Story by Parya Poosti
Photos by Geoff Crimmins
The breathtaking Palouse has inspired numerous artists to create music, poetry and, most notably, paintings. This awe-inspiring quality of the Palouse has led to the Annual Plein Air event, which takes place in mid-September, when the fields are at their prettiest and the weather is most delightful. “Plein Air” is French for “open air,” referring to the act of painting landscapes outdoors. In 2010, art professor Aaron Johnson, with the support and guidance of the Moscow Arts Commission, hosted this event for the first time in the Palouse region.
When asked about his inspiration to start such an event, Johnson replied, “As a plein-air painter, I participate in many other Plein-Air events and felt that we needed one here. I know what I love about the Palouse and wanted to see how other artists are inspired by the area.”
As a longtime participant in plein-air events, Johnson has painted in various locations, but he believes there is something very special about the Palouse. “The Palouse is unique in its beauty—our rolling fields, harvest lines, and big skies. The area just begs to be painted,” Johnson said.
Participants in the Palouse Plein-Air event are allowed to submit up to three paintings and are given a week-long painting period to do so. Throughout this week, painters organize themselves into groups and plan painting sessions, although some prefer to work individually. On submission day, painters bring their works in and await the announcement of winners. The submitted artworks are then displayed for a week at Third Street Gallery in Moscow.
Palouse Plein-Air accommodates participants’ diverse interests and offers multiple awards, such as Best Palouse, Best Downtown, Best Historical, and Best Lil’ Painting. When asked about his most memorable moments from these events, Johnson replied, “I am always proud to see my current or former students’ artworks recognized with awards by the juror.” He added, “It is always memorable to try to break the three-hour record of hanging 105 works in the gallery with Megan Cherry, the city arts director.”
Although hosting the Palouse Plein-Air can be hectic at times, it has been a mostly rewarding experience for Aaron Johnson. “It has been rewarding to share my love of plein-air painting and the Palouse with a diverse group of fellow painters from the region,” Johnson said.
Since its inception in 2010, Johnson believes the event has evolved significantly. “In the past 15 years, the show has grown both in the number of participants and in the quality of the work. Student involvement has increased each year,” Johnson said. According to his students, Aaron Johnson has not only introduced them to this event but has also allowed them to use class time to go outside in the Palouse and paint.
The Plein-Air event has brought the Moscow community closer together through their shared interest in painting. While it helps to have Aaron Johnson as a guide throughout this experience, Plein-Air is open to everyone. “I have a few goals—I am always working to attract more artists from a larger area to participate, as well as reaching out to nationally known plein-air painters as jurors,” Johnson said.
The beauty of the Palouse region never goes unnoticed and provides reasons for the community to come together and enjoy it. Individuals like Aaron Johnson make the most of these opportunities and facilitate this process. Whether through plein-air painting, interest in other forms of art, or simply wanting to admire the beautiful scenery, it’s always a good idea to wander in the Palouse.
