ABOUT US

 APAA History

Alabama Plein Air Artists began on May 6, 2004 by twin sisters, Bonnie Phillips from Sylacauga and Connie Watts from Childersburg. 

Charter members of the group included Connie Watts, Bonnie Phillips, Donna Chieves, Charlotte McDavid, Joan Weaver, Susan Beck, Fran Harry, Donna Gordon, Linda Steed and Susan Baird.

Early members also included Glenda Adams, Anne Stickney, Barbara Davis, Dee Falls, Deborah Hughes and Joan Di Laura.

The Mission- To start a supportive, networking group of professional artists who promote and enjoy plein air painting. 

Early Exhibitions:

• Isabel Anderson Comer Museum - Sylacauga, Alabama - 2004
• Fayette Art Museum - Fayette, AL - 2005
• “A Capitol Exhibit : 100 Paintings of Montgomery” - Old Supreme Court Library at the Alabama State Capitol. Alabama First Lady, Patsy Riley, invited the group to the governor’s mansion grounds to paint. - June, 2005
• “Gardens & Landscapes of Alabama” - Old Supreme Court Library at the Alabama State Capitol - June, 2006

              Annual Paintouts with Exhibitions:

• Selma Pilgrimage Paintout (ended in 2021) - annual event hosted by Karen Weir and the Selma Art Guild, painted scenes around historic Selma, Alabama 2008-2021
• Pike Road Paintout - annual event hosted by Patty Payne and the Pike Road Arts Council, October, 2011 - present. Paintings from Pike Road, AL and surrounding countryside. 
• Hamilton Paintouts - hosted by Andrea Harbinger (architect in Hamilton,AL) and Amy Peterson. We painted in several locations throughout Marion County with Reception/Sale of our work in the City Gallery of Hamilton, AL. 2019 - present 

Special Exhibition for Alabama Bicentennial Celebration - exhibition coordinated by Amy Peterson and Anne Stickney. Paintings of historic locations throughout the state along with their history, this exhibition travelled to a number of locations around Alabama during the 200th anniversary celebration of the statehood of Alabama. - 2019

Many other paintouts and some with shows (certainly not all are listed) throughout Alabama and surrounding states including - 

Several at Gulf Shores hosted by Marlene Johnt and Mildred Hanson,

Wetumpka, Jasmine Hill Gardens, Mentone, Gadsden / Noccalula Falls, Huntsville, Decatur/Mooresville, Athens, The Dismals, The Cahaba Lilies in West Blocton, Monroeville, Lake Martin and many locations in Birmingham area including Bham. Botanical Gardens, Sloss Furnace, Highland Avenue, Oak Mountain State Park, Tannehill State Park and Montevallo. 

Other Special Plein Air Events - 

 Plein Air South - a nationally known event in Apalachicola and Eastpoint, Florida. This is a large, week long plein air event with demos and workshops in the beautiful “Forgotten Coast” area of Florida. Many from APAA have served as coordinators and volunteers and some members have been among the invited faculty artists.  2016 - present

 Forgotten Coast en Plein Air - an invitational event following Plein Air South. Several of our members were among the group of exceptional, nationally and some internationally known artists chosen to participate in this eleven day event. Many demos and a quick draw which anyone can enter.