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When University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumna Joye Moon ’84, of Oshkosh, paints outdoors … en plein air … she feels a certain freedom and spontaneity in her work.

“Once I paint a scene, it is etched indelibly into my mind,” she said.

Moon is among the artists planning to leave their studios behind and set up their easels outside as they take part in the upcoming four-day Plein Air Festival, sponsored by the Oshkosh Fine Arts Association.

Participants will paint a variety of outdoor scenes around Oshkosh Aug. 16-18.

On Thursday, painting will take place from 5 to 10 a.m. for sunrise at Menominee Park and from 5:45 to 10 p.m. at Waterfest at the Leach Amphitheater. On Friday, the artists will paint from 9 a.m. to noon at the Paine Art Center and Gardens; and from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fox River Brewing Co. On Saturday, they will be set up from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the downtown Farmers Market; and at Oshkosh Jazz Festival Meets the Arts along the riverwalk at 362 Michigan St., east of William Steiger Park near the Michigan Street fishing dock.

On Sunday, Aug. 19, the festival will conclude with an artists’ reception, show and sale held in UWO’s Alumni Welcome and Conference Center from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“Our mission is to bring the arts to the community,” said Moon, who is a member of the association. “After 60 years of presenting the Winnebagoland Art Fair, we decided to jump on the band wagon with a plein air event. Plein air festivals are sweeping the country and beyond. By organizing this event, anyone from the public can watch the artists paint as well as engage them in conversation.”

Moon, who has taught plein air painting on international trips, said the festival will showcase the beauty of Oshkosh.

“Our hope is to have people from the community love the paintings of their hometown so much that they want to participate in the event as well as buy one for their home or donate a painting to a facility in Oshkosh,” she said.

Additional UWO alumni planning to take part in the festival include: Anoush Cowles, Fond du Lac; Kathryn Dreifuerst, Fond du Lac; and  Michael Reif, of Menasha;

For artists, Moon said painting outdoors takes a different mindset than working in the studio.

“I travel light with my supplies,” she said. “I only take what is essential for the painting. I don’t even use a stool and sometimes not even an easel. Less is more in most cases.”

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