Quinte En Plein Air 2023

The 8th annual Quinte en Plein Air hosted by the Quinte Arts Council brought artists from all over Ontario to Belleville and the Bay of Quinte from June 22-25 for our biggest festival to date. Artists took their canvases out into the community to paint the views in the open air and compete for almost $5000 in prizes! 

New this year was a two-hour paint off competition! Sponsored by Belleville Downtown District BIA, artists had two hours to paint the same historic downtown scene in their artistic style and medium. Kishor Sonawane won $200 with a completed watercolour image of downtown featuring City Hall in the background. 

There were events for the whole community; professional artist and instructor, Andrew Hamilton led a Plein Air Demonstration to showcase techniques used in en plein air painting in downtown Belleville on the Saturday.  Hamilton then led a group of excited artists out to the Moira River to learn how to paint en plein air in Brush with Nature. There was also a chance for those who wanted to get their hands dirty and brush the sidewalks with chalk located outside the QAC – thanks to the QAC Summer Students for facilitating this project.

It was a full house for the final reception, awards and sale. Professional artist and juror, Valerie Kent, made the presentations. The complete gallery of work is available on the QAC website. If you are interested in owning any of these beautiful works of art, send us an email and we will connect you with the artist. Thank you to the City of Belleville and to the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board for their ongoing support of this festival.

Winners:

 

First Prize $1000:

“Belleville Marina” by Steven Snider

 

Second Prize $750: 

“Roses in the Vineyard” by Linda Barber

 

Third Prize $500:

“Diva’s Hats” by Lisa Leskien

 

Best Bay of Quinte $500:

“Above the Dock” by David St. Pierre 

 

Best Downtown $500:

“Front Street” by Kishor Sonawane

 

Mayor’s Choice $500:

 “City Hall” by David St. Pierre

 

People’s Choice $150: 

“Evening Reflection” – Yuriy Omelyankenko

 

Honourable Mention:

 

Harriet Philip’s House – Ted Yao

Pathways – M.A. Simms

Banks on the Moira – Roderik Mayne

Meyers Mill with St. Michael’s Church – Roderik Mayne

Pretty Path – Jane Robertson

Front of Paulos – Stephen Snider

Reflections – M.A. Simms

Waiting for the Weekend – Linda Barber

Green in the Ally – Bev Shepherd

Glanmore – Daniel Fobert

Driftwood, Foster Park – Frank Cruzet

On the Rocks – Chris Finkle