"In Open Air" - Butler University Group Exhibit

For the last several months, I have been quietly curating what is shaping up to be one of the best invitational plein air group exhibits of 2018. "In Open Air" is a collection of works by some of the best contemporary, plein air landscape painters working in the United States today. About 6 months ago, I was asked to do a second exhibit in Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University which is a massive exhibition space. I jumped at the opportunity, but asked if I could invite some friends to help me fill the space. As I was wondering who to invite, I looked at my art collection and specifically the inspiration wall in my studio which contains 100+ works by a wide variety of artists. I gravitated towards the artists I plein air paint with all the time and then the plein air painters that I have bought from and collected over the years. I took a shot in the dark and invited a bunch of them. To my surprise, 17 of the 18 artists invited said yes and the one that could not participate is currently on a 5 month long plein air painting road trip and logistically just could not make it work.

I currently own a total of 52 original paintings by 16 of the 17 exhibiting artists and the one artist I don't have a painting from yet is on my short acquisition list. As a painter and an avid art collector, I could not be more thrilled that these artists will be exhibiting in my city. It is an honor to exhibit alongside this group of painters.

The exhibition is at Butler University in the lobby of Clowes Memorial Hall and runs from Tuesday, August 7 to Sunday, October 7. I will be giving a guided tour at the opening reception on Tuesday, August 28 at 6 pm. Mark your calendars, this will not be a show you will want to miss!!

The list of artists includes:

Alison Barry - Southern MA Jason Skyle Conn - Alameda, CA Jed Dorsey - Camano Island, WA Dennis Doyle - Weymouth, MA Jeremy Duncan - Amador County, CA Jessica Green - Indianapolis, IN Danny Griego - San Diego, CA Mike Hernandez - Los Angelos, CA Shawn Krueger - Grand Rapids, MI Aaron Cordell Johnson - Moscow, ID Kyle Ragsdale - Indianapolis, IN Tad Retz - Syracuse, NY Benny Sanders - Indianapolis, IN Caleb Stolzfus - Philadelphia, PA Edward Sprafkin - Phoenix, AZ Stephanie Paige Thomson - Brownsburg, IN Justin Vining - Indianapolis, IN Alicia Zanoni - Indianapolis, IN