A new artists group has been formed Tryon Area Plein Air Society (TAPAS). En plein air is a French expression which means in the open air, and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors.

Artists have long painted outdoors, but in the mid-19th century working in natural light became particularly important to the Barbizon school and Impressionism. The popularity of painting en plein air increased in the 1870s with the introduction of paints in tubes.

Tryon has a long history of artists painting en plein air both individually and in groups and this group will strive to continue that tradition.

The goal of TAPAS is to organize a group of artists with an interest in participating and promoting plein-air painting. The group hopes to connect members with each other so they will always have painting companions and opportunities to paint the great outdoors and local landscapes.

The group also plans to make the community aware of plein air painting by exhibiting its work and organizing paint outs. The paint outs for the next six months will be held on the first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.

The first paint out will take place at Harmon Field on December 4 at 1 p.m. The group will meet around the log cabin to start. There is no cost for the group; bring your own supplies.

Email nctapas@gmail.com for more information. You may also contact Jocelyn Davis at 828-894-5671 or Carl Cartee at 864-457-5122 if you would like to ask questions.