April 29, 2022 (Moscow, Idaho) — The City of Moscow Arts Department announced the opening of online registration for the 13th annual Palouse Plein Air painting event, with a deadline set for 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 1.

Palouse Plein Air is an annual painting event that takes place every September, with experiences including painting workshops and a juried exhibition.

This year’s juror is Melanie Thompson of Richland, Washington. While studying graphic design at Washington State University, Thompson spent the summers fighting wildfires, developing a deep connection with the expansive views and untamed beauty of nature. After graduating, she took up a new medium—oils—and painted landscapes inspired by her experience as a wildland firefighter. Since then, Thompson has gone on to win numerous honors in competitions across the country.

Thompson will adjudicate the Palouse Plein Air 2022 exhibition at the Third Street Gallery inside Moscow City Hall. The exhibition is set to open on Thurs., Sept. 15, with an artist reception and awards ceremony set for 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Participating artists paint outdoors at any location of their choosing within Latah, Nez Perce, Whitman, and Benewah counties. Participants may paint any combination of the within the painting period from September 5-13. No use of electronic, pictorial, or other aids is allowed. All work must be done on location by the individual artist.
Artists aged 18 years or older are eligible to participate. In addition, all painting media are eligible for competition, including gouache, watercolor, acrylic, oil, and pastel.

More information about Palouse Plein Air is available here: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/216/9191/Palouse-Plein-Air

Artist registration is available here: https://moscowarts.submittable.com/submit