BAAA works hard to celebrate a tradition begun by the first Neanderthal who drew on a rock outside his cave: painting "en plein air".  Today, it’s so popular it’s been referred to as "the new golf".

This year we’re planning several events, on both sides of the Delaware River, including private homes, public libraries, private gardens, historic inns, cityscapes, landscapes, rivers, brooks, and waterfalls. As details become available, we'll provide them below.

So, whether you are an art lover, an aspiring artist, or an accomplished master, revisit this page often.  Or send us an e-mail to get on our plein air mailing list. 

And if we can help your group make a Plein Air come to life, please let us know. 

This project sponsored by the Western Sullivan Public Library and the Barryville Area Arts Association, and made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NY State Legislature and administered by the Delaware Valley Arts Association.

For the first time in history, artists are being formally invited inside the walls of Fort Delaware to capture scenes of historical structures and reenactments of colonial American life.  At Fort Delaware, the daily life of the wilderness settler is explored through exhibits, crafts, and demonstrations.   The Fort is a reconstruction of an original frontier settlement—right on the Delaware River.

Some artists may wish to focus on the stockades and stout log homes; others will be captivated by spinning and weaving barn.   There are also settlers’ cabins; a spinning, weaving and barn loom area; blacksmith shop; a candle-making shed; and a blockhouse, where arms and ammunition were stored. 

No community painting party has ever before included live reenactments by Fort Delaware staff.  They’ll demonstrate 18th century life skills including cooking, baking bread, and dipping candles.

This event is open to artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels.  Art supplies will be on hand for beginners.  The finished art will be on exhibit at a free reception at the Narrowsburg Branch of the Western Sullivan Library on September 2.  Also, on display at the Library from the day of the community painting party through the reception will be a special exhibit on “The History of Plein Air Painting”.

Lunch provided to all participating artists courtesy of Western Sullivan Public Library.

You can share your passion for painting outdoors with kindred spirits at Plein Air Fort Delaware, August 26, 2023, from 10 AM to 2 PM.  This is a free event, but pre-registration is required.  Just email barryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to register.

This event is sponsored by The Delaware Company, BAAA, and the Western Sullivan Library and made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NY State Legislature and administered by the Delaware Valley Arts Association.