The Floyd Plein Air Festival 2017 is a new and exciting event that grew from the success of 2016’s Floyd Plein Air Crush weekend.

As it expands to a week-long event, the festival brings national and regional artists to paint the splendor of the county’s open spaces and favorite places.

Partnering with the Floyd Center for the Arts in this endeavor are Plein Air Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chateau Morissette Winery, Riverstone Organic Farm, Apple Ridge Farm, and the Town of Floyd, as well as several host families, businesses and farms in and around the county.

Joli Ayn Wood, one of the event leaders, said, “Our mission for the festival is to bring visibility and opportunity to the artists, participating venues, and partners, while providing an inspirational, educational, and memorable experience for the patrons attending. It is our hope that the festival will not only be an annual fundraising opportunity for the Floyd Center for the Arts, but also an activity to boost the sustainability of its partner venues and hosts.”

Others will have an opportunity to be a part of the event and meet the artists.  Wood said, “You will even have a chance to purchase a work of art that features Floyd’s landscapes.  Plus, we are planning a dinner with the artists and a number of receptions featuring the artist’s work.  If you’d like to be included in these events we’ll be selling tickets at the Center and from the Center’s website.”

More than $3,500 in prizes will be given away to participating artists.

For more information, call the center at (540) 745-2784, email info@floydartcenter.org or visit www.floydartcenter.org.