The Experience, Alameda: Frank Bette Center for the Arts Plein Air Art Exhibit

The Experience:

Artists Painted Alameda With Vigor!

The Frank Bette Plein Air art exhibit painted a lively picture of Alameda throughout the plaza at South Shore Center last Saturday. Some scenes were serene and others quite vibrant, capturing Victorian houses, produce markets, boats on the water, yacht clubs, scenic gardens, iconic storefronts, and even city hall. En Plein Air means ‘in the open air’ and refers to painting outdoors with your subject in full view, capturing it in that moment of time.

Artists came to Alameda from all over the U.S. to participate in this annual event. Marie Massey came from Colorado for the week-long paintout. “Painting in Alameda is a homecoming for me,” says Massey. ” I grew up in Alameda and walked to and from my home on Mozart Street through the Gold Coast to Franklin Elementary, Will C. Wood Middle School, and then Encinal High School. I remember when I was 8, the first time we turned onto Mozart Street and how magical it seemed: a one block, tree lined street with colorful Victorians. It was so fun to return and paint with the Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout.” Her painting ‘The Red Umbrella’ is featured here and is the winner of the PAPO Award, which means is will be featured for the 2022 Frank Bette Plein Air Exhibit.

Marie uses a Painting in Layers method, developed by Artist, Barbara Marquardt, that combines the Renaissance artists’ concepts of Chiarscuro with color ideas from the Impressionist painters. Marie’s work has been described as American Impressionism, distinguished by exciting use of brilliant color, unique composition, and elements of expressionism.

Paintings from the 2021 Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout will be on view August 13 – September 25 in the Main Gallery, with the Opening Reception on Friday, August 13 from 7-9pm.. The Frank Bette Center for the Arts is open Fri – Sun, 11am-5pm.

About Frank Bette Center for the Arts

Frank Bette Center for the Arts is committed to three objectives: Support Personal Artistic Growth, Enrich the Art Experience of Everyone in Our Community, and Cultivate Appreciation for the Value of the Arts.