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SYRACUSE - Twenty-five artists painted various scenes around Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake in the second annual Chautauqua-Wawasee Plein Air Paint-Out over Friday and Saturday.
Led by Dave Broerman, a Lake Papakeechie cottage owner, the event grew from 15 artists in 2024.
Local artists joined artists across Northern Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“Wawasee is a painter’s paradise, while the town of Syracuse has kept its small town charm,” said artist Susan Ritter from Toledo.
Artists were treated to a Friday night cookout.
Jessie Doyle’s painting “Back Waters” won the $1,000 Best in Show award.
Erica Coffee’s painting “Between the Lakes” won the $500 WACF award.
Margaret Robinson won $350 for her painting of the Wawasee Sailing Club and Susan Ritter won $350 for her painting of the Oakwood Chapel.
In addition, Brenda Stichler, Robert Roberts, Susan Ritter, Jessee Doyle and Jody Prokupek won merit awards. And, purchase awards were given to three painters.
“All told, artists received $4,400 in awards for paintings created over the weekend,” said Dave Broerman, president of Northern Indiana Plein Air Artists Association.
Patrons at the Wawasee Fine Arts Festival held at Oakwood on Saturday purchased 11 paintings created during the Paint-Out. Many remaining paintings are available for purchase during the next month at the Wawasee Fine Arts Gallery, 10601 Ind. 13, next to South Shore Social.
On May 28-30, Chautauqua Wawasee and Northern Indiana Plein Air Artists Association will also host their annual three-day Plein Air workshop. This sold-out workshop will be led by Mary Ann Davis, an award-winning Indianapolis artist. In addition, the free weekly Plein Air Artists gatherings begin June 4 and continue each Wednesday night during June and July.
“The Plein Air series is an important part of our long-term vision to help make Wawasee and the region an artist destination,” said Mark Knecht, Chautauqua’s president.
For more information, see www.chautauquawawasee.org.
