Celebrating the creativity of the human spirit and the spectacular beauty of Central Oregon’s Smith Rock, the third annual Smith Rock Plein Air Paint Out is set for June 20. The public is invited to watch as artists from across the Pacific Northwest participate in a timed plein air painting competition followed by a juried exhibition at the Redmond Municipal Airport/Roberts Field.

The High Desert Art League and Smith Rock State Park created this event to bring the experience of the park to new audiences. Smith Rock is a world famous rock-climbing site and is host to miles of hiking and mountain bike trails. The stunning cliffs separate the meandering Crooked River from the distant Cascade Mountains skyline of snow capped peaks; a perfect setting for artists, photographers and nature lovers of all kinds.

The competition is open to all artists working in 2-D media that can be created from start to finish in the park, in the allotted time. “It’s a great experience to watch an artist work from a blank canvas to a finished, framed work of art,” says High Desert Art League President Vivian Olsen. “And quite a treat to be able to purchase the artwork you saw being created following the event.”

A juried exhibition of work created during the event will be held at Redmond’s Roberts Field following the event, June 23 through August 23 where the artwork will be available for purchase.

The June 20 event hours are 8am to 3pm.

The event is free to the public with a State Park Pass or the $5 day use fee. Smith Rock State Park is located at 9241 NE Crooked River Dr. near Terrebonne.

www.smithrockpaintout.com