Plein Air returns to Hill City

The eighth annual Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out is coming to Hill City Sept. 18-20. 

There are 18 painters coming to Hill City. Some are returning artists, while others are coming for the first time. Last year’s best of show winner, Cheryl LeClair-Sommer, is returning, along with best quick draw winner Michael Walter and people’s choice  winner Jill Tesnow.

Deeda Cordin will once again be the show juror. Cordin is a lifelong artist whose photographs and paintings have been awarded recognition across the country. Cordin owns Deep Creek Gallery in Custer.

Several states will be represented,  including South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota  and Pennsylvania.

Both artists and sponsorship numbers are down this year, but Jenn Youngblood, who chairs the plein air committee for the Hill City Arts Council, is undeterred by either. 

“We’ve had an awesome response to our membership drive,” Youngblood said, adding there has been a mix of new and renewing memberships.

She also sees that having two fewer artists than last year is an opportunity to showcase more of the work of the artists who are  attending. This way, the artist’s “homework” gets displayed at the Jon Crane Gallery as soon as artists arrive Thursday morning.

The plein air artists keep busy after registration. They each have to produce a painting both paint out days, Thursday and Friday. Artists can choose where they want to paint. Some stay in Hill City limits, while others go farther out into Custer State Park, up Deerfield Road or down Old Hill City Road. But all painting must be done “en plein air,” outside in the Black Hills, and completed during the dates of the event. That means artists paint despite the weather—be it heat, wind, rain or even snow.

Youngblood encourages locals to check out the show and meet the artists. 

“This year, I feel like summer is flying by. It’s awesome to slow down, look around and see the beauty in where we live,” she said. 

And plein air painting forces people to do that—to really look at the hills, the light, the changing landscape and scenery. 

“We are so lucky to have the beauty of the Black Hills. Plein Air is a great opportunity to see how special it is to be in this small town,” Youngblood said.

She said artists often paint what is familiar to locals, like the Little White Church or the railroad, calling plein air a great opportunity to see these places from a different perspective.

Artists must get their canvases returned by 5 p.m.  Thursday before they get to relax, mingle and enjoy a reception at the Chute Rooster.

Friday is almost identical to Thursday for artists. A reception for event sponsors and artists takes place at the Jon Crane Gallery from 6-7 p.m. The public is invited to meet the artists, view and purchase their work after 7 p.m.

Saturday begins with a quick draw competition downtown at 9 a.m. The best quick draw will be judged that day with an auction, hosted by auctioneer Adam Karrels, taking place at the With the Wind Winery on McGregor and Main at 12:30 p.m.

Hill City High School art teacher Jessica Kautz said her art club students will participate in the event this year.

Plein Air is free for attendees and is presented by the Hill City Arts Council, a nonprofit with a mission to nurture and support the arts and humanities in Hill City.