This month in the Underground Gallery at the Harrison Center, we have a very exciting show which is brought to us by the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association (IPAPA). The IPAPA is a group whose mission is to educate painters and viewers alike on the importance and significance of plein air painting, which is the art of painting – traditionally landscape and nature paintings – outdoors as opposed to inside a studio. Along with IPAPA’s goal to educate people on what plein air painting is all about, they also aim to revive and restore appreciation for Indiana landscape paintings. All of the pieces in this show in the Underground Gallery are plein air paintings depicting scenes from different outdoor places in Indiana, including scenes of nature and landscapes.

There were sixty-two IPAPA artists who submitted a piece to be judged in this show. They all show different styles of painting and different focuses in terms of subject matter, size and medium – the only thing that all sixty-two of these paintings have in common is the fact that they are all plein air paintings. Many merit awards were granted during this show, and you can read all of the merit award winners on the IPAPA website. Here, I will be recognizing those who came in the top three as well as the winner of best in show.

Swamp Thing, Kyle Ragsdale — *Swamp Thing*, Kyle Ragsdale

The artist who received the award for best in show is Kyle Ragsdale, who also has a studio at the Harrison Center and has an independent show in the Main Gallery right now entitled Zephyr. Kyle Ragsdale was awarded best in show for his piece, Swamp Thing.

Sycamore Fall, Barbara Knuckles — *Sycamore Fall*, Barbara Knuckles

The first-place prize was awarded to Barbara Knuckles for her beautiful piece entitled Sycamore Fall.

Footbridge Trail Creek, Alan Larkin — *Footbridge Trail Creek*, Alan Larkin

Alan Larkin received the second-place award for Footbridge Trail Creek, and the third-place winner was Curt Stanfield for his piece January Flooded Cornfield.

January Flooded Cornfield, Curt Stanfield — *January Flooded Cornfield*, Curt Stanfield

Each year the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association also gives a People’s Choice award, so if you are able to see the show in person, be sure to vote on your favorite of these amazing pieces! This show will be hanging in the Underground Gallery through December 27, 2020, so there’s still plenty of time to check it out at the Harrison Center. Or check out the online gallery here!

IPAPA: Plein Air Group Show