We are still in Cafe Sketch mode this month, but we’ll be busting out in April. Check the “Special Word from James” … section below to find out more about upcoming events! Enjoy the season’s changes! Special Note: My thanks for Anne Carrington Asplin for setting up an Asheville Plein Air Instagram page. I’ll add event to it but would love for members to please post their paintings to the page. Link here or go to Menu While it is certainly feeling like spring I have lived in this area long enough to know late season cold snaps are not unusual. At this point I am hesitant to schedule any outdoor paint outs until April. Last year we began outdoors on April 4th, so I will use that as a guideline. Don’t forget that we are sketching this Tuesday, March 12th, at Penny Cup Coffee in Haw Creek (6 Beverly Rd, Asheville, NC 28805). We’ll gather at 9:30 and sketch until 11:30 or thereabout. It’s a fabulous spot with great coffee, yummy treats, and super nice folks. Parking can be a bit tricky but there’s down the street parking if needed. Following that we’ll take a chance and schedule an outdoor session at the always dependable Weaverville Main St. Park on Thursday, March 28th at 10am, a bit later than our usual starting time, which will allow the day to warm a bit. Back up plan! If the weather turns cold we’ll pivot down the street to the fabulous Yellow Mug Coffee shop, located at 113 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787. I will post which site we’ll meet at, at least 48 hours beforehand, both here and on our Facebook page. Perhaps a bit overly optimistic on my part but I know we’re all itching to get outside! Looking ahead: This year’s Azalea Festival at the North Carolina Arboretum is set for Saturday April 27th. I’ve been in touch with Carson Ellis (our contact there) and it seems this year will operate much the same as last. If you couldn’t make it in 2023 you will especially want to attend this one. I am always looking to add in new and workable sites. If you have one in mind PLEASE get as much information as possible and forward it on to me. By my count we painted at 30 different spots last year and building a reserve of other venues will make my task easier. I already have a few new ones lined up and plan to post a tentative schedule by April 1st. A number of folks have asked me about the national Plein Air Convention being held in Cherokee. This is a fabulous week of gathering with painters from all around the country, but as you can tell from their website it costs a very pretty penny. If you’re comfortable spending that much, then by all means do go! I will say that we are in the very early process of bringing in (early May) an artist from California for a three and a half day event that will be affordable to most of us. I don’t want to elaborate further until I have more solid information, but if all goes according to plan it will be wonderful and informative. I promise to keep you posted. See you this Tuesday and beyond. Be well, keep painting, and be kind to yourself and those around you. James What a great turnout this morning at Penny Cup Coffee. Thirteen folks showed up to sketch, enjoy, and share stories. My thanks to everyone! Photos by James Cassara
Pastel artists, and we have several among us, are encouraged to check out the NC Pastel Society at www.appalachianpastelsociety.org They’re looking to expand their numbers in our area and I am sure many of you would be welcomed! If you receive our emails but haven’t yet joined us, NOW IS THE TIME! Don’t be timid! Welcome to all new members & be sure to contact James at jjcassara@gmail.com if you want to be put on the mailing list and join the group! Outdoor paint outs will commence in early April with specific sites to be announced. The schedule will shift, with our • FIRST AND THIRD paint outs of the month on Tuesday, and These changes are to accommodate those who cannot make a specific day of the week, or work a M-F schedule. I understand these changes seem radical and will require some adjusting but, after meeting with former APAP director Sue Dolamore and stalwart member Sandy Moore, I truly feel they’re for the best. I left our meeting feeling optimistic and excited about the future of our group. (James Cassara) In addition to our website and Facebook page I will be sending out weekly reminders 3 or 4 days prior to each paint out. If you wish to receive these reminders you must email me (James) at jjcassara@gmail.com to be added to the list. Please don’t assume because you’ve been a member of the group you’ll automatically be added. In this regard we’re beginning from scratch. If you want to share your paintings for the event day, post them on the Facebook site or send them to Rosemarie and we’ll add them to our galleries for each paint-out. We also have a general gallery for each month which you can share something you’ve done during the month. Also note: If the weather looks very bad we will post to the Facebook page and our website that a paint out has been cancelled. Always check those places the morning of the event to be sure. If the weather is “iffy” it’s left up to your discretion whether or not to go. MARCH
Special Word from James …
Tuesday, March 12 – Penny Cup Coffee – Haw Creek
https://www.ncarboretum.org/…/art-gallery-asheville…/
Likewise with the newly formed Urban Sketchers of Asheville group. I’ve twice gathered with them and they’re a fine group of folks. Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915
…. As one first timer said “thanks to everyone for being so welcoming. It was wonderful to spend time doing what we love.” I couldn’t agree more!Do check out the sidebar here, the Calendar or Facebook for more information.
Happy Painting!
Some changes from previous years:
• SECOND and FOURTH paint outs on Thursday.
• If a month has a FIFTH week, those paint outs will be on Saturday.
A Final Word From James:
email List:
If you would like to be added, please email James Cassara at jjcassara@gmail.com
Next Event!
March 12th – Penny Cup Coffee
Haw Creek (6 Beverly Rd, Asheville, NC 28805)
MAP
Our next scheduled sketch session will be on Tuesday, March 12th, at Penny Cup Coffee in Haw Creek (6 Beverly Rd, Asheville, NC 28805). We’ll gather at 9:30 and sketch until 11:30 or thereabout. It’s a fabulous spot with great coffee, yummy treats, and super nice folks.
Special Note:
I also want to plug two upcoming events. From March 1 through April 14 our friend Chris Jehly will be having an exhibit of his plein air watercolors at Tyger Tyger Gallery in the River Arts District, 191 Lyman Street Suite 144. I’ve been privileged to see a few of Chris’ new works and they’re FANTASTIC. Opening reception is March 1 from 6-8.
Planning ahead
Thursday, March 28th – Weaverville Main St. Park
MAP
Following that we’ll take a chance and schedule an outdoor session at the always dependable Weaverville Main St. Park on Thursday, March 28th at 10am, a bit later than our usual starting time, which will allow the day to warm a bit. Back up plan! If the weather turns cold we’ll pivot down the street to the fabulous Yellow Mug Coffee shop, located at 113 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787. I will post which site we’ll meet at, at least 48 hours beforehand, both here and on our Facebook page. Perhaps a bit overly optimistic on my part but I know we’re all itching to get outside!
Remember to always check the Facebook page, our website, and the weekly Mailchimp for changes. I’ve done my best to create a tentative schedule for the entire year but things do come up, and changes do have to be made.
Planning way ahead …
The North Carolina Arboretum is eager to again have the Asheville Plein Air Painters partner with them for the Azalea Festival. This year’s event was a HUGE hit. So mark those calendars for April 27, 2024. This year they’d also like to host an in-house exhibit of work produced for the festival. It’s going to be great!
Final Note:
If you love to sketch (and who among us doesn’t need more practice?) be sure to check out our “sister” group, The Urban Sketchers Asheville. Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915
Thanks and happy Painting, James