Plein Air Art Too At Union Station

Maya Peterson

Despite an ugly rumor on Facebook to the contrary, the Plein Air painting competition in the Ogden Arts Festival is taking place almost even as we speak, here at Union Station.

As I drove in I saw several folks out painting in the morning sun in Ogden's parks, catching that lovely morning light that Utah has in such abundance.

Reggie Peterson

It's all part of the Ogden Arts Festival at Union Station Friday and Saturday. You can find a full schedule and list of activities here (click) . The festival is all taking place around the fountain plaza and the station this year. There's also going to be a car show up and down 25th Street on Friday evening.

Plein Air means the artists have to do their work outdoors, painting something they see in plain sight (plein air) starting last week, deadline of 11 a.m. on Tuesday (today). It's fast and furious painting.

On 25th Street I ran into Reggie Peterson, Taylor, and his daughter, Maya, outside of Rovalli's Restaurant. Dad was painting Rovalli's while Maya was doing the Windsor Hotel. As they painted passers-bye stopped to kibbitz or admire, which is one of the fun things about doing painting outdoors instead of some stuffy old studio.

Plein Air schedule-click to view

You don't have to wander around town looking for folks -- even as I type this the artists are starting to bring their works into Union Station. There will be a reception for the artists -- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE -- from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, the works will be available either as a buy-it-now or on silent auction, so if you see something you really really need, you can get it for sure.

Or take your chances.

Kelly Donovan, Corinne, took honors for first to turn his work in at 10:30 a.m. because he had somewhere else he has to be. He turned in two paintings.

More are coming, and so should you.

Kelly Donovan