(Jackson, WY) - The Grand Teton Association (GTA) and the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters (RMPAP) have announced RMPAP’s return to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) this summer to present “Plein Air for the Park 2013: National Paint Out & Show.”

Over 40 of the country’s most distinguished plein air painters will gather in Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole area to present an exclusive, three-day “wet painting” show and sale. Participating artists will paint “en plein air” beginning July 8, 2013 and continue through July 21, 2013.

Each artist will paint a number of works and display selected paintings in the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor’s Center (CTDC) in Moose, Wyoming. Works will be for sale, and 40% of proceeds benefit GTA, supporting that organization’s educational, interpretive and scientific programs. This year’s show & sale opening reception takes place at CTDC on Thursday, July 18th, beginning at 7:00 pm. Awards will be presented by this year’s judge, Chris Moran.

A number of RMPAP events take place between July 8th and July 21st. They are:

Saturday, July 13th, RMPAP joins the Grand Teton Association's "Artists in the Environment" program for a 3-hour painting demonstration at Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park. Times are 2:00-5:00 pm. Participating artists are RMPAP President Stephen C. Datz, Kathryn Mapes Turner and Jeanne MacKenzie. The artists will also conduct an informal Q&A session during their demonstration. Look for the "Artists Demonstration" banner!

A Quick Draw takes place Saturday, July 20, beginning at 9:00 am, at Menor’s Ferry in GTNP. The public is invited to watch paintings being created start-to-finish and may purchase paintings at the Quick Draw fixed-price sale immediately following, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Monday, July 15th, paintings will be available to preview at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitors Center. Works are available for sale beginning July 15th; the Opening Gala & Reception takes place at the Visitors Center on Thursday, July 18th, beginning at 7:00 pm. The show remains up through July 21st, when the event comes to a close.

“It is a thrill and a pleasure to be back in GTNP and working with Grand Teton Association again this year,” says RMPAP President (and participating artist) Stephen C. Datz. “We welcome the opportunity to continue the artistic tradition at the Park, expand public awareness and appreciation of plein-air painting, and in so doing benefit the exceptional efforts of the GTA on behalf of the Park."

A full list of participating artists is available at Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painter's website: http://www.rmpap.org/national_show/