At this Lee’s Summit fest, artists and art-lovers connect with nature — and one other

Ever wish you were right next to an artist when a picture was being created? Summit Art’s Plein Air Festival is offering that chance. Back for its third year, the art event runs June 14 to 17.

Artists from the metro area and beyond are gathering at Crestview Dairy to mix the art of nature with a little paint. On Thursday, many will also be painting all around downtown Lee’s Summit.

The concept of plein air is that artists paint the landscape in front of them, relying on their unique observation. Because light and weather conditions can change rapidly, these artists have to work much more quickly than they would in a studio setting. Festival rules don’t allow for using any reference photos.

It’s not easy, but lots of artists relish the opportunity.

“I think you could line up 100 artists on a hill, point them in one direction, say, ‘Paint this, what you see,’ and … they would all come away with a different perspective of what they’re looking at,” said Teddy Jackson, co-founder of the festival. “To me, that is just amazing: The creativity, the creation takes on a different view with each person.”

Jody Fristoe, director of Summit Art, expects approximately 75 artists to take part in the event.

“What I think is really special is when members of the public who don’t know what painting on plein air is, when they come out and experience it ,,, they’re actually watching art being created before them of a scene that they’re actually standing in,” Fristoe said. “It’s a unique experience for them, and it connects them to the art.”

Jackson has been painting in plein air competitions for about 20 years and jumped at the chance to bring one to the Lee’s Summit area.

“It’s very special to be able to get out and connect with nature and to be able to paint with friends. Working in the studio is kind of a lonesome job, and plein air helps you to connect with your fellow artists in so many different ways,” she said.

There’s also a competitive element to the festival. Five general awards are up for grabs, from a $1,000 best of show title down to a $100 honorable mention. Saturday morning, there’s a separate two-hour quick paint competition. Former Hallmark artist Patrick Saunders will be judging the all the selections.

Artists can also compete for three purchase awards for the downtown Lee’s Summit component of the festival. Country Club Bank, Dean’s Trophies and Budget Blinds have each committed to spend $300 on a painting of their choosing completed on Thursday from one of the plein air artists.

The whole festival is open to the public, though what day you should go depends on the experience you want to have. If you want to actually watch the artists work, then stop by downtown on Thursday or Crestview Dairy Friday or Saturday.

Friday night and Saturday have additional entertainment options at the dairy site. Friday night at 6 p.m. Big Show Dueling Pianos will perform, and both Chef Aristo’s Eatery and Touring Taps will be out with their food trucks.

Saturday, a $5 fishing derby for kids runs from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. with Ice Cream on Wheels nearby. The Summit Theatre Group will be performing selections from their upcoming show, “The Little Mermaid,” and the Lee’s Summit Symphony Ensemble will also be playing.

Also on Saturday, members of Summit Art’s student advisory council will be providing free face painting for kids.

All of the art created during the festival will be for sale almost as soon as it’s finished — even before all the paint is dry.