Annual Paint Historic Waxahachie Plein Air Show May 17-24

WAXAHACHIE – Artists from as far away as the Netherlands will set up their easels in Waxahachie during the Ellis County Art Association’s Annual Paint Historic Waxahachie Plein Air Show May 17-24. 

The annual competition has been sponsored in Waxahachie for 17 years and attracts artists from all over Texas, as well as California and Nevada.

“Not only is this a great experience for our artists but it’s also great for Waxahachie, too,” Patti Holloway, event coordinator and vice president of ECAA, said.

“This is the only time that Waxahachie is flooded with this outstanding artistic talent, and then the public has an opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind painting.”

Paintings must be finished outdoors and most artists hurry to finish before the light changes. Because of this, many of the paintings are smaller in size and display a looser style, similar to the Impressionists.

Each artist may hang up to five paintings, so there will be lots of choices for the public. There will probably be paintings ranging from the architecture of Waxahachie including the gingerbread houses and the courthouse, to flowers, landscapes and other interesting subjects the artists find.

Artists who registered for the event were also eligible to paint anywhere in Ellis County April 19 to May 3. 

There were 32 artists painting around Waxahachie last year, and there are over 40 registered for this year’s event.

Claudia Parsons, artist from Waxahachie, was last year’s winner. She painted a watercolor of a house in Waxahachie.

“I have entered this event for many years now, and was delighted that I won last year,” Parsons said. 

“Plein Air has always been an exciting, challenging and fun time.”

Other well-known award winning artists participating are Kent Brewer, Bruce Peil, Henry Prikryl and Tina Bohlman.

More than $8,000 will be awarded to the participating artists. The juror for the awards is Patrick Saunders, award-winning artist from San Antonio, who is also leading a workshop.

After painting May 17-24, the paintings will be on display and for sale at The Hamilton at Garden Valley in Waxahachie. The exhibition will be open to the public May 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.