Sunday, September 17, 2017

Paint the Farm! September 30th

Paint the Farm 9-30-2017 Info Card

Artists and History Lovers Unite September 30th

On Saturday, September 30th, the Middlebury Land Trust,  the Town of Middlebury’s Land Preservation and Open Space Committee (LPOS) and Pomperaug Outdoor Painters will host a one-day “plein air” (outdoor) paintout from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the annual Farm Tour Day at Brookdale Farm, 55 Artillery Road, Middlebury CT.  Tours of the farm will begin at 11:00 a.m.  Rain Date:  October 7th.  

The Middlebury Land Trust, Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit membership corporation formed to acquire and preserve land or conservation easements to maintain and preserve a healthy, attractive and balanced environment for living in the Town of Middlebury. It seeks to preserve natural areas, including forests, meadows, swamps, marshes, ponds and streams which contribute to and enhance the rural nature of the Town.  Brookdale Farm is a beautiful private 66 acre site featuring open fields, Victorian-era barn and home buildings.  Painters may also find the adjacent pond, graveyard,  and wetland area ripe with subject matter.  History buffs will enjoy the many interesting features of the farm, founded in the 1790's, like the chestnut framing and siding, a spring-fed water supply in operation since 1880, and the history of the Fenn family.  The barns are painted an unusual color of vibrant yellow.  Rob Fenn says, "It was chosen by my Father, because it was the color of my grandmother's pudding, a favorite of my Father."  

Optional Quick Draw:  there will be an optional "quick draw" competition with prizes during the event from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Link http://bit.ly/2wpd5u4 to download registration form and preregister.   All artists need to supply their own equipment and materials.  Artists may use oils, pastels, watercolor, acrylics or graphite, but must paint outside the day of the event.  

A "quick draw" competition is a timed painting event.  All registered artists begin with a blank canvas, stamped by MLT at the welcome table, and begin to paint at 9:30 a.m. and stop painting at 11:30 a.m.  Artists bring their artwork to the judging area at 11:30 a.m. for judging for Best of Show ($300) by guest artist Tom Adkins of Southbury, CT.  Visitors to the Farm Day will cast their votes for "People's Choice" award ($200).  Participating artists may cast their ballots for "Artist's Choice" award ($100).  Prizes and awards will be announced at 12:30 p.m.  Paintings will be for sale the day of the event, and a portion of onsite sales will be donated to the Middlebury Land Trust to support land conservation programs.  

The Middlebury Land Trust, Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit membership corporation formed to acquire and preserve land or conservation easements to maintain and preserve a healthy, attractive and balanced environment for living in the Town of Middlebury. It seeks to preserve natural areas, including forests, meadows, swamps, marshes, ponds and streams which contribute to and enhance the rural nature of the Town.  Brookdale Farm is a beautiful private 66 acre site featuring open fields, Victorian-era barn and home buildings.  Painters may also find the adjacent pond, graveyard,  and wetland area ripe with subject matter.  Middlebury Land Trust will offer free hotdogs, and there are excellent restaurants nearby.  
Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) is a plein air painting group formed locally to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and preservation of natural landscapes.  
For additional information, please contact Ellie Boyd, (203) 429-4356, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com 

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