Main Street Arts

10/17/2026

10/15/2026

Join us on Saturday, October 24from 12-3pm with Artist & Instructor Kerry Dorn for a Pastel Workshop en plein air (outdoors)! This is a fun class--for all levels of students--that helps unleash your creativity while you enjoy nature.

This workshop theme aligns with our recent main gallery group exhibition theme, "Plein Air in Clifton Springs," (September 12-October 14).

Class will start inside at MSA, then move outside to draw along the streetscape/the landscape within the town of Clifton Springs.

We still have seats available!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plein-air-workshop-tickets-2003074899947?aff=erellivml

10/14/2026

The 6th Annual Plein Air in Clifton Springs exhibition (2026) is a wrap...see you again next year Plein Air Artists!

note: MSA reopens to the public on Saturday, November 7th @ 11am for the 13th Annual Small Works exhibition.

10/13/2026

There's just 1 more day until the 6th Annual Plein Air exhibition comes down--so catch this great exhibition before the winds of autumn carry it away...
..Here are some images of the artists out painting on September 12th, the day of the event!

10/11/2026

Plein Air continues through this wednesday 10/14! So stop in on tuesday or wednesday to catch this local work before it's gone!

Photo credits: Tom Kredo

10/09/2026

10/07/2026

Plein Air 2026 - Staff Choice 2 Awarded by Joe O'Toole, Community Outreach & Administrative Support

Scott Nost
“Warfield's at Dawn”
Location: Hospital Swan Pond
Oil on panel
11"x17"

It was such a difficult decision to choose just one of the beautiful works by the many talented artists who participated in our sixth annual “Plein Air in Clifton Springs” event; however, for my “Staff Choice Award,” I selected Scott Nost’s oil painting titled Warfield’s at Dawn. There were many reasons for this decision–some based on technique and some based on emotion.

The first thing that drew me into the painting was Scott’s composition. His use of strong diagonal lines draws the viewer’s eye directly to the center of the painting, creating a sense of depth. This is enhanced by the chiaroscuro, or interplay of light and dark values, with the lighter colors again drawing the viewer in. In the darker areas, such as the garden in the foreground, small pops of color encourage the viewer to engage with the work in a search for detail: a small flower, a fountain, a fence.

Scott’s bold choice of accent color–especially the magenta in the windows (one of my favorite colors)–resonated with me. Also, his subject appealed to me on an emotional level, simultaneously recalling my fondness for historic architecture as well as the many enjoyable times spent with friends and family sharing meals, drinks, and laughs in Warfield’s garden. The fact that I could feel all of that in a painting created in less than four hours is amazing.

Many thanks to Scott and to all the plein air artists for a job well done!

10/03/2026

Plein Air 2026 Best in Show-Awarded by Heather Olson, ED & Gallery Curator

'Last Rites' by Nancy Lane
Painted: September 12, 2026
Location: County Road 27 & Field Road
Oil on Canvas, 24" w x 12" h

Selecting a single work that defines "the best" in any exhibition is never easy. Plein Air work painted within a set timeframe is even harder to critically assess knowing that each artist works diligently under this framework. Several pieces caught my eye knowing that each was created in under 4 hours at this year's event on Saturday, September 12th.

Yet Nancy Lane's work truly reflects her commitment to and years of dedicated artistic practice. 'Last Rites' reflects her close observation and attention to detail in landscape and site in general; Additionally, it reveals "microcosms" or "mini ecosystems" in oils upon the canvas that are vivid, compelling, harmonious in color, value, texture...and beyond.

Also commendable is her sgraffito technique implemented in the lower 1/3rd (long vegetation stems) as well as her dynamic range of value displayed within foreground and mid-ground vegetation. Lastly her sculpting of light upon the barn's gambrel roof, moss intermixed with old shingles, and soft edge treatment along the right edge all help the viewer understand a specific structure and setting. The barn is so well anchored, within and among the field, that it nearly echoes stories of the past, animals sheltered under it's massive old beams, and weather and years it has endured. It is for these reasons and so many more that I selected this work for Best in Show. Congrats to Nancy Lane!

10/02/2026

Plein Air 2026 - Staff Choice 1 Awarded by Laura Longyear, Gallery & Office Assistant

Valentina Yannotti
“Cohabitate”
Location: Hospital Swan Pond
Oil
16”x12”

I chose Valentina Yannotti’s plein air artwork to receive the Staff Choice Award #1 because it portrays cohabitation in a unique way between a swan and koi fish. The angle of the swan’s body draws the eye down to the koi swimming below. The quick brush strokes make the fish appear to be swimming, and the placement of the swan and koi is well thought out and balanced. I thought the limited color palette was striking and liked how the orange underpainting peaks through the dark shade of grey in the background.