Visual Art

Hey Valley Artists: Get Outside and Go Paint!

Tom Giffey |

The hills will be alive with artists May 6-13 during the Fifth Annual GO Paint! Chippewa Valley. Artists will be invited to paint the riverbanks, farms, forests, prairies, and towns within a 10-mile radius of the Chippewa River between Eau Claire and Durand. They will work “en plein air” – in other words, outdoors, reproducing on canvas what they see before their eyes. GO Paint! was born a few years ago in Durand, and has now expanded to encompass more of the Valley under the auspices of the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center. Participating artists are eligible to receive part of more than $2,000 worth of cash prizes and purchase awards. Registration is $30 before May 1, when the cost increases to $40. Participating artists must have their canvases stamped prior to beginning their masterworks. The week’s events include a Young Artists Paint from 1-3pm May 6 at Phoenix Park, followed by a Quick Paint for all artists from 3-5pm at Phoenix Park. Open painting begins May 7 and runs through May 12. Artists must turn in their work to ECRAC by 2pm May 12; a reception and awards ceremony will follow at 6pm. For full details, see the brochure at eauclairearts.com/gopaint.phtml