More than 90 artists applied to participate, and only 40 were selected. Several artists are coming from as far away as Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia and Maryland, in addition to artists from neighboring states, Canada, and a good number from New York.

“I started painting outdoors way back in about 1987, not knowing there was such a thing as plain air painting,” said Pol Skardenni, an artist from the Faroe Islands. “It seemed so natural to stand out in front of the subject, instead of painting from a photo. Gradually it developed into a kind of sport to reach the limit of what could be done in terms of wind and weather.”

When asked about why he applied to the Adirondack Plein Air Festival, Pol stated, “I am the only plein air painter here in the Faroe Islands, and it can sometimes seem a little lonely, not being able to share the passion with like-minded people. We have no forests here in the Faroe Islands, so painting Adirondack will be a bit of a challenge. It seems like there is a relaxed atmosphere, the level is reasonably high and then it is also the fact that our national airline had plans to fly directly to an airport somewhat north of New York.”

In all, 25% of the artists are new to the festival, and the rest include five previous winners, most notably, George Van Hook, from Cambridge, New York. He is a three-time winner (2013, 2016 and 2023). A number of our artists have been winners at other major plein air events.

Artists spend five-and-a-half days (and nights) outdoors painting local landscapes, communities and events.

Spectators are welcome. People are encouraged to stop and watch artists at work. A schedule and list of painting locations can be picked up at event headquarters, the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, 52 Main St., Saranac Lake.

Friday morning, artists will be at the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club, which is a good location for spectators.

On Friday, Aug. 16, the Special Preview Party opens in the Harrietstown Town Hall in Saranac Lake, from 6 to 9 p.m., where over $5,000 in awards will be given out. Tickets are $20 per person, and refreshments and food from local restaurants will be provided and juror Eric Rhoads will announce the winners at 7:30 p.m.

New in 2024, the Adirondack Rail Trail Association is sponsoring a $500 award for the best painting done from the rail trail section between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Several hundred fresh, newly painted Adirondack paintings will be on display and for sale at the town hall. Saranac Lake ArtWorks is also holding a special raffle this year, with three plein air paintings and a pair of Cape Air tickets to Boston — the prize winners drawn at the conclusion of the festival.

On Saturday, there will be a Quick Draw competition from 9 to 11 a.m. Artists will have just two hours to complete a painting and bring it to the steps of the town hall, where a winner will be selected. The big exhibit will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the town hall, with free admission, but at 5 p.m., whatever paintings are left get packed up and the artists go home.

Visit saranaclakeartworks.org to see the full schedule and learn more.