Susquehanna Summer Solstice Fest
Plein-Air Painting Competition
and art Show
Part music festival, part arts festival, the Susquehanna Summer Solstice Fest’s plein-air painting competition and art show invites 30 artists of any experience level to spend the week producing new paintings of the charming landscapes, towns, and people along the Susquehanna River North Branch around French Azilum.
The plein-air event culminates in a juried art show and awards ceremony on Friday evening, extending through the weekend. This show coincides with the music festival and provides festival attendees the opportunity to browse new artworks, meet the artists, and make purchases to take home.
What is "plein air"?
Plein-air (French: “outdoors”) painting or en plein air refers to the act of painting landscapes or other scenes outdoors. The technique developed in France in the 1800’s as paint tubes and other industrial advancements enhanced the portability of painting materials.
2025 Plein-air Artists
Learn more about the visiting plein-air artists participating in the 2025 Susquehanna Summer Solstice Fest!
Be a Solstice Fest Painter
Plein-Air Schedule
Mon Jun 16
8:30 am Arrive at French Azilum (FA). Proceed to the Pavilion Gallery
9:00 am Mandatory orientation and panel stamping. Don’t miss this as we have important basics to
cover!
10:30 am Paint anywhere at FA or in the region (within 35 miles).
9:30 am – Meet the Juror – Steve Sliwinski will offer his ideas, thoughts and inspirations for your
consideration
4:00 pm Paint in downtown Wyalusing, PA. Stay for a nocturne painting.
Tue Jun 17
Daytime Paint anywhere in the region.
4:00 pm Bring in two or three pieces to display on your easel (work need not be plein air)
5:00 pm Meet-and-Greet at Grovedale Winery in Wyalusing. Schmooze, meet the SF committee, fellow
artists, patrons, and community members. Wine and refreshments served.
7:00 pm Special talk on our regional and national art history by Jan Lokuta.
Wed Jun 18
All day Paint Troy, PA: Set up around town and capture the beauty of historic architecture or nearby
landscapes. There will be awards for paintings of Troy.
Thu Jun 19
Morning Paint anywhere in the region.
Fri Jun 20
Daytime Paint anywhere in the region.
12:00 pm Bring your framed work into the FA Pavilion Gallery and hang your work (up to five pieces).
Each artist will have a designated panel.
2:00 pm Judging
3:30 pm Awards ceremony and juror’s commentary. Evening music starts at FA. (If you paint the
figure, consider working from performers.
Sat Jun 21
French Azilum Day- This is the time to set up on the grounds or surrounding area to paint the historic
site. (We will have a (second) awards ceremony on Sunday for the Best FA Depiction and for the
Quick Draw, possibly other awards too.)
10:00 am Children’s mural with Jan Lokuta
11:00 am Landscape painting demo
Our esteemed Juror for 2025 is Steve Sliwinski of Troy, PA. Steve is long-time educator, jeweler and
active artist working in several media including watercolor, acrylic and pastel. And Steve has worked
en plein air from our region’s landscapes as well as in Maine. So Steve has an affinity for the process
of outdoor painting, which makes him well-suited for or fest.
Sun Jun 22
French Azilum Day Part Two
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Quick draw event
12:00 pm Display your quick draw piece in the gallery- designate it on the label as QD.
1:00 pm Oil portrait demo from a model- by SSSF artistic director and founder, Brian Keeler.
4:00 pm Final awards ceremony
5:00 pm Pick up unsold work. Farewell, and see you next year!
2025 Plein-Air Juror
Steve Sliwinski
Our esteemed Juror for 2025 is Steve Sliwinski of Troy, PA. Steve is long-time educator, jeweler and active artist working in several media including watercolor, acrylic and pastel. And Steve has worked en plein air from our region’s landscapes as well as in Maine. So Steve has an affinity for the process of outdoor painting, which makes him well-suited for or fest.
2025 Plein-Air Awards
Over $4000 in awards will be presented Friday, June 20 at 3:30pm