CONVERSE, Ind. – The Sept. 22-23 Converse paint out: It’s like a fishing tournament, but only for artists with paints instead of poles, easels instead of boats.
Artists will be painting in the dark Friday night while listening to a live bluegrass band in downtown Converse, Sept. 22. Then Saturday, Sept. 23, fifty artists from Indiana and other states will get their canvases stamped and — just like fishing tournaments – they will head off to paint spots they have scouted out. It’s all in pursuit of the $2,000 in cash awards for the best paintings.
The event in its third year, sponsored by the Indiana Plein Air Painter Association, IPAPA, features nationally recognized artists and beginners alike, said Steve Reiff, one of the organizers.
At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, artists will return to Converse and welcome the public to see how they interpreted the community and area. Artists paint 2-4 paintings and sell them. Their best piece is judged and sold too, said Avon Waters, the IPAPA host and state board member.
“Many of the artists sold out before the event closed last year,” Waters said. “Many of the buyers are local and many follow their favorite artist from event to event each weekend, that’s why this event doesn’t really conflict with the James Dean Festival.”
“The Converse EDC was quick to support and encourage The First Brush of Fall Paintout as an artistic complement to a quaint and historic area that abounds with images waiting to be captured on canvas,” Reiff said.
Eight blocks of downtown Converse are on the National Registry of Historical Places, Reiff added.
More than 100 years ago, artists once before came from Chicago and Indianapolis and Indiana to Brown County. Over time it became known for its artist colony. Wissel said, IPAPA was formed 20 years ago to celebrate that historical heritage and to host events like this in various communities to educate others to the rich history of painting in the open air.
The event is free to visitors and artists. Visitors arriving before the 3:30 p.m. Saturday show-and-tell exhibition will likely find a few artists painting on the streets of Converse still painting, Waters said. It is a great way to see how artists work from a blank canvas to an impressionist finished work. The Friday night bluegrass concert, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Borrowed Tyme Band, is free to the public.