The Plein Air Festival is happening this week in Driggs, Idaho.
The festival is an opportunity for artists from all over the country to come experience the landscape of Idaho and make art inspired by it and is put on by the Downtown Driggs Association.\
The festival lasts until Saturday and has many different activities happening every day starting at 9 a.m. The main events take place at Driggs City Center and Plaza, found at 60 S. Main Street.
There are opportunities to win awards each day as artists compete in quick draw events where the community can vote on their favorite paintings, as well as the final competition where judges will decide the winning art and award the winners with cash prizes and art items.
“It takes them hours to go through all of the competition pieces. Typically they'll each choose a handful, lock themselves into a room and when they emerge hours later, they'll have decided on first place, second place, third place and fourth place. We have honorable mentions as well. It's a long process and these judges are experts. They've all done this many times and they have a real sense of a unique painting, a unique tone, maybe a unique composition or perspective, and something that really stands out from the rest,” said Lisa Simmons, the executive director of the Downtown Driggs Association.
After the final awards ceremony, the Black Rock Win Quintet will perform a free concert for the community starting at 6 p.m.
The event allows for artists, art lovers and buyers to come together and appreciate art.
“Our community can mingle with the artists and fellow art lovers and music lovers. And it's just a wonderful way to celebrate the beauty of our Valley,” said Simmons.
You can find more information at dowtowndriggs.org.