The work on the walls at the Arts Council of New Westminster gallery is carrying on a tradition that dates back into history.
Through Their Eyes - Landscapes in Various Media is on at the gallery until Sept. 29. It features works by a group of artists who call themselves the Passionate Outdoor Painters.
A press release notes that the tradition of painting outdoors - or en plein air, as it's known - has been particularly important since the mid-19th century. Its popularity increased in the 1870s with the introduction of paints in tubes and the box easel - a portable art studio the size of a briefcase that made outdoor treks less onerous.
It was then popularized by French impressionist painters such as Claude Monet and Renoir, and later with the Canadian Group of Seven and Tom Thomson.
Carrying on their tradition are the Passionate Outdoor Painters - Jane Appleby, Sue Cowan, Randy Green, Sahar McCullough, Sally Turton and Alison White - who paint at locations all over the world in oil, watercolour and acrylic, either together or individually.
Their show at the arts council gallery is a collection of local scenes.
The gallery is open daily (except Mondays) from 1 to 5 p.m. A special closing reception will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, with the artists in attendance.
The Arts Council of New Westminster Gallery is at Centennial Lodge, Queen's Park. See www.artscouncilnewwest.org or call 604-525-3244 for more details.
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