Legacy Members

Legacy Membership

Legacy Membership is a lifetime distinction honoring members who have made a lasting impact through their dedication to plein air painting, involvement in SPAP, and generosity in sharing their experience and talents.

Their artistic accomplishments and contributions have helped strengthen our community, encourage fellow artists, and advance the appreciation of plein air painting.

Legacy Membership celebrates the enduring value of these members’ work and the meaningful place they hold in SPAP’s history. We are grateful for their contributions and welcome their continued participation in opportunities to paint, connect, and celebrate art together.

Joyce Nelson
Legacy Member | Sonoran Plein Air Painters

Joyce Nelson has played an important role in the history and growth of Sonoran Plein Air Painters, contributing both her artistic talents and years of dedicated service to the organization. Throughout her membership, Joyce has generously shared her time and leadership, serving as Paint Out Chair, Membership Chair, and Vice President. Her passion for plein air painting is reflected in her award-winning work, including First Place at the 2009 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum exhibition and Third Place at the 2014 Agua Caliente exhibition. Inspired by the historic barrios and landscapes of Southern Arizona, her paintings have been featured in numerous exhibitions, including at Tucson International Airport, which acquired one of her works for its permanent collection in 2011. Joyce's generosity, leadership, and commitment to fostering a vibrant community of artists have helped shape the organization and leave a meaningful legacy for its members.

Kurt Anderson
Legacy Member | Sonoran Plein Air Painters

Kurt Anderson is an accomplished oil painter, author, and educator whose longstanding association with Sonoran Plein Air Painters dates back to its early years as the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society. Recognized as a Signature Member in 2002, Kurt earned numerous honors in the organization's exhibitions, including First Place awards in the 2003 and 2004 Annual Quick Draw competitions, Best in Show at the 2004 Distinguished Artists Member Show, and an Award of Excellence at the 2018 Sonoran Plein Air Painters Annual Exhibition. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Kurt has enjoyed a distinguished artistic career, earning national recognition for his paintings and serving in prominent leadership roles with Oil Painters of America, including President and Executive Director. His artistic achievements and longstanding involvement with the organization reflect the excellence and dedication to plein air painting that SPAP proudly recognizes through Legacy Membership.