McLaughlin Gardens to host plein air painters, fiber and artists

PARIS — “This is the perfect outdoor setting of art and nature,” says Karla Horecky, managing director of McLaughlin Garden & Homestead of this weekend’s Annual Art Fair.

The Foot Hills Rug Hookers at work on the McLaughlin Garden & Homestead in South Paris. Supplied photo

The art fair will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.. Up to a dozen artists will set their easels throughout the garden and paint scenes around the farmstead while fiber artists demonstrate their work at stations set up in the barn and inside the McLaughlin house.

Fiber artist Mary DeLano of Norway will show the process of eco printing, using flowers and plants to dye fabrics while artist.Sarah Shepley will demonstrate gel printing onto fabrics. Ruth Boivert of Bridgton will create needle-felted animal figurines while the Foothills Rug Hookers, this month’s featured artist group at the homestead’s gallery, will do group project demonstrations. And Auburn’s Anna Low of Purplebean Bindery will provide demonstrations of hand binding books.

Artist Sarah Shepley will demonstrate gel printing at McLaughlin Garden & Homesteads Third Annual Art Fair this Sunday. Supplied photo

There will be an artists’ auction: each will assign their piece with a minimum required bid amount. All funds above the minimum ask that are collected will be donated to McLaughlin Garden. Items are set to include plein air paintings, an eco printed scarf, a rug-hooked landscape and other finished pieces.

New this year is an the Artists’ Market. All participating artists will also have other items available for sale, including paintings, sculpture, gemstones and hand-bound journals.

“We have encouraged our artists to promote pieces through broad range of price points,” said Horecky. “This has become a very popular event. People engage with the artists and watch them as they work.”

“Visitors should be prepared to linger,” add DeLano, who is coordinating this year’s art fair with Horecky. “There is plenty of seating inside and out. People can tour the gardens.”

There is is no admission. Visitors may bring their own picnic lunches or other refreshments to enjoy.