PAINT THE TOWN: More than 100 Plein Air Painters visiting Vicksburg

Published 12:48 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2022

: Carol Roark, Vicky Ramsay, Debra Myers, Susan Patton, Tammy Cook, Linda Peters and Louise Henry, Mississippi Plein Air Painters, during an event in Laurel. The painters will be in Vicksburg on Friday and Saturday. (Photo Submitted)

Artists from across the South will be in Vicksburg on Friday and Saturday to paint the town.

More than 100 artists will be participating in “Mississippi en Plein Air: A Gathering of Artists,” which is sponsored by Mississippi Plein Air Painters.

MPAP director Linda Peters said the annual event allows artists to come together to network, collaborate and enjoy their love of painting outdoors.

In years past, Peters said, the painting event was held one day only, but this year there was a two-day option.

On Friday morning, artists will tour the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Bess Averett, executive director of Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, said a local ranger who also has a major in art history will give the tour. A boxed lunch will be served following the tour. Also, in the afternoon, artists will also have the opportunity to paint in the park. This event is sponsored by the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.

On Saturday, the group will head to the Firehouse Gallery, home to the Vicksburg Art Association, where they will pick up their registration packets. Once in hand, the group will be “out and about” all over Vicksburg, Peters said.

“You may see painters working at their outdoor easels as early as sunrise in some locations,” she said.

Peters said onlookers are welcome to watch as the artists paint.

“What fun it could be to observe them creating paintings of the city’s beautiful landmarks. So should you run across the Plein Air painters at their easels, please step up and say hello,” Peters said.

In addition to watching an artist paint, Peters said, one may be inclined to purchase a “wet painting right off the easels.”

“You may just see a painting in progress that is meant to go home with you,” she said.

Established in 2014, the Mississippi Plein Air Painters is a group of artists that meet together with the focus of painting outdoors and growing artistically with the help of each other. The group consists of all skill levels of artists working in various mediums, such as oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel.

For more information about the Mississippi Plein Air Painters, follow them on Facebook at Mississippi Plein Air Painters or email MississippiEnPleinAir@gmail.com.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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