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MOUNDSVILLE -- Marshall County Schools students participated in the annual Ohio Valley Plein-Air Paint Out in Moundsville on Friday.
Students from middle schools and John Marshall High School painted scenes at and around the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, including the ancient burial mound itself, views from atop the mound, the neighboring former West Virginia Penitentiary, and other historical sites and buildings across the city.
Moundsville Middle School art teacher Tabetha Morgan said the program is made possible in part with the mound museum and West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, which provided a grant so additional paint and supplies could be purchased for the event. The department also provided grant funding to bring in a plein-air artist, Eric Dye, who gave the students tips on their paintings.
Morgan said the students' works will be entered into the plein-air show and contest at Artworks Around Town in Wheeling. The works will be on display and for sale there during October. The works will be moved to the mound museum for the month of November.
"Plein-air painting means we are painting outside. So 80% of the artwork we do is from observation from outside sources instead of from references," she said.
Morgan said it is important for students to try plein-air because it is an American form of artwork. She said the students are also getting to know the local plein-air artists.
"They're learning how to interact with community members," she said.
Moundsville Middle School students Nevaeh Perez, 13, and Stella Parker, 14, both have participated in plein-air painting in the past and enjoyed it.
"It's an experience for us. Some students don't get to come out here and paint," Perez said.
"It's a really good experience because we get to paint with professional artists and they're helping us. And Ms. Morgan helps us, too.
"It's an amazing experience. It can be hard sometimes depending on what you're trying to sketch and paint. It just really depends on how artistic you are and how much work you put into it and effort," Perez said.
Perez said she planned to paint the chief's mound stone at the top of the burial mound. Parker noted she planned to paint the penitentiary and the mound.
"I really like painting in general. ... It's really nice," she said.
Parker said fellow students who are thinking about trying painting should do it.
"Just go for it. ... Even if you aren't good at it, you can practice more and get better," she said.
Perez said if her fellow students try painting they should not give up when it gets a little difficult.
"It can be frustrating at some point when you mix the colors and it doesn't turn out the color you want it to be, but you just have to work with the paints and the things you have around you to try to make it work," Perez said.
"Eventually it will come out as you want it, and if it doesn't then you can always retry. It's easier to retry then to just give up and not try at all."
Dye, a Bethlehem resident, said he has been doing plein-air painting for about 11 years at various scenic locations across the country. He said there is much to love about the art.
"I like dealing with the changing weather, the changing color, changing light and having to make quick decisions," Dye said. "Learning to paint quickly teaches you to develop your art faster."
Dye said he uses his plein-air pastel sketches for development of larger, more detailed paintings he does in his studio.
Dye hopes when people see the students and professional plein-air artists painting it gives them "a sense of value for their community."
He also wants the students to learn to take in and take notice of what's around them while painting.
"We walk by things every day and never take note of them. This is a stop and smell the roses moment," he said.