A plein air painting by artist Rick Dziak.

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council proudly presents “A Plein Air Experience” at The Arts Garage (TAG) featuring plein air artworks from northwestern Ohio artists affectionately called “The Group.”

“The Group” is a loosely-knit group of northwest Ohio artists who join to paint every Monday around Ottawa County and at TAG in the winter. Join GPCAAC for an opening reception of the show on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at The Arts Garage (TAG) at 317 W. Perry St., Port Clinton. This is a free event and open to the public.

The Group will also feature a “A Plein Air Experience” on every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at TAG. Most artwork on display will be for sale.

For more information, contact GPCAAC Press Secretary Jessica Denton by email at jessicadenton@yahoo.com.

The plein air approach – painting outdoors – became popular in the early 1800s and was fundamental to impressionism, especially by the French Impressionists, the famous artists Van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir and Sisley.

The Group, a few local artists who gather at different locations each week to create plein air artworks, will present “A Plein Air Experience” on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at The Arts Garage in Port Clinton.

Several years ago, local artist Rick Dziak created a plein air group of painters, affectionately known as The Group. Every Monday in favorable weather, anywhere from 12 to 20 artists meet for breakfast to laugh and talk, and then choose a location at which to paint.

Longtime members of The Group, Benjamin Budd and Mark DeLong, have high regard for their plein air experiences. Budd, a watercolor artist, says, “I have art in my bones, I’ve been drawing and painting since high school. When I paint plein air I remember a beautiful day in nature; my paintings are memories.”

Pastel artist DeLong says, “Besides the joy of painting, I have made great friends in the Dziaks and others in The Group. When I met Rick and Mary, they were so nice and relaxed. It was easy for me to join The Group and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Perhaps the newest and youngest member of The Group, Shelby Bork, says it best.

“It’s become a community for me. It’s important to interact with other artists,” said Bork. “As someone new to the area, being included in The Group has been very special for me.”