9/24/25 - This morning's Plein Air Painting Date at the Maxfield Parrish Home in Plainfield has been transitioned to an indoor paint date in the Library Arts Center Studio, due to the wet weather.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Plein Air Experiences

Our open studio art group meets for plein air painting trips throughout the warmer months.

Plein Air Schedule

Plein Air Painting Dates

An ‘En Plein Air’ Art Experience

Guided and Coordinated by artist Heidi Lorenz

Wednesdays Weekly, June – September – 9:30am-12:30pm

Saturdays, once per month – 1:00-4:00pm 

Fee: $8/session for LAC members, $12 for non-members

This drop-in class meets in different inspiring locations throughout the year to draw, paint, sketch or photograph nature in comradery with other outdoor art enthusiasts.  This inclusive and welcoming group is designed to engage artists at all levels & to consider the natural effects of light & its ever changing influences on our landscape. Careful consideration of comfort in your outdoor gear is important when creating art in the open air.  Feel free to bring a full plein air kit or for ease & simplicity bring a simple sketchbook with pencil & pen, or anything you like, whatever works in your favor.  This drop-in series is an opportunity to create a fun community of artists, to be inspired, creative, adventurous, & to be amidst nature in all seasons throughout the year! 

**You can register and pay online in advance, or if needed Heidi can collect cash or check for the class upon arrival.

For any questions, or to ask to be added to the group contact list, please contact Heidi at heidi.libraryartscenter@gmail.com.

Library Arts Center

Plein Air Schedule 2025

June 4 – Moody Park

  •  152 Maple Ave, Claremont, NH 03743 – The gate will be open so we can use the road to the summit of the park & get the fantastic early morning view of Ascutney or explore the wooded paths & plants. 

June 11 – John Hay Estate at the Fells

  •  456 RT 103A Newbury, NH 03255 – The Fells 83.5 acres of beauty & tranquility; learn the legacy of diplomat & statesman John Milton Hay; tour the 22-room Colonial Revival home; explore the forests, walk the woodland trails; & enjoy the renowned gardens. The Fells is listed on the National Register of Historic Places & is a preservation project of The Garden Conservancy. Amenities available. Park entrance fee.  https://thefells.org

June 18 – St. Gaudens National Historic Site

  •  THIS SESSION HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE LIBRARY ARTS CENTER STUDIO DUE TO THE WET WEATHER
    139 Saint Gaudens Road, Cornish, NH 03745 – National Park for the Arts preserves the home & studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). Enjoy the beauty of art & nature. The park & its partners continue the tradition of the Cornish Colony of artists. Unleash your creativity today. Amenities available. Park entrance fee. https://www.nps.gov/saga/index.htm 

June 21 – Enfield Shaker Village – Adventure Painting

  • 447 NH Route 4A, Enfield New Hampshire 03748 – Enfield Shakers (1793-1923) village was the ninth of 18 Shaker communities to be established in this country. At its peak in the mid 19th century, the community was home to three “Families” of Shakers and communal ownership of property.

June 25 – Eco Ag Center & Community Gardens

  •  95 County Farm Rd., Unity, NH is the Sullivan County Conservation District (SCCD) Community Garden, high tunnels, native pollinator gardens, outdoor classroom, fishing dock, & trail used for recreation & education. Amenities available. https://www.sccdnh.org/local-agriculture 

July 2 – Pumpkin Blossom Lavender Farm

  • Pumpkin Blossom Farm, 393 Pumpkin Hill Road, Warner, NH, 03278

Come visit and walk through lavender fields galore smelling the sweet aroma that soothes the spirit. Maybe have a cold glass of lavender lemonade, a picnic lunch or choose to harvest some lavender for yourself after a wonderful morning of painting! If possible please consider carpooling.    https://www.pumpkinblossomfarm.com/

July 9 – Arthur Walsh’s Farm

  • 507 Oak Street, Newport, NH – Arthur’s Farm is a haven for artists. This property abuts the sugar river. There are outbuildings and a large barn and we have access to the house to warm our hands, get a drink and use the bathroom. Arthur has hosted artists previously and is a thoughtful host. One caveat is we don’t let his indoor cat out or his outdoor cat in!!! So please be mindful! 

July 16 – Marianne Roberts

  •  214 Pinnacle Rd, Croydon, NH – a new location, next door to the wonderful Possum Trot Acre.  Marianne says there will be coffee, tea, & treats, we have gardens, interesting rock gardens too, a pond boarded with & an out house, though one can use the indoor facilities. We have a long and winding second driveway.

July 23 – Musterfield Farm

  • Harvey Rd, North Sutton, NH 03260 – Muster Field Farm Museum & The Matthew Harvey Homestead is an 18th Century historic homestead featuring restored farm buildings and a working farm in beautiful North Sutton, New Hampshire.    https://www.musterfieldfarm.com/ 

July 30 – Sanctuary Dairy Farm & Ice Cream Stand

209 Rt 103, Sunapee 03782 – A family run farm & gathering place for all there where you can indulge in their farm fresh, homemade ice cream & more. Amenities available.  https://www.icecreamkidbeck.com

August 6 – Washington Town Center

  • Rt. 31, Washington NH – we will spend the morning in the town center where there is a picturesque town library, country store, band stand, church and more.

August 13 – Alstead Town

  • Bragg Rd, Alstead, NH –  A quintessential New England town with Historical Society, Cold River Access, library, country store and more.

August 16 – Pillsbury State Park

  • This is a lovely place to paint, and a great way to support our parks.  Park admission will apply.  We will meet at the State Park office.

August 20 – Enfield Shaker Village

  • 447 NH Route 4A, Enfield New Hampshire 03748 – Enfield Shakers (1793-1923) village was the ninth of 18 Shaker communities to be established in this country. At its peak in the mid 19th century, the community was home to three “Families” of Shakers and communal ownership of property.

August 27 – Gunnison/Williamson Park – “The Goshen Ocean”

  • Rt 31, Goshen – No amenities.   A gorgeous lake, a trail, woodlands, views of the Monadnock/Sunapee greenway, & two small sandy beaches if you choose to swim. No motor boats on this lake.

September 3 – Langwood Farm

  • 301 Lang Road, Cornish, NH 03745 – The big beautiful barn called ‘Langwood Barn’ in Cornish not too far from the Song Garden! There’s an outside privy of the exceptional kind behind the lilac bush. The street address is located about 500 ft south of the barn. The group should not go up the driveway, but continue on to the barn.  Parking is across the street from the barn & further up the hill from the parking area is a walk on beautiful trails that guests can explore.

September 10 – Heidi’s Farm

  • 700 Mill Village Rd, Goshen, NH 03752 – come visit my farm & paint horses, cats, barns, tractors & more. Amenities available. Please park at the end of the driveway nearest the road so cars do not obstruct possible subjects for painting.

September 17 – Newbury Beach

  • 976 New Hampshire Rte 103, Newbury, NH 03255 – view of Lake Sunapee, docks, train, restaurant, ice cream stand, PO, convenience store & restrooms available nearby.

September 20 – St. Gaudens National Historic Site – Adventure Painting

  • 139 Saint Gaudens Road, Cornish, NH 03745 – National Park for the Arts preserves the home & studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). Enjoy the beauty of art & nature. The park & its partners continue the tradition of the Cornish Colony of artists. Unleash your creativity today. Amenities available. Park entrance fee. https://www.nps.gov/saga/index.htm 

September 24 – The Oaks, Plainfield 

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE LIBRARY ARTS CENTER STUDIO DUE TO THE WET WEATHER

  • 58 Freeman Road, Plainfield, NH 03781 – the current owner of the home has graciously offered our group to come visit the studio & the grounds of the Maxfield Parrish Home. Amenities available.
  • October 1st: Open Studio, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
    October 8th: Plein Air Event at RVCC, 9:00 AM – Noon, followed by an artist reception noon to 1:00 PM (NO STUDIO OCT 8TH)
    October 15th: Return to LAC Studio, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

October 8 – River Valley Community College

  • 1 College Way, Claremont, NH –
    Join us at RVCC for plein air painting 9am-noon before the opening reception of the new exhibit in the RVCC Gallery from noon-1pm. To paint with us in the morning, drive around the building to the back parking lot and there is a little area with a gazebo, as well as a garden, pond and a small walking bridge over the pond by a wooded area that are all nice potential areas to paint! 

October 18 – Musterfield Farm – Adventure Painting

  • Musterfield Farm – Harvey Rd, North Sutton, NH 03260 – Muster Field Farm Museum & The Matthew Harvey Homestead is an 18th Century historic homestead featuring restored farm buildings and a working farm in beautiful North Sutton, New Hampshire.   https://www.musterfieldfarm.com/

An Exhibit featuring Artists from the Library Arts Center’s Plein Air Painting Group:

LEARNING from NATURE

A Plein Air Painting Exhibit

Presented by RVCC Projects

Exhibit Dates: September 22, 2025 – January 9, 2026

Opening Reception: Wednesday, October 8, 12-1pm

River Valley Community College Art Gallery
1 College Way, Claremont, NH  03743 

Admission is Free, and open to the public. 

Exhibiting Artists: 
Mary Bourdon
Alison Clew
Betsy Holmes
Karen Little
Heidi Lorenz
Sara Rae
Chris Rollins
Felicity Sidwell

River Valley Community College is proud to present Learning from Nature, a lively art exhibit celebrating the timeless tradition of plein air painting.  The show features the work of eight talented artists who have participated in the Library Arts Center’s open plein air painting group, guided by artist and arts educator Heidi Lorenz.
Inspired by the words of Vincent van Gogh, “One can never study nature too much
and too hard,” this exhibit invites visitors to experience nature through the eyes of
artists who have immersed themselves in landscapes both near and far. From sunlit
fields and forested trails to mountain vistas and charming town scenes, each piece
reflects the unique beauty of its locale.
The plein air group, hosted by the Library Arts Center in Newport, NH, is a drop-in
series that meets in various inspiring locations throughout the year. Artists gather to
draw, paint, sketch, or photograph the natural world in the company of fellow outdoor
art enthusiasts. “It’s an opportunity to create a fun community of artists, to be
inspired, creative, adventurous, and to be amidst nature in all seasons,” says
Lorenz.  The term en plein air—French for “in the open air”—describes both the practice of
painting outdoors and a philosophy of capturing nature as it is experienced.
Popularized by the Impressionists in the 19th century, plein air painting continues to
offer artists a direct, unfiltered connection to the world around them.
RVCC Projects is thrilled to collaborate with the Library Arts Center and this
dedicated group of painters to bring this exhibit to life. “Learning from Nature” will be
on view at River Valley Community College through January 2026, offering a beacon
of warmth and light during the colder months.

For more information, please visit www.rivervalley.edu/gallery or email
RVCCGallery@ccsnh.edu.