Professional Division
1st Place – “Aspen Grove" by Natalie Shupe
2nd Place – “Hillside Aspens" by Tony Hilscher
3rd Place – “Sarvis Creek" by Adam Zabel
Honorable Mention – “Love on the Rocks" by David Harms
Honorable Mention – “Afternoon Catch" by Kathleen Lanzoni
Honorable Mention – “Afternoon Catch" by Janet Anderson
Open Division
1st Place – “Aspen Shadows" by Holly Kernes
2nd Place – “Going with the Flow" by Sue Cable
3rd Place – “Fetching Afternoon at the Pond" by Pam Froemke
Awards of Excellence
Historic Routt County – “Two Rabbits" by Kristin A. Hogan
Main Street Steamboat – “Space Station" by Stacey Rhoades
Main Street Farmers Market – “Lively Market" by Kathleen Lanzoni
Friends of the Yampa – “North Fork Elk River" by Natalie Shupe
Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust – “North of Yampa" by Alex Wicks
Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp – “Morning at Perry-Mansfield" by Nancy Lewis
STEAMBOAT ART MUSEUM
PLEIN AIR 2023 | EVENTS & EXHBIT
Friday, September 22 – Sunday, September 29, 2023
Exhibit on display and for sale at SAM September 30 – November 4, 2023
(Natalie Shupe with her 2023 Plein Air Professional Division 1st place work, “Aspen Grove")
SAM’s Plein Air Event brings together the community and visitors with 50 artists from near and far as they paint on location.
Showcasing the beauty of the Yampa Valley, the art that is created during this extraordinary week spotlights historic landmarks, ranches, the landscape, the community of Steamboat Springs and our growing arts and cultural offerings.
This event is uniquely Steamboat!
This is becoming a popular event among plein air artists because of Steamboat’s hospitality and breathtaking scenery. Again, this year, there will be many unique events to get to know the artists and the judge, and to purchase artwork. A great opportunity to start or add to your collection.
Mark your Calendars! Plein Air 2024 September 20-27.
Artist Registration begins January 15, 2024.
2023 Featured Artist & Guest Judge
For more information on our Plein Air 2023 Featured Artist and Guest Judge, Kathleen Hudson, be sure to click the button below.
SAM Plein Air 2023 Sponsorships
Your 2023 Plein Air Sponsorship gives SAM the opportunity to recognize your support throughout the year. Your generosity will be highlighted during Plein Air 2023 week on event advertising, promotional materials, newsletters, website, social media, and signage at all Plein Air 2023 events according to your level of support.
8,000 guests visit Plein Air events, including “Quickdraw" at the Farmers Market (Sept 24th), Sunset Reception (Sept 28th), the Plein Air Opening Sept 29th, and exhibit September 30th thru Nov 4, 2023!
We invite you to consider supporting SAM with a 2023 Plein Air Sponsorship at any level.
Thank you!
~ Your Friends at SAM
Plein Air Sponsorship Levels
We invite you to support SAM with your Plein Air Annual Sponsorship today.
Please contact Betse Grassby, Executive Director, at 970-870-1755 ext. 100 or
betse@steamboatartmuseum.org for more information.
Thank you for your generosity!
2023 ARTIST REGISTRATION FORMS
To expedite the artist check-in process, please print the three forms below, complete and bring to the Artist Check-In at SAM on Friday, Sept. 22nd.
2023 ARTIST SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 22 – Artist Check-In at SAM and Open Paint Day (807 Lincoln Ave)
8am – 5pm
- Artists check-in and turn in paperwork for registration
- *Note* – Please feel free to fill out Registration Forms BEFORE you come to SAM, or we will have copies on hand.
- Get your canvases/paper for the week stamped.
- Artist Info Packets and SWAG bags distributed. (Please read ALL materials!)
Saturday, Sept 23 – QUICK DRAW at the Main Street Farmer’s Market (7th and Yampa Streets | Suggested Boundaries – from 5th -9th, and the River to Lincoln Ave.)
- 9:00 am: Market opens. Artists arrive and check in at SAM tent (near 8th and Yampa) for exclusive Quick Draw canvas/paper stamp. Find location to paint!
- You may tint canvas and plan your sketch on paper (not on the canvas or paper you will be painting on, please) before 10am.
- 10:00 am: Bell rings and artists begin painting.
- 12:00 pm: Artists stop painting and begin framing. Artists responsible for bringing frames and your own framing materials. (Don’t forget your wire!).
- All paintings to be displayed on the easel you bring, so please plan accordingly. Your painting easel is fine. No table easels please.
- 12:30 pm – Judging for Main Street Farmer’s Market Award of Excellence. Painting sales begin, but no artwork to leave premises until award is announced.
- Through 2:00 pm – Artwork for sale. Please stay with your artwork until sold or QD sale is over.
- 12:30 pm – Lunch available for Artists ~ at SAM Tent.
Sunday, September 24 – Explore the Yampa Valley on your own or paint at a private location arranged by SAM. (Location TBA)
*NOTE: Private locations are not open to the public. Locations will not be announced until opening day of the Event (Sept. 22, 2023)
Monday, September 25 – Explore the Yampa Valley on your own or paint at a private location arranged by SAM. (Location TBA)
*NOTE: Private locations are not open to the public. Locations will not be announced until opening day of the Event (Sept. 22, 2023)
Tuesday, September 26 – Explore the Yampa Valley on your own or paint at a private location arranged by SAM. (Location TBA)
*NOTE: Private locations are not open to the public. Locations will not be announced until opening day of the Event (Sept. 22, 2023)
Wednesday, September 27 – Explore the Yampa Valley on your own or paint at Alpine Mountain Ranch (site of that evening’s reception), or at another Private Location arranged by SAM. (Location TBA)
*NOTE: Private locations are not open to the public. Locations will not be announced until opening day of the Event (Sept. 22, 2023)
- 5:00-7:00pm – SUNSET RECEPTION AND SALE with Plein Air Artists and Patrons, underwritten by Alpine Mountain Ranch, at the Alpine Mountain Ranch Lakehouse.
- Paint, enjoy wine and apps, meet patrons, and display one piece of framed work from the week for sale. Please bring your easel for display. Artists responsible for bringing frames and your own framing materials.
- Artists attend for free. Artist’s spouses/partners pay full price of $100.
All artists: Please be at Alpine Mountain Ranch with your artwork on your easel and paperwork by 4:00 pm.
Thursday, September 28th – Main Street Steamboat Day – Paint Downtown Steamboat (optional), or explore the Yampa Valley on your own.
SAM open at 8 am- Paint the town!
*NOTE: Private locations are not open to the public. Locations will not be announced until opening day of the Event (Sept. 22, 2023)
- 9:00am – 4:00 pm: Painting Drop Off at SAM – (and briefly after Kathleen Hudson’s presentation)
-
- Consignment Forms will be available on website, and at SAM, at check-in
- All paintings must be framed, wired, and ready to hang. All pieces must hang on the wall- no table easels, or pedestals, please. Gallery wrap canvases should have finished sides.
- *Please anchor the wire no more than 1/3 down from the top of the frame. Do not allow a lot of slack in the wire, ideally when pulled tight the arc of wire will be about 2 inches or more below the top of the frame. This helps paintings to hang flatter with our hanging system*
Artists may submit 3- 5 paintings for sale, and all paintings must be dropped off at the same time. Painting drop-off is all day Thursday Sept 28, 9am – 4pm. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS, NO EXCEPTIONS, NO LATE SUBSTITUTIONS!
- 5:00 – 6:00 pm: AN EVENING WITH KATHLEEN HUDSON at SAM – Q & A’s with the renowned artist and 2023 judge about her art and career.
Friday, Sept. 29 – Installation & Opening Reception at SAM
- 8 am – 1 pm: Museum staff and volunteers Exhibit installation, tag printing, and Opening set-up.
- 2:00 – 3:30 pm: Kathleen Hudson and Awards of Excellence Judging
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm: Opening and Sale for Art Benefactor Members ($250 and up)
- 5:00 – 8:00 pm: Public Reception and Sale
- 6:00 pm: Awards Ceremony
September 30 – November 5th, 2023: SAM Plein Air Exhibition open to the public.
- Museums closed Sundays and Mondays throughout exhibition, including Sunday, Oct 1
Saturday, Nov. 5 – Final Day of Exhibition, Unsold Painting Pick-Up
- 11am – 6pm: Artists pick-up unsold art at SAM
- SAM will be closed from 11/06 to 12/02! Make arrangements with Dottie early!
Additional Information:
- Please paint within a 50-mile radius of Steamboat Springs.
- Please plan on displaying your artwork on your easel, or a display easel that you bring, at the Quick Draw (9/23) and the Sunset Reception (9/27). No table easels please.
- The Museum will often be closed during painting days unless we are preparing for an event. Staff will be at painting locations or painting also. The Plein Air 2023 stamp will be available at the Museum Store or with SAM staff at painting locations.
- The SAM Museum Store will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-5pm, where art supplies are available for purchase.
- Directions/maps to scheduled painting sites are included in your DAY-TO-DAY INFO (in your packet at registration) and will also be posted on the door of SAM every morning. You do not need to meet at SAM first.
Steamboat Art Museum Contacts:
If you have any questions or need to meet with SAM staff, feel free to call any of the staff members’ cell phones listed below.
- Steamboat Art Museum.
- Main Number: (970) 870-1755
- Dottie Zabel, Plein Air Coordinator/Director of Operations.
- Email: sam@steamboatartmuseum.org
- Cell: (970) 819-4270
- Dancy St. John, Plein Air Coordinator/Curator.
- Email: grants@steamboatartmuseum.org;
- Cell: (970) 846-0507
- Betse Grassby, Executive Director.
- Email: betse@steamboatartmuseum.org
- Cell: (970) 846-6165
- Chris Gallion, Special Events.
- Email: chris@steamboatartmuseum.org
- Cell: (970) 846-5299
- Dona Steele, Education Coordinator/Artist.
- Email: education@steamboatartmuseum.org
- Cell: (239) 293-7864
- Lindsey McDonough, Executive Assistant.
- Email: lindsey@steamboatartmuseum.org
- Cell: (330) 224-8854
- Susie Pace, Museum Store Manager.
- Email: museumstore@steamboatartmuseum.org
- Cell: (208) 946-0101
Please don’t miss the SAM Museum Store!!!
We are one of the few places that you can find quality art supplies in town, and there are other creative and interesting gifts to explore. Show your name badge and you will receive 10% off your purchase!
