Plein Air Litchfield
6 Days - 33 Artists
$8500 Cash Awards
Eric Forstmann, Judge of Awards
Litchfield --- The ultimate destination where plein air artists immerse themselves in the landscape, history, and hospitality.
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Artists
2024, Plein Air Litchfield's inaugural event, hosted 24 competing artists from 5 states - MA, PA, MD, NY, and CT. In two days and a night, 75 paintings were produced and hung. During the ticketed reception held at Milton Hall,15 paintings sold in less than 2 hours with a total of $10,000 in sales. Awards totaled $2500, provided by generous donors.
For 2025, the event is expanding to 5 days, Tuesday, September 30th to Saturday October 4th, for 33 nationally acclaimed artists who will compete for $8500 in awards, awarded by Eric Forstmann, Judge of Awards. Alofft Gallery will host a gala ticketed reception/sale Saturday night.
On Sunday morning, October 5th, PAL will host a community wide "Quick Draw" event open to artists at all levels with additional prizes. Artists who live nearby are welcome to participate in monthly plein air practice sessions at no charge. Click link for more information.
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Artist: Rick Daskam
In a Nutshell
Plein Air Litchfield 2025
Dates: September 30 - October 5
Applications Closed
Sponsoring Organization: Plein Air Litchfield
Show Venue: Alofft Gallery, Litchfield, CT
Format: 6-day Event, Juried Show,
Ticketed Reception at Alofft Gallery
Optional QuickDraw Sunday Morning,10/5/25
Judge of Awards: Eric Forstmann
Prize Total: $8500 cash
Contact: Michele Murelli, (203) 515-9337 pleinairlitchfield@gmail.com
Meet Eric Forstmann, Judge of Awards
Eric Forstmann studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston under the tutelage of Barnett Rubenstein and Henry Schwartz. In addition to his many solo exhibitions, he has had five one-man shows at the following institutions: The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio; The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Missouri; The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science in Evansville, Indiana; and the Mattatuck Museum of Waterbury, Connecticut. He was also featured at the Norman Rockwell Museum in the exhibition Rockwell and Realism in an Abstract World. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, American Art Collector, Art News and many other publications through the years.
Litchfield Magazine named him as one of the "25 Most Influential People" in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The artist lives in Sharon, CT and works in Torrington, CT where he serves as president of the board of directors of 5 Points Art Center. He is currently represented by Eckert Fine Art in Washington Depot, CT.
CALENDAR
2/3/25 -- Application Period opens on ShowSubmit.com
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4/1/25– Applications Closed 11:59PM
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4/30/25– Selected Artists and
Alternates Announced
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9/30/25-10/04/25 – Required Participation Event Dates
10/4/25 -- Gala Show/Reception, Alofft Gallery
10/5/25 -- Optional Quick Draw for Accepted Artists and Community.
Artist: Freeman Dodson
Freeman Dodsworth, White Memorial Bridge