05 Sep Photos: Art Crit Field Trip in New Salem

We discovered something special that we didn’t know existed in the county where we live.

In New Salem there’s a museum surrounded by gardens and geese that collects art mostly from still-living artists.

They put on an international painting competition every year that awards one contemporary representational painter $35K to acquire their painting and display it in their permanent collection.

They also host live figure drawing sessions and classes with world-renowned artists.

The crew of us that meets every week to critique each other’s work took a field trip there and left all fired up and inspired. If you’re in the area or visiting it’s worth the pretty drive. And if you’re a representational painter, submit your work to the competition! Some folks here are thinking about it…