The second annual Plein Air Art Event at Harmony Hall on Sunday August 18 presented Harmony Hall once again in a beautiful light figuratively and literally! The extreme heat did not deter 16 participating artists from showing their diverse work and create stunning images of Harmony Hall. Members of the exceptional Monroe Arts Society were first time guests to the great lawn and added a dynamic energy to
the days event.
Artists and guests enjoyed refreshments, music and floral arrangements in the recently restored double parlor of Harmony Hall. Thanks to the elbow grease of a new volunteer, main floor architectural elements did shine!
Plein Air painting harkens back to a rich 19 th and 20 th century legacy of important artists who lived and worked in Sloatsburg including: Hudson River School Painter Jasper Cropsey and the prolific designer, painter, ceramicist Edith Varian Cockcroft who had her home and studio overlooking Sloats Pond/Dam.
Best in show winner Jesse Bastin, from Newton, NJ, specializes in portraits and Impressionism and has only been painting for just over one year! “ There are no mistakes; just different paths for the story to take”. Several artists donated their Plein Air works to Harmony Hall including a highly detailed drawing of Harmony Hall by Catherine De Cesare.
Plein Air event chair, Jessie Taylor, conceived of Plein Air at Harmony Hall in 2018 to bring attention to the diverse and deep talent pool of local artists, the rich history and significant venue that is Harmony Hall and to the ongoing revitalization of main street Sloatsburg. Many thanks to all participating artists!
