Parrsboro Plein Air Festival is a Painter’s Paradise
Lawrence Nicoll Photography
“I made new connections and have definitely been smitten by the landscape and community of the area. I’ll be back, come hell or high tide!”
MacKnight’s words reflect what we all know and love about Parrsboro, and this year’s plein air festival was no exception. After the artists’ Meet-and-Greet on Thursday afternoon, the artists bounded away with anticipation for the creative opportunities surrounding them; from soaring cliffs to gentle streams, sturdy 200 million year-old islands to delicate late summer blossoms, there was something to captivate each painter’s imagination. With plein air painting (and the Nova Scotia weather), time is always of the essence. Scenes changed dramatically before their eyes, and the possibility of rain kept everyone on their toes throughout the weekend, but such is the thrill and challenge of painting en plein air! The pressure was on, and the artists set off to produce some of PIPAF’s most beautiful paintings thus far in only two days’ time.
What is plein air painting?
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Joy Laking and Sharon Fox Cranston sharing a laugh at the Thursday Artists’ Meet-and-Greet. Lawrence Nicoll Photography
Artists’ Tales
Our nineteen Atlantic-Canadian artists had free rein within our festival boundaries from Advocate to Economy, but many actually stayed very close to the “heart” of the action — demonstrating that right here in Parrsboro we are surrounded with a stunning array of diverse and inspiring scenery within only a few kilometres’ radius.
Here are some of the artists’ tales from the weekend:
“Parrsboro is blessed with natural beauty, yet I took great interest in painting at “The Bone Yard”, filled with rust, dust and decay. It’s like being a rebel artist, but also like being a visual historian. Some family once ran a business in that now abandoned gallery. Someone once drove that funky truck. How many times did that now-dilapidated fishing boat ply the waters of the Bay of Fundy? My paintings record but a point in time as these relics fade along with their stories. I feel special being the sole historian of The Bone Yard this PIPAF 2021.”
“PIPAF boundaries offered a true buffet of scenic landscapes! And the locals were so supportive and inviting - twice inviting me to set up on their property to paint their amazing views! Painting in and around Parrsboro is like bringing a tiny dessert plate to a huge buffet - just no way to get all that eye-candy onto your plate - so pick a few fantastic views and savour every moment. Thank you PIPAF for the feast!”
“On the first night of PIPAF, I wanted to paint the moon over Partridge Island. The moon was almost full, the night was clear, and the moonlight shone on Minas Basin.
I insisted that Edward drop me off to paint on a very, very dark dirt road 5km from town and 500m from the Airbnb. We were to paint a nocturne with little light other than the moon and a reading light. I use a duel-style reading light that looks like two bright eyes, if you looked at me. I can barely tell what colour is what in the dark! About 2/3 through my painting, I heard a grunt or a snort from behind me in the woods. It sent shivers up my spine. Not what you want to hear alone on a very dark dirt road! I don’t know if it was a deer, a coyote, or a bear! I wasn’t waiting around to find out! I hurried to finish, pack up, and walk back to our Airbnb. The owner rushed out and helped me in. I must have looked a sight wearing my huge pack, a hat, duel “headlights” carrying my easel, flag, and painting. So, I titled my nocturne I Might Have Heard a Bear.””
Some quotes have been edited for length and clarity.
Once they had been painting for only two days, the time came to turn in their paintings to The Hall for the grand reveal of 2-3 of their best pieces.
Don Pentz was the grand winner at the Saturday night Awards Gala for his painting “Rock Face”. From left to right: Stephanie (Parrsboro Creative Interim Executive Director), Don Pentz, Michael Fuller (PIPAF Chair), and Ian Muncaster (PIPAF 2021 Judge). Lawrence Nicoll Photography
The Awards Gala
After the paintings rushed in by 5pm on Saturday, Ian Muncaster set to work judging the fifty-two paintings. All were beautiful and expertly made, but there were a special few that could take one’s breath away, having captured the magic and spirit of the Bay of Fundy. Gala attendees perused the paintings, made their purchases, and then waited with baited breath on the announcement of this year’s winners.
Best in Show: Don Pentz
2nd Place: Michel Doucet
3rd Place: Louise Hicks
Best Nocturne: Sharon Fox Cranston
Best Seascape: Denise Lanterman
Best Use of Light: Oliver Hatton
Best Watercolour: Christopher Gorey
People's Choice: Alexander Koltakov
Each of these artists won cash prizes, product awards, and the chance to be featured at Canada’s oldest commercial art gallery: Zwicker’s Gallery in Halifax. Their work is there on display now, and can be viewed until October 16, 2021!
An 11-year-old Quick Draw artist painting Art Lab Studios & Gallery in watercolour. Lawrence Nicoll Photography
Quick Draw: A Public Contest for All!
The weekend closed with one final flurry: Quick Draw, the beloved annual event where the public can put their skills to the test against our juried artists and compete for small cash prizes! Quick draw is truly for everyone, and the spectacle of it makes the event a town favourite. Artists of any medium, age, or experience level are welcome and encouraged to partake, which creates a diverse array of beautiful works.
Armed with a great set of volunteers, PIPAF welcomed a total of thirty-three artists, who came early to get their canvases stamped before being set loose on the town at “high noon” for their mere two hours of painting time. This year presented the challenge of strong winds whipping through town and threatening to topple easels (and artists, for that matter). However, the weather is no match for a great group of plein air painters… this is a resilient group prepared for anything nature blows their way.
First Place ($150): Susan Paterson
Second Place ($100): Michel Doucet
Third Place ($50): Julia Purcell
A photo of PIPAF: Atlantic 2021’s talented group plus festival organizers. Lawrence Nicoll Photography
A Warm Thank-You… and PIPAF 2022!?
Traditionally, PIPAF is held annually in June, but this year it took place in September due to COVID-19. We are excited to share that the dates for PIPAF 2022 have been decided… but will the festival be in spring or fall? June or September? We will be announcing next year’s dates in the coming months, so click the link below to follow us on Facebook to ensure you don’t miss that exciting announcement!
Parrsboro Creative and the PIPAF Committee would like to extend a warm thank-you to everyone who made this event possible.
To our community members in the Parrsboro area, thank you for your PIPAF enthusiasm and support, and for welcoming our artists with open arms. Similarly, to our Partners, shop owners, inns, restaurants and fellow community organizations, thank you for making Parrsboro a cultural centre in which it is so pleasant to live, work, create, and play.
To everyone who came to Parrsboro for PIPAF weekend, we were so happy to see you! Thank you for coming, it means a lot to us to have you here.
To our sponsors, your support of the fine arts is integral to the creative health of our community. Thank you for your essential support of this festival.
2021 Sponsors and Supporters: Masstown Market, O'Regan's, The Beach House on Hatfield Rd/Liz Yorke, Hicks Lemoine Lawyers, Wheaton’s Irving, Harrison’s Home Hardware, Property Guys, RE/MAX County Line Realty Ltd., Superline Fuels, BlackRock Bistro, Autumn Harrison Royal LePage Cumberland Realty, Parrsboro Co-op, Glooscap Family Restaurant, Smith's Funeral Home, Ken's Grocery, CE Sargent & Son Ltd., Gillespie House Inn, The Maple Inn, Tory Rushton (MLA) (Supporter), Lenore Zann (Supporter), Archway Insurance, Two Islands Brewing, Harbourview Restaurant, Plein Air Magazine, The East Mag, Gamblin Artist Colours, and the Canadian Society for Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC).
To Lawrence Nicoll, thank you for capturing so many exquisite moments of our festival. Your diligence and passion are greatly appreciated.
To our volunteers, thank you for your help, perseverance, and quick thinking during busy and hectic times!
And last but not least, our artists, without whom we would be nothing. The quality and brilliance of your paintings amaze us, and your warmth and camaraderie excite us to do it all again next year! We are so grateful that you chose to share your talent with us.
