(Jackson, Wyoming) - "PLEIN AIR FOR THE PARK," the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters (RMPAP) 11th Annual National Paint-Out and Exhibition, takes place July 1 – 15, 2012 in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). The two-week paint out brings together 44 professional artists from around the country, an event that is the first of its kind. Beginning July 1st, participating artists (including several Jackson-based painters) will paint in GTNP and the Jackson Hole, Wyoming area. Artists will also conduct painting demonstrations daily at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitors Center (CTDVC) beginning July 7th. Times are 9-11 AM and 4-6 PM, with the exception of Sunday, July 15th, when only a morning demonstration is planned.

Celebrating the Grand Teton Association's 75th Anniversary and GTNP's rich tradition of landscape painting, the schedule of events includes, and is, a fundraiser to benefit GTNP. In addition to multiple opportunities to watch plein air artists in action, working on paintings start to finish, "Plein Air for the Park" will hold a Quick Draw on Thursday, July 12th, at CTDVC, 4-6:00 pm--beneath a Tetons late afternoon summer sky.  Free and open to the public, the Quick Draw is a demonstration only, but works may be included in the exhibition and sale taking place at CTDVC July 13th - 15th.

All "Plein Air for the Park" events and demonstrations are free and open to the public. 

The RMPAP exhibition will be displayed in the CTDVC's extensive gallery space, home to the Park’s permanent art collection. On Friday, July 13th, a Gala Opening Reception and Sale takes place at CTDVC,  7:00 - 9:00 pm, with presentations of artist awards at 7:45 pm. New works created over the event's two weeks will be displayed; award-winning paintings will become part of GTNP's permanent collection. 40% of the proceeds from the sale of works at the show will benefit Grand Teton National park through GTA, the Park's supporter and provider of Park-related educational, interpretive and scientific materials and programs. Stephanie Brennan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees & Officers at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, is this year's judge. Participating Jackson artists include Jennifer Hoffman, Gregory I. McHuron, Erin O'Connor, Kathryn Mapes Turner and Lee Riddell. RMPAP's exhibition concludes Sunday, July 15th, at 4:00 pm.

“It is an enormous pleasure to be working with Grand Teton Association and Grand Teton National Park this year,” says RMPAP President Stephen C. Datz. “Grand Teton is a singularly beautiful park with a rich artistic history. The opportunity to continue that tradition, expand publice awareness and appreciation of plein-air painting, and in doing so benefit the exceptional efforts of the GTA on behalf of the Park is a genuine privilege."

GTNP Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott adds, "Grand Teton National Park has served as inspiration for artists throughout the ages, and we're thrilled to bring the RMPAP to the Park for this special event. Grand Teton Association began collecting works of art on behalf of the Park over 50 years ago and this collection has become a valuable part of Grand Teton's legacy. We truly appreciate the Association's efforts in bringing landscape and wildlife painters to Grand Teton in 2012 to carry on the tradition."