Campus Connection

UWL students participate in Between the Bluffs Plein Air Festival 

Painting can be a daunting endeavor, even for those with natural talent. Seizing the opportunity at a local festival, UWL painting students embraced the challenge of plein air painting, pushing their creative boundaries with the immersive technique. 

“The 11th annual Between the Bluffs Plein Air Festival was an overwhelmingly positive experience for UWL painting students,” says Jennifer Williams, a professor in UWL's Department of Art. “I've never had this many students participate, and this is the first year that the newly formed non-profit Coulee Region Alliance for the Visual Arts (CRAVA) provided student-specific awards.” 

After completing a three-week unit focused on plein air painting, seven UWL students participated in the festival. Derived from the French phrase for "open air," plein air painting involves creating artwork outdoors, allowing artists to capture their surroundings in real time. 

"This method of painting allows for full immersion in the landscape, engaging all the senses as the painting evolves,” Williams explains. “Doing this work out in public also invites new conversations about the work that might not take place in a studio or gallery setting. Passersby who are curious enough to ask a painter about their work might spark some meaningful dialogue about nature and the creative process."

For student participants like Kierra Krause, the festival offered an inspiring experience. 

"The Between the Bluffs event was a new experience for me, since I've never participated in a painting festival before," Krause says.  

As a newcomer to plein air painting, Krause appreciated the opportunity to observe a diverse range of styles and techniques.  

"It was amazing to see how many talented artists there were," Krause shares. "I loved looking around at other artists' paintings. It was astonishing how much variety there was of creative expression in each artist." 

During the festival, Krause participated in the "Quick Paint" competition, held at the International Friendship Gardens. This segment of the festival pushed artists to complete their paintings within a strict two-hour window, an exercise that tested both speed and creativity.  

"Since I'm rather new to plein air painting, the three-week unit was extremely beneficial because I got a lot more practice," Krause says. "I experimented with the palette knife, using it to layer paint while it was still wet, which was helpful given the limited time."

Krause's efforts were recognized with the "Student Award of Excellence," the top honor for student participants. 

"When I first received the award, I was surprised," Krause says. "It felt very rewarding to be congratulated on my work in that way. I felt very honored." 

For the UWL students, the Between the Bluffs Plein Air Festival was more than a competition — it was a chance to explore a new technique, connect with other artists and grow confidence in their abilities. 

Reflecting on the festival, Krause shared her biggest takeaway: the importance of embracing her own artistic style.  

"It’s so easy to wish that your paintings looked like other people’s," Krause admits. "But going to an event like that really reminded me that there are so many unique artists out there. It’s amazing when you can embrace your own style."