A historic art gallery is once again hosting artists to paint the Foothills.
The Leighton Art Centre’s 80 acres and outlook over the Foothills is the definition of a painterly landscape, and on Sept. 8-10, visitors and members of the LAC can do just that in their Paint the Foothills 2023 event.
“You get to be outside in the wonderful Alberta Foothills landscape, painting on the spot, in the moment, before the light or weather changes,” said Lindsay Corbet, manager of exhibitions, events and volunteers for the LAC.
“Then it’s also just a great excuse to come out and use the 80 acres of the property so people can come bring out any kind of material with pencil crayons, oil paints, watercolours and just pick a spot and paint whatever inspires them.”
The event also features a Plein Air Competition, running Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For the competition portion, a membership is required, which runs $50 per year, and the registration deadline is Sept. 7 at 11:30 p.m.
“This year we’re extending until 8 o’clock Friday, because a lot of people wanted to paint with the sunset,” Corbet said.
The event is near and dear to her, as a favourite format of one of their co-founders.
“One of our founders, A.C. Leighton, he was a plein air painter,” Corbet said.
“What I love about plein air painting, is it’s painting what’s in front of you quickly, essentially creating a more authentic painting and not worrying about the little details, or fussing about perfection.”
Artists can also make the visit into a family affair, Corbet added, by bringing along their budding artists.
“We also always encourage that it's open to any ages, so we’ve had kids come out and do plein air with their parents, which is kind of fun, and it’s also a bring-your-own-picnic,” she said.
The Leighton was able to offer free plein air workshops the weekend prior, with funding from Alberta Culture Days.
The works are judged on the Sunday with cash prizes for first, second and third places. The public can also cast a vote for the Rose Baxter People's Choice Award.
Artists can also opt to put their works up for sale for the event.
The event was made possible with funding from Alberta Culture Days, as well as the Okotoks Arts Council.
It is also now a part of southern Alberta’s plein air circuit, Come Paint Alberta, in collaboration with the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Rosebud Art Collective, Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery and Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage.
More information can be found at LeightonCentre.org.
