The Art of Seeing – Making a Painting Work
Ned Mueller gave a lecture under this title during the 2016 event, discussing how a painter builds a picture that holds together.
Paint the Peninsula
Movie and Lecture at PAFAC
During event week, the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center hosted lectures and film screenings alongside the plein air competition. Master painters talked through technique and process, and the programs were open to the public.
Talks and screenings
The lecture and movie programs were part of the wider Paint the Peninsula week, which also included workshops, painting days, and an awards ceremony and reception.
Paint the Peninsula brings together artists and art lovers for a week of creative exploration on the Olympic Peninsula. The lecture and film programs offered during the event provide a deeper understanding of the plein air painting process. Master painters share their techniques, discussing how they capture the shifting light and color of the natural landscape. These sessions are open to the public, inviting everyone to learn directly from experienced artists. The talks complement the outdoor painting competition by offering insight into the thoughtful decisions behind each brushstroke, enriching the overall experience for participants and audiences alike.
The lecture series has featured accomplished artists who demonstrate how observation translates into compelling works of art. These presentations often focus on the fundamentals of painting outdoors, including composition, color mixing, and working with the changing conditions of natural light. Attendees gain practical knowledge that they can apply to their own creative practice. The talks are held at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, a welcoming space that supports the region's vibrant arts community. These educational offerings reflect the event's commitment to fostering artistic growth and appreciation for the plein air tradition.
Film screenings during Paint the Peninsula week offer a different window into the world of art and creativity. Documentaries and short films explore the lives of artists, the history of painting movements, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest landscape. These screenings provide an engaging way for attendees to immerse themselves in visual storytelling between painting sessions. The movie program is designed to inspire both participating artists and the general public, creating a well-rounded cultural experience. Like all event programming, the films are chosen to complement the spirit of creativity and community that defines the competition.
The educational components of Paint the Peninsula reflect a dedication to enriching the local arts scene in Port Angeles. By offering lectures, films, and demonstrations alongside the competition, the event creates multiple entry points for engagement with fine art. Visitors can watch artists at work outdoors, then attend a talk that deepens their understanding of what they have witnessed. This layered approach helps demystify the creative process and makes art more accessible to everyone. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center continues to serve as a vital hub for these programs, strengthening the cultural fabric of the community year after year.
Movie screenings
Film screenings were held at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center during event week, paired with the lecture program.
Open to the public
The lectures and screenings were open to the public, not limited to competing artists.
For the full run of competition days, gallery hours, and the awards ceremony, see the 2018 Schedule of Events.
At the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center
Paint the Peninsula is a plein air painting competition held in Port Angeles, Washington, described as the Gateway to the Olympic National Park. The event benefits the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Programs such as the lectures and movie screenings took place at the center, which also served as the gathering point for the competition week.
- 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362
- Phone: 360-457-3532
- Email: pafac@paintthepeninsula.org
More from the event week
Lectures sat alongside hands-on instruction and the competition itself. Past workshops included oil painting and watercolor sessions, among them Eric Jacobsen’s “Painting Northwest Color & Light” in 2018 and a plein air workshop led by Christine Debrosky in 2016.