The 4th Floyd Plein Air Biennial
%20(1).jpg)
The Floyd Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the return of the Floyd Plein Air Biennial, the week-long outdoor painting festival, to take place at sites in and around beautiful Floyd County on September 22 - 28, 2024. This will be the fourth time the Center has invited and hosted a field of regional and national artists as part of this Biennial Event, which also occurred in 2017, 2019, and 2022. The Center is excited to bring artists back to paint.
Fulfilling the role of 2024 event judge, we will welcome Laura McManus, who serves as Curator of Education for the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College. Artist and Virginia native Joli Ayn Wood will return as Chairperson for the 2024 event.
Applications for those interested in becoming a 2024 participating Floyd Plein Air artists will be available January 3 to February 14, 2024.
Up to the moment updates: follow #FPAB24 on Social Media
Photos From Previous Biennials
Photo by Dr. Russell Young
Photo by Dr. Russell Young
Schedule
Sunday, September 22
Artists arrive in Floyd!
Artists to check in and have substrates stamped at the Center between 12-5
Monday, September 23
Painting the Blue Ridge Parkway – Artists to paint along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. (Mileposts TBD)
Patron Event: Artist-Patron Meet-the-Artist Reception 6-8pm
Location TBD
Small wet painting sale featuring smaller works from the day.
Tuesday, September 24
Painting Along Poor Farm Road
Artists paint expansive views and old homesteads
Wednesday, September 25
Painting the Land
Artists paint the rolling hills & farm life (multiple locations)
Box lunches and water provided to artists.
Thursday, September 26
Painting Along The Little River
Artists will set up to paint along the Little River.
Thunderstruck Road and Little River Road communities
Artist/Patron Dinner - On the Water facility
On the Water outfitters to cater dinner along the Little River shore.
A casual, private gathering for artists, patrons, and volunteers. “Fancy Rustic” dinner under the stars. Event included with Patron Pass, or available for purchase at the door (price TBA closer to the event). Event free for artists and volunteers.
Small wet painting sale featuring smaller works from the day.
Friday, September 27
Paint the Town
Artists paint the many iconic scenes within the town limits
Catherine’s Garden
Locust Street
Main Street
Jacksonville Cemetery
The Pine Tavern
The Floyd Center for the Arts
Town paint within Floyd Town Limits
Early Morning Demonstrations for FCHS
Small group of festival artists volunteer to demonstrate their craft
to local art students from Floyd Co. High School. Locations TBD
with walking distance of the school. Artists encouraged to answer
questions and talk about their careers.
Open Event - Painting Demonstration 11am
Plein air painting demonstration by our festival judge.
Location TBA
Quick Draw: The Friday Night Jamboree, 6-9pm
Our field of competition artists will be joined by non-competition artists in a 3 hour “quick paint.” Artists must paint a scene from start to finish within the 3 hour period. Substrates stamped from 5-6pm at a location TBA, awards for both competition and non-competition artists awarded at Saturday’s Gala!
Quick Draw panels to be turned into Center by 9:30 for hanging in the Breezeway
Saturday, September 28
Quick Draw Exhibition Opens! The Floyd Center for the Arts, Breezeway Gallery A special exhibit featuring the paintings created during the Quick Draw Event, combining both competition and non-competition artists. All work available for purchase.
Open Event: Joli Ayn Wood Painting Demonstration – Bring a chair and join us on the grounds of the Center for a special morning of painting out of doors with Virginia native & Festival Chair Joli Ayn Wood. Joli will talk about and demonstrate her plein air painting skills. Specific location and details TBA closer to the event. $5 donation to attend, patrons attend free of charge.
Patron Event: Collector’s Reception 5-6pm, Center, Special Preview – Patron passes will allow early access to view and purchase the artists’ paintings created during the week, as well as early access to mingle with artists with complimentary beverages and food.
Public Gala Celebration and Art Sale! 6-9pm, Center
Public welcome
All are welcome to join us at The Floyd Center for the Arts to celebrate the culmination of the festival, view and purchase artwork created during the week. Food and soft beverages provided, Cash Bar open with proceeds to benefit The Center.
Meet Our Event Chairperson
"My name is Joli Ayn Wood and I paint what inspires me. Born in Virginia, I was introduced to art and music at a young age. An art history graduate of Westhampton College, University of Richmond, I was fortunate to study under New York painter Ephraim Rubenstein, who emphasized the painting methods of the late Charles Hawthorne and the Cape Cod School. While making a living as a banker for 30 years, I continued to paint and was deeply involved in the local arts scene, maintaining a public studio and organizing local events. In 2016 I committed to painting full time, and in 2018-2019, I was Artist-in-Residence in the Kelley Healing Arts Program with Carilion Healthcare in Christiansburg, VA, working with patients, family members, and hospital staff creating art for healing. Life changes in 2019 brought my home and art to the North Shore of Boston, MA. I work mainly in oils, on many different surfaces, and I enjoy painting out of doors, and from life, most of all. I long to capture what it feels like to be in a place as it is on that day. When I’m not trekking out to paint the marshes, forests, and rocky coasts of New England, you may find me in my working studio on Oak Street in the Village of Beverly Farms, MA, creating and sharing my painting process, teaching budding artists of all ages. I have continued my work in healing arts, and more specifically, teaching and demonstrating my craft at local senior facilities. Aside from painting, I enjoy championing local art organizations, chairing events to promote my fellow artists and increase community engagement in the arts. My passion is to Make It Count every day."
- Joli Ayn Wood