Artists capturing the look of Parrish 'en plein air'

Eileen Laske works on a painting at Brown's Grove and Produce Stand. Provided photos by Norma Kennedy.

PARRISH -- Local artists have taken paint brush in hand and set about capturing images of Parrish on canvas "en plein air," French for in the open air.

Members of the Parrish Arts Council know that the Parrish of 2014 will change, just as did the Parrish of 1890 and the Parrish of 1940.

The en plein air days are one way of capturing  time in a bottle for posterity. Thus far, they have painted Fort Hamer Park and  Brown's Grove and Produce Stand.

The next Parrish en plein air is set for  Music & Art by the Train between 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Nov. 8.

For more information, contact Jerri Phillips at  www.parrishartscouncil.org or on Facebook at parrishartscouncil.

Music and Art by the Train will be held at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish.

 It will be the Council's first arts festival, and feature the museum running its regular train schedule. Bands scheduled to play include Kim Betts & Gamble Creek Band, Buffalo Creek Middle School Jazz Band, Chasing Blue from Boston, Mass., Berklee College of Music.

"It's a biggie," said Arts Council President Norma Kennedy of the festival. The council is working to make Parrish a tourist destination with its Fort Hamer rowing facility, farm history, and railroad museum.

One of Jerri Phillip's paintings of the Manatee River at Fort Hamer will be auctioned at the fest.

To round out the day, barbecue, hot dogs, drinks, snacks and beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Jerri Phillips paints a tractor at Brown's Grove and Produce Stand. 

Artis Wick sets up her easel at Fort Hamer Park.

Joe Kanoza works on a river scene.

Jerri Phillips' painting of Fort Hamer Park will be auctioned at Music and Art by the Train.