LOCAL ART
A few days ahead of their world record attempt — “Most People Painting Plein Air At Once In One Venue” currently held by the city of Long Getty in New South Wales, Australia, since 2015 — artists spent the day teaching young painters about En Plein Air painting at San Angelo’s Museum of Fine Arts.
According to RecordSetter.com, 156 painters is the number to beat. SAMFA is seeking 200 painters on Saturday, October 24 to break this record. But on Wednesday, artists were teaching students from San Angelo high schools the basics of this classic art.
“En Plein Air” is French for “in the open air” or outdoor painting. You’ve probably seen plenty of people doing it, along the riverwalk or in pop culture, but there’s some special tricks to it.
Students from San Angelo high schools got to spend a day learning with more experienced artists: the 2026 Ranch Fellowship Artists.
Artists Nancy Tankersley, Natalia Nosyk, Richie Vios, and Beth Bathe taught students the fundamentals of this style of painting in a class right on the Concho River. Some of the kids only had experience with digital art, and enjoyed learning how to do things the old fashioned way. While most of the artists used acrylic paint, Vios used a mix of watercolor and acrylic.
They will participate in SAMFA’s record breaking attempt on Saturday. NOTICE: Anyone who wants to participate needs to register starting at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“Bring your favorite painting supplies, invite a friend, and help us make San Angelo part of Plein Air history on October 24.”
