New Exhibit, opening Sunday, June 1 - October 31 2025
The Sound of Rocks and Wind
Sonoran Plein Air Painters
"The Sound of Rocks and Wind” is a juried exhibition of art by the Sonoran Plein Air Painters. Representing a range of media such as oil paint, acrylic, watercolor, ink, and pastel. Celebrating the raw beauty and spirit of the Southwest, these plein air artists capture the essence of landscapes and skies, both dramatic and serene.
Each artist brings a very personal vision to their understanding of the desert. From choice of scenery to execution, what we witness is a tour of places that reflect the human experience out of doors, away from the comforts of man-made environments. We need reminding that the land and sky are our mothers, where life comes from.
Can an image capture sound? Can you hear a scene? If you listen closely, the Saguaros sing as the wind blows across their spines, whistling and vibrating like instruments. Each painting in this exhibit is a tribute to the power, vulnerability, voice, and stillness of the desert, inviting viewers to experience its profound and unique presence.
The Sonoran Plein Air Painters paint "en plein air," which translates from French to "in the open air." There is a unique challenge to painting in this way. The light is constantly shifting, the weather can present difficulties, and all materials, including easels, must be carried to and from the location. Plein air painters embrace these challenges and find joy in the experience of creating art on-site. The Sonoran Plein Air Painters seek out natural settings that offer both physical and atmospheric beauty. At times, these scenes cannot be captured by photographs in a way that conveys the full impression of being there in person. The process of studying a landscape and blending the artist's impression with careful observation is what leads to the creation of a landscape painting. The creation becomes not only a work of art but also a memento of a fleeting moment in life.
This exhibit will be on view through October 31, 2025.
