Lexington’s Sixth Annual Paint-Out Paint the Town was an all day
downtown plein air painting event and exhibition of works at Arts Place.
More than 40 plein air artists painted cityscape scenes of their
choosing, all within a designated downtownmarea. Completed works were hung
that afternoon with an Opening Reception and Exhibition at Arts Place.
Paint the Town is an annual event produced by non-profit arts advocacy
agency Arts Connect to showcase local and regional plein air painters and
as a fundraiser.
Kate Savage, of Art Connects, shares a story of how strongly one of these paintings connected for this exhibit.
“I got a call yesterday from a young man by the name of Aaron who was getting married last evening to the flower girl on the left in Mary Neely‘s painting that she did at Farmers’ Market for last Saturday’s Art Connects Paint the Town.
“Aaron and his bride-to-be both work a small rented five-acre farm together in Versailles. She sells their produce in Lexington on Saturday and he sells at the Frankfort Farmers’ Market. They mostly sell flowers and veggies but they also raise pigs and have over a hundred chickens so he told me.
“Aaron wanted to buy the painting for his bride as a surprise wedding gift and present it last night. Two problems. It was after ArtsPlace regular hours, and the artwork is part of an exhibition that stays up until July 22.
“I explained that this wasn’t like walking into a shop, making a purchase and taking it away with you. Long story short: We managed to get into ArtsPlace, he paid for the piece, and carried it off on a short term two-day loan.”
He’s pictured here with the piece about to go and pick up his fiance and get married.
Then they are off on a brief honeymoon to Mammoth Cave.
“Art works magic,” Savage says.
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