HISTORY of the ALABAMA PLEIN AIR ARTISTS

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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 and Susan Baird.

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

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

• 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  

• Selma Pilgrimage Paint Out (ended in 2021) - annual event hosted by Karen Weir and the Selma Art Guild, painted scenes around historic Selma, Alabama 2008-2021. 
• Pike Road Paint Out - annual event hosted by Patty Payne and the Pike Road Arts Council, October, 2011 - present. Paintings from Pike Road, AL and surrounding countryside.  
• Hamilton Paint Outs - hosted by Andrea Harbison (architect in Hamilton, AL) and originally Amy Peterson, now cohosted by Leslie Brasher. 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.  This exhibition of paintings of historic locations throughout the state (along with their history) travelled to a number of locations around Alabama during the 200th anniversary celebration of the statehood of Alabama. - 2019.   

Many other paint outs 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, Eufaula, Lake Martin and many locations in the Birmingham area including the Botanical Gardens, Sloss Furnace, Highland Avenue, Oak Mountain State Park, Tannehill State Park and Motes Farm in Montevallo.