Artists 'Canvas' Suwanee

There were some first-timers, and some veterans. But the vibrant arts community came out again in Suwanee over the weekend, as the Plein Air event made its spring appearance.

Joan Terrell of Hoschton checked in to the temporary headquarters of the North Gwinnett Art Association (NGAA) near City Hall to have her canvas stamped for the event.

And Anita Stewart, who runs her own art school in Buford, set up on the lawn behind City Hall in the morning. She would do a watercolor-acrylic combo portrait of Sunset, one of the SculpTour pieces.

Other artist located all over town, some at Sims Lake Park, some at George Pierce Park, and some talked of heading to Old Town.

For Stewart, art is nothing new. She's a board member of the NGAA and has been involved in art in the Atlanta area for 30 years.

"I love to travel and paint," she said Saturday. Countries she has done her thing in are Italy, Peru, Ecuador and South Africa.

"Foreign countries view art like we view history," she said. "They have more of a respect for it."

Stewart used watercolor and acrylic for her painting of Sunset, and was done in a couple of hours.

Berkeley Lake resident Ann Tiberghien has done paintings for sale for 10 years, but this was her first Plein Air event. She took aim at a lamppost on the sidewalk at Town Center.

"I'm scared to death," she said.

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At a reception Sunday, the following were named winners of the event: first place, $200,  Vickie Johnson, Sims Lake Condo; second place, $150; Richard Gayle, George Pierce Swamp; third place, $100, David Phillips, Spring Tree Fest. Also, artists' choice winner, Jill Schultz, McGannon, Porch & Steeple; peoples' choice, Nancy Nowak, Harvest Farm.