6 Countries Participate in WORLDWIDE PAINTING

EVENT

Some of the World’s most talented outdoor painters

brought their paint boxes and easels to paint the
magnificence of Niagara Falls in a Worldwide Painting
Event. Globally landscape painters who work outside
in the open air (pleinair) painted on location at
predetermined locations on September 8 – 10th. This
pleinair tradition began in the 1800's but has recently
taken on a universal comeback. The sponsoring
organization worked at making this the largest paint
out in history. Groups of artists in six countries signed
up to participate. The event in Niagara Falls ended
with an exhibition and reception where awards were
given for outstanding work. There were nine artists in
attendance from the lower region of the State of New
York which included Garin Baker, Patricia Dunn, Shawn
Dell Joyce, Laura Martinez- Bianco, Margaret Morales,
Linda Richichi, Penny Thelman, Bruce Thorne and
LitaThorne. Three New York State artists were
awarded. They are Garin Baker, New Windsor,NY with
an IPAP Members Award, Patricia Dunn, Sparrowbush,
NY, with an Honorable Mention in the Quick Draw
Competition and a Purchase Award, for Best of Show
to Linda Richichi, Newburgh, NY.
The event had the support of bothThe City of Niagara
Falls, Ontario and The City of Niagara Falls, New York.
The purchased painting, Colors of Niagara, an 11 x 14”
pastel of the Canadian Falls by Richichi will be a part
of the permanent collection of the City of Niagara
Falls, Ontario, Canada and will hang in Mayor Ted
Salci’soffice. "I love the winning artwork. It is
incredibly
beautiful and will look great alongside our other
displayed pieces. " commented Mayor Salci. “ What
an honor to have the support of two city governments
of neighboring countries behind us.” responded
Richichi who is a Signature Member of both the
International and New York PleinAir Painters. This is
the first time both cities were involved in this event.
Mayor Vince Anello of Niagara Falls, New York, USA
was in attendance and congratulated all the
participants.

Attending artists were informed that because of the

vision of oneartist named Frederic Church from the
original Hudson River School of Art in the 1800’s, the
area around Niagara Falls became a protected site so
that it could be appreciated for generations to come.
"Art adds to a community, attracts a core of people
who are intelligent, creative and bring new ideas. They
have a lot of energy, which is a really wonderful thing
for a community to have." says International Plein Air
Painters ( IPAP) founder Jacqueline Baldini at the 2006
Worldwide Painting Event in Niagara Falls, Ontario,
Canada.

Pleinair artists seek the quality of natural light and

atmosphere outdoors. Their art workis in direct
response to the beauty they find in nature. They use
a variety of media, from oils, through watercolors and
pastels. “We had a great time and it was magnificent
painting the falls, it was awesome.” exclaims
GarinBaker, a muralist whose work includes the Trestle
Project currently underway in Newburgh, NY. “I had an
enjoyable time and felt welcome and at home, the
views were spectacular.” adds Patricia Dunn, a
member of the newly formed Wallkill River School in
the lower Hudson Valley, NY.

This event was the fourth WORLDWIDE group event

hosted in Niagara Falls. Local artists who chose not to
travel to Niagara Falls participatedin this worldwide
painting event at a location in Nyack, New York.
Members of the NY Plein Air Painters (NYPAP) which
includes many artists from the New York City
areaparticipated as well. Each week members of the
NYPAP and IPAP are gathered in groups in cities and
countrysidescapturing their surroundings. IPAP, with
members who reside throughout the World, is the
blanket organization for individual plein air groups and
was created for the sole purpose of advancing the
execution and enjoyment of pleinair painting without
limitations of borders or regions. Its members share
inspiration and encouragement both on the Internet
and at "paint outs". "My sense was that visitors to the
park really enjoyed our presence and the chance to
watch art in the making. I can't tell you how many
people stopped to watch, talk, and ask if they could
have their picture taken with me and my work on the
easel. People of every
imaginable nationality. Niagara Falls is truly a
cosmopolitan place." says Karl Eric Leitzel, third place
award winner in the Quick Draw competition from PA
and the founder of the Landscape Artists International
which is a group of professional artists that are visible
through the internet. "Art is a connecting force. It is
the universal language and pulls people together. "
adds Richichi.

If you would like to participate or learn more about

IPAP you may go directly to the website at www.i-p-a-
p.com, or call the Regional Ambassador at 845 567-
0060.