The event honors the life and legacy of the late Marquita Call, founder of the original Camas Plein Air event and owner of Camas Gallery

Thirty-three talented artists signed up to compete in the Camas Plein Air event and tribute to Marquita Call on Oct. 5. Portland artist Ken Klos’ painting was selected first place and earned him a $1,000 cash prize. Second place with $500 cash was awarded to Ray Baxter from Ridgefield. Wayne Chin claimed third place and received a $200 cash prize. 

A people’s choice award with $50 was presented to Chris Rectenwald. A total of five artists each received an honorable mention and $50. Those artists included Kathleen Fajardo, Jennifer Mark, Susan Charnquist, Anna Norris, and Bill Martini.  Jurist Susan Elwart Hall judged the event. She is a Camas resident with a long and successful career in the arts and is an accomplished, award winning plein air artist.

All total, $2,000 in cash prizes were awarded in what is likely to become one of the region’s premier plein air competitions. Mother Nature provided a perfect day on the beautiful tree-lined streets of Camas with its Autumn glory. Downtown Camas, noted for its hometown ambience and beautiful boutique store fronts, is a popular attraction to plein air artists. 

Plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air” and refers to the act of painting an entire finished painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. Painting en plein air allows artists to capture the emotional and sensory dimensions of a particular landscape at a moment in time.

“We are thrilled with how this event turned out,” said Joanne Cavallaro, one of the artist partners at Gallery 408 which helped sponsor the event. “The caliber of talented artists who showed up to paint on our downtown streets was absolutely stellar. Together with RedDoor Gallery, we are looking forward to bringing Camas to the next level as a destination for artists and collectors alike,” added Cavallaro.

The event honors the life and legacy of the late Marquita Call, founder of the original Camas Plein Air event and owner of Camas Gallery who was a tireless promoter of art. For more information about next year’s event, contact Liz Pike, artist and partner at RedDoor Gallery; (360) 281-8720 or email: pikeadvertising@comcast.net.