Michele is an Albertus Magnus College graduate with a degree in Psychology, and a minor in Art, with a concentration in Art Therapy. She also has a MA in Expressive Art Therapy from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA. She is certified to teach art and holds a CT Professional Educator’s License. She studied landscape painting —plein air—with noted Connecticut painter Curt Hanson. She created Art Tripping in 2018, a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, to create community art experiences and develop educational programs that nourish creativity. To that end, she brought together the Plein Air Litchfield (PAL) subcommittee to create an art event like no other in Connecticut. Last July Michele interned at Plein Air Easton under the mentorship of Marie Nuthall. In September of 2024, 25 artists fanned out around Litchfield, painting “en plein air" creating 75 paintings in two days, with one-night sales of $10,000. This year, the event will take place over 6 days, featuring 30 artists, with tripled cash prizes. Michele is a juror of applicants, and oversees fundraising, merchant/sponsor liaison, and all other aspects of the event.

Jim is a Litchfield-based landscape painter who enjoys competing in Plein Air events across the country. In 2023 he received the Artists Choice award at the Gloucester Plein Air Invitational in Virginia, and in 2024 won top prize at the Adirondack Plein Air festival in Saranac Lake, New York. Jim studied painting, design, and color theory at the University of Connecticut, and has cultivated a bold representational painting style that balances the Impressionists’ influence with contemporary subject matter. Jim brings a dedicated artist's perspective and tremendous energy to all aspects of the Plein Air Litchfield event, and for 2025 he is focused on artist liaison, artist hosting, and judging criteria.

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Zufar joins the PAL team as a plein air advisor. In 2012, he began competitively painting en plein air in the United States,  winning numerous awards. Among those are the Artist’s Choice Award at Plein Air Easton (Maryland), a "Medal of Honor and Merit" from Kent Art Association (the first art organization in the US he joined), the Hudson Valley Art Association Gold Medal, and The Irvine Museum Award, received during the Laguna Plein Air national competition (Laguna Beach, California).  He has continued to be invited back to these and many other prestigious competitions year after year and plans to continue competing in 2025. His works are widely represented in private collections in the United States—from New England to California—and abroad, in the UK, Spain, and in his native Russia.

Established Connecticut portrait and plein air landscape artist, Ellie helped create the PAL online presence, artist prospectus and application, developed online and direct outreach to prospective artists, and functions as secretary for general meetings. She is also overseeing free monthly plein air practice sessions open to artists at various locations around Litchfield in preparation for the Sunday 10/5 Quick Draw. She holds a BA in Modern Languages from Sweet Briar College, and a MS in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech. She is very excited to welcome so many talented artists to the event in September!

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Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge of the community and history of the arts and humanities to PAL in her role as Executive Director of the Litchfield History Society. She has extensive experience in fundraising, collections management and curatorial procedures, professional museum standards, exhibitions, and community engagement. Her guidance in fundraising, community outreach and helping PAL to set up artist information meetings and kiosks has been invaluable. She will be helping stage a lecture encompassing the history of painting in Litchfield during the event.

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Sarah Kelley, originally from Litchfield, has recently returned to Connecticut, bringing with her over 15 years of experience in corporate and special event planning. She is the founder of Events Off West, a boutique event planning firm located at Cobble Court in Litchfield. Known for her attention to detail and creative approach, she’s thrilled to be partnering with the Plein Air Litchfield team to help bring their vision to life and contribute to the success of this dynamic event.