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Aligning with Art Plus Gallery’s mission as a 501(c)3 non-profit, as well as the goals of the Berks Art Alliance, Plein Air West Reading is a juried competition that promotes the awareness and cultural value of outdoor painting.
Now in its 10th year, Plein Air West Reading has earned wide recognition as one of the region’s largest, most important fine art events. From June 14-20, 30 accomplished artists from 7 states weathered the elements and focused their talents on capturing the beauty, character and heritage of Berks County on canvas. |
The term “en plein air” is French meaning “in open air.” It took hold in 1870s with the French Impressionists, referring to their preference for painting landscapes and everyday life subjects directly in their natural/outdoor settings versus working in the studio from sketches, studies or models.
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THE WINNERS OF PLEIN AIR WEST READING 2025
THE ARTISTS
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Lissa Abrams, Stevenson, MD
Bruno Baran, Nottingham, PA Ed Bell, Philadelphia, PA Lisa Burger Lentz, Media, PA Karen Burnette Garner, Robesonia, PA Melissa Carroll, Lancaster, PA Nanci Charpentier, Baton Rouge, LA Ann Crostic, Baltimore, MD Lori Cusick, Dallas, TX Lea Doise, Keswick, VA David Finnell, Charlottesville, VA Paul Gallo, Middletown, PA Erin Gill, Bethlehem, PA Marjorie Haley, Hackettstown, NJ Stephen Haynes, Irwin, PA Marita Hines, Marietta, PA |
Pearl Horng, Midlothian, VA
Zoungy Kligge, St Lawrence, PA Jane Knighton, Glenwood, MD Laura Martinez-Bianco, Marlboro, NY Martin Matlin, Narberth, PA Mary Ann Mengel, Hamburg, PA Barbara Morcerf, Lords Valley, PA Jesse Prentiss, Reading, PA Al Richards, West Chester, PA Tom Ritchie, Baltimore, MD Sabrina Schmidt, Chalmette, LA Russell Slocum, Wyomissing, PA Ellie Tryon-Elgin, Bel Air, MD Rachel Van Wylen, Haverford, PA Karen Weber, St. Lawrence, PA Steven J. White, Birdsboro, PA |
EVENT SPONSORS & AWARDS
The name of the event highlights the borough in which it was founded in 2015, but Plein Air West Reading has grown to include the entire county in its support as well as the scope of its creativity. The generous support of our event sponsors–individuals, organizations and business from every corner of Berks and beyond–helps cover the expenses of staging Plein Air West Reading.
PATRONS
Dave & Ann Barr
Berks Art Alliance
Mark & Wendy Dougherty
Jerry & Carolyn Holleran
Merrill Lynch/The Swift Group
Visit West Reading.org
ART LOVERS
Jean & Chris Heinley
Kimberton Whole Foods
UPS Store, Wyomissing
Vision Mechanical
We also appreciate the support of the Reading Public Museum, the hosts providing accommodations to our visiting arts, and the dozens of volunteers who help plan and stage the event.
AWARDS
In addition to the traditional awards, (First, Second etc.), the prizes includeD themed awards from individual and organizational sponsors.
Best in Show: $1000: Sponsored by the Berks Art Alliance
West Reading Award: $1000, Sponsored by Visit West Reading.org
Second Place: $700
Third Place: $400
Honorable Mentions (2): $200
SPONSOR-THEMED AWARDS: $500 each
Village Main Street Award
Shelby Davis Hutchison & Sherry Davis
A main street in any village or small town in Berks County
Berks History Award
Berks Historical Society
Any of 5 designated historical sites
Garden Arty Award
Linda & Jim Elliott
Any cultivated garden in Berks County
Estate of the Art Award
Lisa Tiger, Century 21 Gold
Any of 3 magnificent properties
Waterways of Berks Award
Schuylkill River Greenways Organization
Any natural waterway within the Schuylkill River watershed
Artists' Choice Award: $100 Dick Blick gift card
Voted best body of work by the participating artists
People's Choice Award: 100 Dick Blick gift card
Voted best painting by the public at Art on the Avenue
Quick Draw Awards
Art Plus Gallery & Guerrilla Painter
Adult and Student categories, $500+ total award value
The name of the event highlights the borough in which it was founded in 2015, but Plein Air West Reading has grown to include the entire county in its support as well as the scope of its creativity. The generous support of our event sponsors–individuals, organizations and business from every corner of Berks and beyond–helps cover the expenses of staging Plein Air West Reading.
PATRONS
Dave & Ann Barr
Berks Art Alliance
Mark & Wendy Dougherty
Jerry & Carolyn Holleran
Merrill Lynch/The Swift Group
Visit West Reading.org
ART LOVERS
Jean & Chris Heinley
Kimberton Whole Foods
UPS Store, Wyomissing
Vision Mechanical
We also appreciate the support of the Reading Public Museum, the hosts providing accommodations to our visiting arts, and the dozens of volunteers who help plan and stage the event.
AWARDS
In addition to the traditional awards, (First, Second etc.), the prizes includeD themed awards from individual and organizational sponsors.
Best in Show: $1000: Sponsored by the Berks Art Alliance
West Reading Award: $1000, Sponsored by Visit West Reading.org
Second Place: $700
Third Place: $400
Honorable Mentions (2): $200
SPONSOR-THEMED AWARDS: $500 each
Village Main Street Award
Shelby Davis Hutchison & Sherry Davis
A main street in any village or small town in Berks County
Berks History Award
Berks Historical Society
Any of 5 designated historical sites
Garden Arty Award
Linda & Jim Elliott
Any cultivated garden in Berks County
Estate of the Art Award
Lisa Tiger, Century 21 Gold
Any of 3 magnificent properties
Waterways of Berks Award
Schuylkill River Greenways Organization
Any natural waterway within the Schuylkill River watershed
Artists' Choice Award: $100 Dick Blick gift card
Voted best body of work by the participating artists
People's Choice Award: 100 Dick Blick gift card
Voted best painting by the public at Art on the Avenue
Quick Draw Awards
Art Plus Gallery & Guerrilla Painter
Adult and Student categories, $500+ total award value
QUICK DRAW!
Monday, June 16, 10am-2:30pm
Sponsored by Art Plus Gallery, Guerrilla Painter & Reading Public Museum
Artists young and old were invited to join the pros in Reading Public Museum Park on Monday, June 16, for a special paint out–creating the best drawing or painting they can in two hours.
Monday, June 16, 10am-2:30pm
Sponsored by Art Plus Gallery, Guerrilla Painter & Reading Public Museum
Artists young and old were invited to join the pros in Reading Public Museum Park on Monday, June 16, for a special paint out–creating the best drawing or painting they can in two hours.
QUICK DRAW AWARDS
STUDENTS:
1st place - Guerilla Painter Field Sketch Kit & autographed Notebook Set: Mia Davis
2nd place - $75: Megan Holland
3rd place - $50: Joshua Griffith
Honorable Mention - $25: Talia Noranjo
ADULTS:
1st place - $100: Lea Doise
2nd place - $75: David Finnell
3rd place - $50: Lori Cusick
Honorable Mention - $25: Sabrina Schmidt
STUDENTS:
1st place - Guerilla Painter Field Sketch Kit & autographed Notebook Set: Mia Davis
2nd place - $75: Megan Holland
3rd place - $50: Joshua Griffith
Honorable Mention - $25: Talia Noranjo
ADULTS:
1st place - $100: Lea Doise
2nd place - $75: David Finnell
3rd place - $50: Lori Cusick
Honorable Mention - $25: Sabrina Schmidt
