Gallery: Ready, Set, Paint!

Keep an eye out around Sonoma's most breathtaking vistas this week, there just might be a painter lurking nearby.

For Sonoma Plein Air, a weeklong festival, dozens of artists from across the nation have flocked to Sonoma for homestays and several days of intensive art-making (read more about the artists here.)

Plein-air, a term largely removed from modern vernacular, means "open air" in French. The phrase was widely used during the impressionistic period, to describe a style of painting outdoors, in order to capture fluid light-play. (Few would disagree: there's no better place to capture the beauty of nature than the Sonoma Valley.)

All artwork made during the week will be donated to support childhood art education programs in the Sonoma Valley. Through the years the foundation has raised over $450,000.

Event information is available on the Sonoma Plein Air website. A benefit dinner in honor of the artists will be held Friday, May 27. To attend, reserve via. mail  or through email.

The week cummulates with an art exhibition and sale on Saturday, May 38 in the Plaza from 10 a.m.- 5p.m. Admission is free.