On Saturday 23 and Saturday 30 November, Albert Park’s community arts gem Gasworks Arts Park is hosting a brand new visual arts event, Paint Out – a visual symphony of colour, motion and live painting, where the audience becomes part of the landscape scene.
Based on the French expression “En Plein Air”, meaning “in the open air”, a phrase commonly use to reference the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view, Paint Out invites professional and amateur artists, arty people and nature lovers into the lush arts park to participate in live painting in action, acting as either as the artist or the voyeur.
Each day is open to 40 participants of any age, ability or skill set, who are encouraged to paint, draw or sketch anywhere within the park that inspires them within an allocated timeframe of three hours. Those eager to observe live art in action are encouraged to grab a picnic rug and get cozy in the park with friends, or wander around the precinct and peek over the shoulders of the artists.
According to Gasworks’ Visual Arts manager Tracey McIrvine, Paint Out is an event that breaks down the gallery walls and encourages social inclusion in a non-competitive arena, benefitting both artist and the viewer.
“For artists, Paint Out is an antidote for the isolation that comes from working within a studio, which can often be a very anxious place when you’re striving for perfection,” Ms McIrvine says.
“Unlike other events of its kind, the wellbeing benefits of Paint Out are huge. The non-competitive nature of the event breaks down the barriers of gallery walls and ensures inclusion from everybody. Being in the outdoors assists with vitamin D infusion, which aids the immune system, and we’ve intentionally staged the event between 11am – 2pm so all participants receive the maximum amount of sunlight during the day.”
Once time is up and paintbrushes are down, all artworks will be transferred over to the gallery walls for a pop-up Paint Out exhibition, running from Saturday 23 November to Sunday 15 December. All artworks in the exhibition will be in the running to win one of four $1000 cash prizes, awarded on Tuesday 3 December from 6-8pm at the exhibition launch.
Registrations to participate in Paint Out are open now via the Gasworks website.
*Note to media: As this is the first event of its kind, Gasworks does not have any high res images, aside from general photos of the park. If you are eager to set up a shoot, please get in touch.
Gasworks Arts Park presents
Paint Out
Paint Out: Saturday 23 and Saturday 30 November.
Arrival Time: 10am – 10.30am *please leave plenty of time to find your spot and set-up
Paint Out Start Time: 11am (siren will sound)
Paint Out End Time: 2pm (siren will sound)
Pop Up Exhibition: Saturday 23 November – Sunday 15 December
