Plein air event set in honor of Ronald

Jack Ronald was known for his love of nature, whether in his backyard or strolling local trails.

He was also a lover of art, both collecting and creating.

And he was a longtime board member and supporter for Arts Place.

Artists will gather in his honor and memory Saturday as the Jay County Campus of Arts Place hosts the inaugural Jack Ronald Spring Paint Out.

Since Jack’s death just over two years ago, his family had been looking for a way to honor his memory in connection with Arts Place. There was talk of a large sculpture, though a small sculpture — Dancer and Bird by Robert Pulley — is displayed in the reception area at the Jay County Campus.

When Connie Ronald, Jack’s widow, attended a plein air painting event hosted by Richmond Art Museum last summer, it sparked an idea.

“I thought, ‘You know, I think Jack would have enjoyed that,” Connie said. “I don’t know whether he would have participated, but he might have. …

“Jack liked to go out with a sketchbook and like to sketch plein air.”

She presented the possibility of hosting a plein air event — “en plein air” is “in the open air” in French — to Arts Place executive director Carolyn Carducci. 

(Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are among the more famous plein air painters.) She felt it was a natural fit.

“We’re always looking for new and interesting things to try, and obviously we wanted to honor Jack,” said Carducci, adding that Arts Place could host a similar event out of its Blackford County center next year. “He had been very committed to Arts Place and the arts in Jay County.”

Plans for Saturday involve artists checking in at Arts Place from 8 to 9 a.m. and then painting on location for the day.

Following the pattern from the Richmond event, Arts Place is providing a list of suggested painting locations including Hudson Family Park, Portland’s arch bridge, Floral Hall at Jay County Fairgrounds, Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, Bearcreek Farms, Jay County Courthouse, Portland Golf Club, Church of the Most Holy Trinity and the Fort Recovery State Historic Site.

“Artists can paint wherever they want to,” Connie said. “It’s gonna be interesting to see where people decide to go.”

“We have a lot of beautiful and historical things in Jay County,” said Carducci.

Once their works are complete, artists will return to Arts Place where a meal will be provided to them in the late afternoon. They will set up their creations in Goodrich Hall at Arts Place and will also be allowed to bring other works to display. The exhibit and sale — each artist will be responsible for handling their own transactions and Arts Place is not charging any commission — will be open to the public from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

An award ceremony — visitors to the exhibit can vote for a People’s Choice winner and there will also be winners selected by Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake and the Alcove Artists — will be at 6:20 p.m.

Arts Place will continue to accept registrations — the form is available at myartsplace.org — this week until the limit of 25 painters is reached. The event is open to anyone, from students to amateur artists to professionals. (Artists are responsible for bringing their own supplies, including easels for painting and exhibiting.)

“This is just to appreciate the fact that people like to go out and draw and paint,” said Connie. “No requirements for skill levels. I have no idea who’s going to show up. …

“I really hope that some of them work in places where people can come and see. I also hope people come and see the results.”