Artists from around the country will capture the beautiful architecture and fall scenery in Central City, Colo. from September 25 - 27
CENTRAL CITY, Colo., September 8, 2020 – Central City Opera, in partnership with the City of Central and the Gilpin County Arts Association, announces the third annual Central City Plein Air Festival from September 25 through September 27, 2020. Artists from around the country will gather in the historic mountain town for three days of outdoor painting, a Quick Draw Competition, Easel Sale and an Exhibition and Awards Reception. Most events are free to the public and visitors are invited to observe the artists, ask questions and experience Central City in autumn from an artist’s perspective. Throughout the weekend, the Plein Air artists will be painting from sunrise to sunset within a two-mile radius of the Central City Opera House.
For added safety due to Colorado State COVID-19 Guidelines, all activities for the 2020 Plein Air Festival have been moved outside and are subject to weather conditions. Masks are required in public spaces and social distancing protocols will be followed.
The 2020 Central City Plein Air Festival Schedule of Events and artist biographies can be found in the lobby of the Teller House, located at 120 Eureka Street and at www.centralcitypleinair.org. Proceeds from this event support Central City Opera and the Gilpin County Arts Association.
[Download a PDF of the full schedule]
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
KIDZONE– DROP IN ARTS STATION
11:00am – 3:00pm | Penrose House Lawn
Become an artist with fun, interactive arts activities for the whole family. Tap into your imagination and Experiment with chalk art, create your own plein air painting and more. All ages welcome!
CENTRAL CITY ALL-ACCESS TOURS
10:00am – 11:30am | Central City Opera House
Tour some of Central City’s historic buildings including the Central City Opera House, Teller House, and other properties not currently open to the public. * Limited Availability & Advance Sign-up Required.*
QUICK DRAW COMPETITION
11:30am – 1:30pm | Eureka Street
Watch artists create new paintings from blank canvases in two hours.
QUICK DRAW EASEL SALE & AWARDS
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Central City Opera House Gardens
Quick Draw paintings will be on display and available for immediate purchase following the judging and award presentation.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
KIDZONE– DROP IN ARTS STATION
11:00am – 2:00pm | Penrose House Lawn
Become an artist with fun, interactive arts activities for the whole family. Tap into your imagination and Experiment with chalk art, create your own plein air painting and more. All ages welcome!
COEUR D’ALENE MINE TOUR
1:00pm – 2:00pm | Central City Opera House
Take a tour of the amazing Coeur D’Alene Mine and learn all about Gilpin County’s historic mining heritage.
* Limited Availability & Advance Sign-up Required.*
OPERA GARDENS CONCERT
2:30p.m. – 3:15p.m | Central City Opera House Gardens
Soprano Anna Christy (Carousel, 2021) gives a special performance in the Central City Opera House Gardens. Free to the public, with a suggested donation of $15.
PREVIEW PARTY AND SALE OF CENTRAL CITY PLEIN AIR EXHIBITION
3:00pm – 6:00pm | Teller House Parking Lot
Be the first to view and purchase works painted throughout the weekend and visit with festival artists. Judge Jennifer Riefenberg will give brief remarks and distribute awards at 4:30 pm. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks included. Cost: $50/ticket
PUBLIC EXHIBITION, SALE AND AWARDS RECEPTION
4:00pm – 6:00pm | Teller House Parking Lot
View and purchase the 60+ paintings created by participating artists throughout the weekend.
ABOUT THE PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL AND CENTRAL CITY OPERA
Central City Opera’s relationship with Central City goes back to the 1880s when mining turned the area into the “richest square mile” in America. The Welsh and Cornish miners who lived in the newly established town wanted a place to celebrate their musical roots and so they built the Central City Opera House stone by stone for a grand total of $23,000 in 1883. Although time has changed the economy of Central City, music and the arts still play a huge role in the identity of the town. Today, Central City Opera produces a renowned summer festival with groundbreaking opera performances in an intimate setting. Central City Opera founded the Plein Air Festival to help return the historic area to a mecca for arts and culture and to encourage visitors and artists to soak in the beauty of Colorado.
SPONSORS
Gold
Nancy Benson
Bronze
The City of Central
The Central City Business Improvement District
Additional Support Provided By:
Derry Coe
The Gilpin County Arts Association
Monarch Casino
Karen and Andrew Ritz
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