Somerset County Seeks Plein Air Artists for Open Space Project

SOMERVILLE, N.J. —The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners is inviting New Jersey-based Plein Air artists to participate in the “ Open Air, Open Space ” project, an initiative celebrating the county’s public parks system.

Plein air painting, derived from the French phrase “en plein air,” refers to the practice of painting outdoors, allowing artists to capture the natural light and changing conditions of the landscape.

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The project aims to highlight Somerset County’s Open Space Preservation Program, which focuses on conserving land for conservation, active recreation, and passive use.

“We are proud of the open space initiatives that exist in Somerset County,” said Commissioner Melonie Marano, who serves as the liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Open Space Advisory Committee. “These public parks directly benefit communities throughout the county, and I’m excited to see how these talented artists capture these amazing spaces.”

According to a press release from the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, the project invites both amateur and professional artists aged 18 or older to depict the unique natural and recreational features of 14 public parks in the county. Artists will be assigned specific parks based on their preferences, which they can indicate in the Artist Interest Form. Final park assignments will be announced by late September 2024.

Interested artists must submit the Artist Interest Form by Sept. 1, 2024, and complete additional required forms, along with a $25 non-refundable entry fee, by Sept. 10, 2024. The collected entry fees will fund the prize pool for the professionally juried exhibition.

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An opening reception for the exhibit is planned for October 2025, with the artwork displayed in the Cultural & Heritage Gallery at the Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove Street, Somerville, from October to November 2025. A traveling component may follow, showcasing the artwork at various locations throughout the county.

The project is sponsored by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, Somerset County Park Commission, Somerset County Open Space Preservation Program, and the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, with funding support from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Editor's Note: This news article was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

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