Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Gould Coviello.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Cape Ann has long been a destination for painters and other artists. The organizers of Cape Ann Plein Air view this as an opportunity for all of Cape Ann-not only our artists, but our businesses and community leaders as well-to come together to raise awareness of our storied and still vibrant arts presence.
Cape Ann Plein Air was established in 2016. It is a week-long outdoor painting event at which 40 juried plein-air (outdoors) artists paint in locations all over Cape Ann: Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport, MA, competing for awards and selling their art. 2016 was an instant success, and so we embarked on year 2. 2017 saw huge growth in revenue over 2016. And so a true Cape Ann tradition was born. We are busy planning for CAPA2018, being held from October 7-15th.
Has it been a smooth road?
We are so fortunate to have had a strong steering committee, members of which are plein air painters who compete all over the country. Their input was crucial in the first year. Hosting an event that spans four communities proved to be a bit if a logistical struggle. However, we have had very strong collaboration between the communities; museums and arts organizations in the four locations were represented on the steering committee.
Now in our third year, and well on our way to becoming a non-profit with our own 501c3, we have built a strong foundation with a Board of Directors representing the four communities of Cape Ann, the local arts organizations and museums, and dedicated residents who love this endeavor and want it to remain one of the top plein air events in the country.
Funding is always an issue, and we depend on fostering strong business relationships in order to receive sponsorships, gifts and other financial support from our community, for which we are extremely grateful.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cape Ann Plein Air story. Tell us more about the business.
Cape Ann Plein Air is one of many plein air festivals and competitions around the country. The birthplace of plein air (the art of creating paintings in the outdoors) in the United States is right here on Cape Ann. Artists like Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Fitz Henry Lane and others all made Cape Ann their subject for numerous paintings. The natural beauty that is Cape Ann has inspired artists for nearly two centuries.
By focusing on plein air painting, we bring world-renowned artists to Cape Ann, already home to many well-known artists, we hope to continue the rich tradition of painting out-of-doors. In our short two years we have become one of the top plein air events in the country, awarding more than $20,000 in cash prizes yearly and selling over $140,000 in paintings in 2017.
Our artists are juried through an anonymous process and are then invited to participate. We match our out-of-town artists with residents who graciously open up their homes to them to live for the duration of the event. The artists are invited to participate in demos, gallery receptions, dinners, and more. The week culminates in a Gala, where patrons of the arts come to see the amazing work that was created during the week and have the opportunity to buy locally created art. The last day features a “Quick Draw”, a two-hour painting session followed by a sale of the “wet paintings”. Many of our events are free and open to the public, creating a real festival feel all over the area for eight days.
It is important to note that all four Cape Ann communities have embraced this festival; from local government to our shared Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, we have proven to everyone that this is a unique and very important event.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Plein air painting is a unique and historically important art form, and with this prestigious yearly event, we are poised to see it continue into the future. In 2018 our event will incorporate students from our local school districts, enticing them to learn about plein air painting and the important part it’s played in the rich history of Cape Ann. By educating the general public about the importance of public art, we know that our communities will continue to support this tradition. We have built important partnerships with businesses who sponsor us every year, from large corporate sponsorships to businesses sponsoring artist awards, offering refreshments for various events and more. Obviously, carrying forward the event depends on these critical financial sponsorships. We are grateful to everyone who continues to share our vision.
Pricing:
- Gala ticket prices: $150PP (Premiere Party) Saturday, October 13th, 2018
- Gala ticket prices: $75PP Gala Show And Awards Ceremony and Sale, October 13th, 2018
- Quickdraw Competition Painting Sale: free and open to the public, Sunday, October 14th, 2018.
- General Sale of Plein Air Art, free and open to the public, Sunday, and Monday, October 14th and 15th, 2018
Contact Info:
- Website: www.capeannpleinair.com
- Phone: 978-837-8273
- Email: capeannpleinair2018@gmail.com
- Instagram: capeannpleinair
- Facebook: @capeannpleinair
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
