Watch Artists Painting in Downtown Schulenburg Saturday

Union Pacific Railroad and the Chamber of Commerce invite you to watch artists paint downtown Schulenburg from 9 – 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 2 as the final day of Have You Painted Yet? Competition. The artists must select their subject matter within a few blocks near downtown and complete a painting within the specified timeframe The designated area for the artists is between James Avenue and Kessler Avenue and south of Highway 90 and north of South Main. You can easily identify them by their black and yellow “Watch Me Paint” signs they will have with them.

Each artist will be required to submit at least three paintings which will compete in the following categories: ‘Schulenburg at Large,’‘Painted Churches,’and the ‘Schulenburg Quick Draw.’The artists will turn in their works by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday to Senglemann Hall for judging. The art exhibition, including works from the Schulenburg Quick Draw and works done over the previous three days, will be displayed in Senglemann Hall starting at 4:15 p.m., December 2 through December 23. Viewing will be during normal hours of operations for Senglemann Hall or by appointment through Amanda Danning.

Karen Vernon will judge and the winners will be announced at 3:45 p.m. The Have You Painted Yet? Exhibition will open to the public at 4:15 p.m.

These competing Texas artists were invited because of their work and reputation as Plein Air artists. The competitors will be painting at area landmarks, the Painted Churches, and on various private properties. Local supporters called Site Hosts have opened their gates and sometimes doors to support these artists.

The artists will begin arriving on Tuesday afternoon for an orientation where organizers of the contest will stamp the canvases and papers on which the artists will paint. These stamps will verify that the work was done during the competition. Orientation will provide the artists with contest rules, maps, local points of interest, and the list of Site Hosts. The artists will take their freshly stamped substrates and roam the designated areas. Some will be seen along the byways and around town, set up with easel and paint boxes. Each artist will be equipped with a “Watch Me Paint” sign to help locals identify participants and invite onlookers.

Plein Air painting is a unique discipline that forces the artist to complete nine steps of painting within two to three hours.

Plein Air competitions are common in National Parks, cities, and small towns because viewing the artists at work encourages tourism and can provide artistic images which may be used for promotional purposes. The artists are rewarded by the close interaction with interested onlookers. The audience gets a rare chance to observe art as it is being produced and meet and interact with the artist.

The artists competing are: Signe Cox, Bastrop Arthur Deatly, Houston Stephen Henry, Shelby, Texas Sue Pape, La Grange Nancy Paris Pruden, Houston Kevin Richert, Brenham Jeremy Serna, Brownwood Richie Vios, Austin Jing Zhao, Dallas Ronaldo Valdez Zulueta Look for the “Watch Me Paint” Signs to see the artists in action. For information on the artists or attending the VIP Reception Saturday at 2:30 p.m., call Amanda Danning, (979) 863-2979.