Celebrate landscape masterpieces Saturday at Plein Air 2025 Invitational

The Art Spirit Gallery will unveil its latest exhibition, “Plein Air 2025 Invitational,” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Curated by gallery manager Chelsea Cordova and featuring works by a distinguished group of regional artists, this exhibit celebrates the timeless tradition of plein air painting — capturing the beauty of nature directly from life in outdoor settings.

The “Plein Air 2025 Invitational” will be displayed in the Elevated Gallery space and will showcase masterpieces created by 12 artists, including Laurie Carlson, Erin Cassetto, Laura Gable, Del Gish, Wes Hanson, Alex Kargopoltsev, Sally Machlis, L.R. Montgomery, Angelika Wilson-Wipp and Gordon Wilson.

The Significance of plein air art plein air painting — French for “in the open air” — is an enduring tradition that emphasizes direct observation of landscape, light and atmosphere. Artists work outside, often in challenging natural conditions, to create spontaneous, vibrant works that capture the immediacy and essence of their environment. This exhibit features works that range from local scenes of the Pacific Northwest to inspiring vistas from Italy and Germany, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist’s personal outdoor experiences.

Featured artists and their perspectives

• Carlson creates impressionist landscapes that immerse viewers in water reflections and dreamy skies, often painting abstracts and clouds that evoke emotion and movement.
• Cassetto uses her love of hiking and fly fishing to source inspiration from remote wilderness areas, transforming natural scenes into vivid, heartfelt paintings.
• Gable captures the interplay of light and shadow in landscapes and intimate vignettes, emphasizing spontaneity and the fluidity of outdoor observation.
• Gish brings over 60 years of experience, depicting real-life stories of cultures and everyday life through a traditional, realistic approach.
• Hanson’s watercolors and acrylics explore the serenity and wonder of natural landscapes, urging viewers to see the familiar in a new light.
• Kargopoltsev expresses landscapes, seascapes and still life with realism and impressionism, inspired by his Russian roots and travels.
• Machlis infuses her work with social and political commentary, blending painting, calligraphy and collaboration in her mixed media.
• Montgomery shares his deep love for the Northwest’s outdoors, creating paintings that evoke sound, scent and experience.
• Wilson-Wipp offers her vivid interpretations of local and international scenes, capturing the fleeting beauty of nature.
• Wilson emphasizes the relationship of people and place in European landscapes, often painting on site to understand environment and history.

This invitational honors the enduring significance of plein air painting — celebrating its rich history and vibrant future — and highlights the talents of regional artists dedicated to capturing the true essence of landscape in all its forms.

The Art Spirit Gallery is at 415 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

    "Going with the Flow," varnished watercolor, by Erin Cassetto.