NEW IBERIA, La. -- Shadows-on-the-Teche invites the public to come witness artists in action and purchase fine art during its Paint Acadiana plein air (outdoors painting) juried competition to be held March 11 - 17, 2017.

All 29 artists will paint pictures outside in various Acadiana locations from March 11 to March 16 when they will submit their two best to be judged by artist and instructor Erik Koeppel from Jackson, N.H.

On March 17, the Shadows will host a free paint-out on the plantation's grounds from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. open to all artists of any age and spectators (317 E. Main St.). Works produced at the paint-out will be judged by Koeppel and exhibited at the Shadows Visitor Center  (320 E. Main St.).  The public can also buy art at the silent auction and attend the free opening reception for the exhibition of the works submitted by the artists starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Shadows Visitor Center. Competition winners will be announced and prizes awarded at 7 p.m. 

About Plein Air

The phrase "plein air" describes a style of art created in the open air, a process much different from producing canvases in the studio. Artists must deal with shifting angles and tones of light as well as adverse weather conditions. Weeks Hall, the last owner of the Shadows, was an artist who engaged in many styles of art including plein air. The Shadows-on-the-Teche plein air competition begun in 2015 to continue the tradition of art at the Shadows and in the community.