Marietta has a history of art, having once been the home to the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. Members of Marietta Art Alive! are working to keep art thriving in the town. The group will host River Towns Plein Air with a series of activities throughout the town.

Fifty artists representing seven states were selected to participate in the event, said Marita Hines, co-founder of Marietta Art Alive! Artists will kick off the festivities by painting "en plein air," or outdoors, at various locations on both sides of the Susquehanna River over an eight-day period beginning on Wednesday, April 10. More than $5,000 in awards will be presented to artists selected by juror Allan Thompson, and the event will end with a four-day exhibit where all of the art will be for sale.

On Saturday, April 13, the public is invited to participate in a Quick Draw event. "Any artist can register up until the morning of the event," Hines notes. "The Quick Draw is a two-hour challenge in Marietta starting at 10 a.m., and cash prizes will be awarded by the juror, Scott Cantrell of Lancaster." Children are invited to paint alongside adults, and free art supplies and T-shirts will be available to young artists while supplies last. Hines said that during the Quick Draw event on April 13, the Marietta Cherry Blossom Festival will begin at 1 p.m. along Front Street and will feature vendors, food and live music.

Art created in the plein air portion will be displayed and for sale in the studio space in the rear of the Marietta Community House, 264 W. Market St., from Thursday, April 18, through Sunday, April 21. Hours are 7 to 9 p.m. on April 18; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 21. "The exhibit is free to attend, and attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite painting," Hines commented.

It takes a group of volunteers to organize an event like River Towns Plein Air, Hines said. Joining her in the effort are Marianne Calenda, Melissa Carroll, Linda Mylin Ross, Susan Davitti Darling and Joanne McIlvaine. "They joined forces with the nonprofit Rivertownes PA USA, who had a similar interest in bringing art to the river towns," she explained. "Some of us in the group met while painting outdoors."

Proceeds from the event will support future plein air activities and will benefit other artist activities in the river towns as well. For more information on River Towns Plein Air, visit http://www.mariettaartalive.com.