Sonoma Plein Air colors the Plaza

Sonoma scenes the centerpiece of the weeklong event.|

The Sonoma Plein Air Foundation brought art “en plein air” to town last week through its annual festival to raise money for youth arts education in Sonoma Valley.

The 15th annual Plein Air Festival featured nationally renowned painters – who spent a week out and about in Sonoma, Marin and San Francisco, working on the creation of eight to 12 new paintings each.

The festival culminated in an art exhibition and sale on Saturday, with many iconic Sonoma Valley scenes on display.

Also popular were the artist demonstrations, live music and the hands-on art activities.

Each year, all Sonoma Valley schools can apply to Plein Air for specific grants to support various art programs for their students.

Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma Valley Museum or Art, Arts Guild and Art Escape are also beneficiaries of the foundation’s funds.

Plein Air’s efforts go beyond simply funding the purchase of art supplies for classes. One of its signature programs is “Art in Action,” a comprehensive visual arts curriculum that teaches students about art from around the world and helps them express themselves through their own pieces with an aim to encourage critical thinking, creativity, visual literacy and self-esteem.

Another program, the Lewis E. Cook III Scholarship, provides a Sonoma Valley High School senior $1,000 to pursue the arts.

Plein Air’s funds are raised almost entirely over the course of this week, with 40 percent of the proceeds from sales donated to support arts education for Sonoma Valley youths and 60 percent going to the artist.

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