Pelham Lyles, Director of the Fairfield County Museum, and Jayne Bloomberg of Ridgeway discuss one of the plein air paintings on display Saturday. | Photos/Barbara Ball
The second annual Oil Painters of America Plein Air Paint Out held throughout downtown Winnsboro was both entertaining and successful as artists set up their easels around town and painted a particular building or landscape. At 5 p.m., the 34 artists and the spectators gathered at the Woman’s Club on Vanderhorst Street for refreshments and the announcement of the winners of the day’s Paint Out.
George Stone won both Best of Show and People’s Choice for his landscape. Gerard Erley placed second and Pete Holland placed third.
-
- George Stone, 1st place. People’s Choice
-
- Gerard Erley, 2nd place
-
- Pete Holland, 3rd place.
-
- Adelle Pauley snaps a pic of her favorite painting.
-
- Linda LaRose with artist Jeanine Jones
More wonderful events like this and perhaps Fairfield County can come out of its doldrums and remake itself as the cultural mecca that it used to be and still has potential to be. We have the bones in place with the Pinetree Players Theatrical group, the Fairfield County Museum, the SCRailroad Museum Barbara Yongue’s promotion of visual art, and various musical talents such as Susan and Cary Taylor (and the Douglass family members), the Johnson family string quartet, Chuck Herrin, FC Chamber of Commerce offerings, etc, etc. The tail wagging the dog (Ridgeway) is an example to all of us about how a small town can capitalize on its assets. It takes participation and volunteerism…Please take part in the offerings that you will see mentioned in this newspaper.