Our 2024 Plein Air Painting Series offers art instruction on site at the Neilson Spearhead Center nature preserve!

The definition of “en plein air” is, “the open air, especially the daylight of outdoors”. Painting outdoors encourages thoughtful engagement with, and care for, our local ecosystem. We look forward to welcoming you to the Neilson Spearhead Center to create art and connect with nature in a new way.

Participants will be led by local artist Gillian Bedford in techniques for painting outside, using acrylics to capture the landscape. Gillian’s approach as a teacher is to offer simple techniques as tools, and to encourage her students in finding their own artistic voice.

Each class will cover similar techniques, with suggestions from Gillian for how to challenge yourself with something new. You may attend either class individually, or take both.

Registration - Click here to Register

$20 per class - Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society Members

$30 per class - Non-members

Become an MHAS member for as little as $25 annually, and support our work offering education about conservation and our local ecosystem! Learn more about membership here.

About Your Instructor: Gillian Bedford

Gillian Bedford is a Minnesota Landscape artist working mainly in acrylics. She also has 30 years of experience in oils and watercolor mediums.

Three years ago, Bedford started primarily using acrylics while she was on the road across America. Her cross-country painting vistas started in her original Philadelphia studio and traveled through Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon, Washington, California and Arizona. Her final destination, and current favorite subject, is the North Woods of Minnesota– her new resident state.

Learn more about Gillian and her work here:
https://gillianbedford.com/