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Rolling hills and winding creeks splitting the canyons, historical buildings in Moscow capturing iconic statements with brilliant colors and wildflower beds come alive through the paintings of the Plein Air art competition.

“Plein Air is painting out in open air,” said city of Moscow Art Director Kathleen Burns. “It’s painting in the elements, not off of a photograph.”

Since 2009, the city of Moscow, Moscow Arts Commission and Prichard Art Gallery have worked together to put on the Palouse Plein Air art competition. This competition gives artists in the Palouse area, and from all over Washington and Idaho, the chance to expand their horizons, stretch their comfort zones and paint outside on the spot.

“(Plein Air) is really special because most people don’t have experience painting out in the environment,” Burns said. “All of the elements will affect the painting, (and) they affect the artist.”

Burns believes this is a very successful program, seeing as this is the seventh year it has run.

“It’s built a history,” she said. “People come from all different areas to paint in this competition.”

Many students have participated in this event in the past. For this reason, University of Idaho and Washington State University students are able to enter the competition at a discounted price of $15.

The competition runs from Sept. 19 – Sept. 28. The artists will have this week to use any medium they wish to paint any outdoor scene within a 50-mile radius of Moscow. One of the most popular places to paint is the Moscow farmer’s market with all the colorful fruit and vegetables for backdrops, Burns said.

On Sept. 28, the artists have the opportunity bring a maximum of three framed pieces to the first floor of the Moscow City Hall. The paintings will be displayed in the Prichard Art Gallery from Sept. 30 – Oct. 8. This year, the gallery showing will take place during the University of Idaho Homecoming.

The reception and awards ceremony will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. on Sep. 30 at the Prichard Art Gallery. This event is free and open to the public. The first place winner will be awarded $100. Special awards will be given for topics such as Artists’ Choice, People’s Choice, Best Historical and others.

“This event is so important because it’s very difficult,” Burns said. “It’s incredibly important to keep the local artists challenged.”