In 2002, four artist friends in Lansing, Michigan began talking about the idea of an organization that would promote the beauty and diversity of the Great Lakes region of the country and help educate the public on the critical need for the fine arts in children's daily lives.  The friends, plein air painting partners, decided the best way to accomplish both objectives was to form an organization of plein air painters, who through their activity, could introduce the public to working artists.  Thus, in February 2004, the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association (GLPAPA) was founded.

The four initiating friends of the organization from
left to right: Virginia "Ginny" Artis, Diane Harte,
Carol Repp, and Sharon Griffes Tarr.

From the beginning, GLPAPA was interested in documenting the diverse eco-systems of the Great Lakes region.  The Lakes and their watershed cover a vast region of the United States and are unique in many respects.  Natural environments include rivers, lakes, and ponds, as well as forests, marshes, uplands, plains, hills, mountains, unique rock formations, and enormous sand dunes.  Human kind has also left its imprint on this region from small family farms to major cities with their commerce, industry and parks.  The Lakes and their watershed are utilized in one way or another by all who live or visit.

The Great Lakes touch the shores of eight states, roughly one-fifth of the United States.  They are: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  The region is a vast cornucopia of subject matter for plein air artists interested in expressing and recording its diversity.

Jean Anton painting at Little Sable Lighthouse

GLPAPA provides a minimum of six monthly plein air painting meets each year in its headquarters state of Michigan or nearby locales.  In addition, the organization offers painting workshops, and conducts plein air competitions with possible site selections anywhere within the Great Lakes region. 

With such a vast region, it is not possible at this time for the organization to coordinate numerous painting meets far from its home base.  However, GLPAPA encourages local groups throughout the region to provide opportunities for artists to paint together on a regular basis.  GLPAPA will gladly network and offer what advice and help it can to assist local groups in initiating and planning their events.   GLPAPA  provides regional and national opportunities for artists to compete, exhibit, and sell their plein air works of art created at GLPAPA sponsored events.

Artists interested in participating in the planning of GLPAPA events, committee work and/or involving themselves in Board work should feel free to contact the President and make their wishes known.  Much of the association's work is done via e-mail due to the distance factor.  Geography is not a deterrent to involvement.  Generally, the Board meets formally only once or twice a year.  All other coordinating activity is done via e-mail or by telephone without formal meetings.

A major goal of GLPAPA includes educational opportunities for Artist Members through critique sessions, demonstrations and workshops provided by the organization's Master Members.  Critiques are an important part of each painting meet.  During the winter months, at least one educational event is offered annually for members.

The public education program is to gain more support for the graphic fine arts in our school systems through K-12 teacher, parent and administration coordination.


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