Plein Air Peconic Traveling Exhibit Makes A Stop At Clinton Academy

By Eileen Casey

Banner for the Plein Air Peconic traveling exhibition which opened at the Clinton Academy in East Hampton on Saturday, June 13. Photos by Eileen Casey

East Hampton - Plein Air Peconic 2009 artists held an opening exhibition at the historic Clinton Academy in East Hampton on Saturday, June 13. These 12 artists have now shown in Southampton, Greenport, Mattituck, Riverhead, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Quogue, Sag Harbor and the Springs.

Exhibiting artist Eileen Dawn Skretch.

The first art exhibition, Plein Air Peconic I, was organized in 2006 by artist Gordon Matheson, and beginning in 2007, The Peconic Land Trust and the artists agreed to create a traveling exhibition. Each artist donates a portion of all sales of their work to the Peconic Land Trust for land protection and stewardship programs. The Trust was established in 1983, by John v.H. Halsey to protect Long Island's working farms, natural lands, and heritage.

The 12 artists involved in Plein Air Peconic are: Casey Chalem Anderson, Susan D'Alessio, Terry Elkins, Aubrey Grainger, Gail Kern, Tom Steele, Michele Margit, Joanne Rosko, Eileen Dawn Skretch, Kathryn Szoka, Ellen Watson, as well as Gordon Matheson.

Exhibiting on both floors of the historic Clinton Academy, the works by all 12 artists reflect properties in all five of the East End towns, and include working farms, oceanfront properties, woodlands, bayfronts, meadows, and dunes.

Anita Madeira, Tim Barrall, Pam Voth, and exhibiting artist Terry Elkins.

The Clinton Academy was founded in 1784; opened for classes in 1785, and was restored in 1921. A co-educational institution the curriculum was greatly influenced by French academic standards, and offered three departments - the Common School, Academics and Classical.

The 2009 Plein Air Peconic exhibition has been shown at the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton (March); the present exhibiton at the Clinton Academy in East Hampton (151 Main Street, 631-324-1850) will be on view through July 6; and then the exhibition will travel to the Cutchogue Library in August.