Plein Air Art Competition

If you can't wait for spring breezes to chase away the winter chill, you're not the only one! Soon, painters from around the country will be hauling their easels outdoors, escaping their studios, and taking advantage of the warm sunshine to do their artwork en plein air. From March 10-16, the Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air Art Competition will draw some of the most enthusiastic of these painters to New Iberia.

The competition, now in its fourth year, celebrates the practice of open air painting by observation. According to Pat Kahle, director of Shadows-on-the-Teche, this year has drawn a record number of applicants from across the nation, with about thirty artists being selected to compete.

From the graceful live oak arches of the plantation grounds to New Iberia's charming Main Street and beyond, you'll see painters setting up shop to capture the beautiful scenery of Acadiana. The results will be judged by guest artist Eric Koeppel of New Hampshire, who will also host a three-day workshop following the competition for those who want to hone their skills further.

If all this has you itching to pick up a brush yourself, try your hand in the free-for-all “paint out” on Friday, March 16. All members of the public are invited, and you may just win a prize! The James D. Moncus Family Foundation is even supplying a grant to support local student participation, and one young artist will be selected to receive a scholarship to attend Koeppel's workshop.

The week culminates with an awards ceremony and reception on the evening of March 16. This is your chance to take home a piece of the scenery, as the art of the exhibition will be offered for sale, silent-auction style.

Kahle said the community enjoys not only the paintings themselves but also the joy the artists take in creating them. “We're proud of our town, and it's amazing to have people come from all over the country—to see it through their eyes.”