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Plein Air to bring 45 artists to Sonoma

Mark your calendars for a week of painting in Sonoma that will benefit local students art education programs. Sonoma Plein Air's ninth annual fundraising event will be held the week of May 23, when 45 artists from around the country travel to Sonoma to paint at outdoor locations throughout the Valley.

The week ends with a gala dinner and auction of the work created that week on Friday, May 27, at Cline Cellars. Tickets are $175.

Tuesday, May 24, the artists will be on the plaza to paint in a "Paint Off." Starting at 5:30 p.m., the artists will have an hour-and-a-half to capture the sights and colors of the Plaza during the farmers market. At 7:30 p.m., the art will go up for sale allowing spectators to purchase the newly created pieces right off the easel.

On Saturday, May 28, following the popular gala, live music will fill the air during the art exhibition and sale of all the pieces that have been created that week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event is free to the public and there will be art classes for the kids and demonstrations by the visiting artists.

Since 2002, the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation, a nonprofit all-volunteer organization, has donated more than $400,000 to local art education.

For tickets or more information, visit the foundation's website at www.sonomapleinair.com.