Regardless of the season, Chateau Elan offers countless activities and adventures to fill any itinerary. Wellness, exploration, fitness, rejuvenation — it's all within reach at our North Georgia escape. From sunrise yoga or fireside s'mores, we invite you to explore all our unique experiences during your stay. If you can't find what you're looking for here, just ask.
The French term ‘plein air’ refers to the practice of painting entire pieces of work out in open air environments. At the center of this movement, Olmsted Plein Air invites you to experience the vibrancy and artistic excellence of Plein Air Painting and welcomes you to be a part of history.
Olmsted Plein Air Invitational’s QuickPaint Competition will take place on April 24th and includes invited artists, professionals, and enthusiasts of all levels. Together, competitors will be painting around the spectacular grounds of Chateau Elan over the course of two and a half hours. During this short time, all registered participants will setup their easels and paint en plein air.
Spectators are invited to join in and be immersed within the creative process. See the scenes and how the artists interpret them. Smell the wet paint and get caught up in the joy of watching 100’s of masterpieces come to life before your eyes!
Immediately following, an open exhibition and judging will be held in Chateau Elan’s Winery Pavilion. Paintings created along with a pop-up gallery of paintings by 2021 Featured Artists will be available for purchase.
Olmsted Plein Air Invitational is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that is dedicated to nurturing the visual and cultural art education and experience through the art of plein air painting.
Friday, April 23rd
8:00PM – 10:00PM: Nocturne Plein Air Paintings
An extremely rare occurrence, we are thrilled to host eight artist as they create moonlit masterpieces in the vineyards of Chateau Elan. The public is invited to join masters of nocturn painting and featured artists Amanda Lovett, Doug Clarke, Jill Steenhuis, Patrick Saunders, Steven Walker, Stewart White, Zufar Bikbov, and Kathleen Hudson actively demo sunset and nocturn paintings in the magical setting of Chateau Elan’s hillside vineyard. Anticipating the setting sun, take respite inside in the tasting room. A fun and memorable evening for artists and the public to enjoy.
Nocturne paintings will be on display the next day in the lobby of the Inn at Chateau and available for purchase.
Saturday, April 24th
7:30AM – 9:00AM: QuickPaint Artist Registration
9:00AM: QuickPaint Competition Begins
9:00AM – 11:30AM: Walkabout and Artist Demonstration
The general public is invited to explore the resort grounds as painters create works-of-art throughout the property. Maps will be provided to guests.
11:30AM: QuickPaint Competition Ends
11:30AM – 12:00PM: Art Gallery Set Up Begins
12:00PM – 12:30PM: Art Judging
Open to all guests, please join the Plein Air Judging Panel as they score each work of art in the Winery Pavilion.
12:30PM – 1:00PM: Awards Ceremony
Open to all guests.
1:00PM – 3:00PM: Gallery Walk and Art Sale
Stroll through newly created masterpieces with a glass of wine, while enjoying live music. Seize this extremely rare opportunity to take home a piece of history. Open to all guests.
2:00PM – 3:00PM: Artist Talk and Demonstration
Open to all guests.
3:00PM – 5:00PM: VIP Artist Talk and Demonstration (private event)
We are thrilled to host Jill Steenhuis, world-renowned artist and acclaimed expert on Cezanne and Van Gogh, for a live painting demonstration and talk on “Art, Soul & Destiny.” Jill Steenhuis, graduate of The Marchutz School of Fine Arts in Aix-en-Provence, spent 14 years working out of Cézanne’s studio at the Château Noir. She has exhibited solo shows in New York City, Greenwich, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington DC, Dallas, San Francisco among other major American cities, as well as Melbourne, Australia, Aix-en-Provence and Paris, France. Her work is part of the permanent collections of several museums and important private collections in America, Australia and France.
