SAG 2026-27 Fine Art Wall Calendar

This 18-month fine art calendar features a small sample of paintings created during the 16th Alla Prima Westcliffe plein air event, held in September 2025. ‘Alla Prima’ refers to painting directly from life and on location, capturing a moment as it unfolds. ‘Plein Air’ is French for “in the open air” to capture natural light, atmosphere and the immediacy of the moment.  

We extend our congratulations to all award recipients contained within this calendar along with our sincere thanks to the many artists whose talent and dedication made this event so special. We were delighted to have artists from 13 states join us this year with 47 artists registering. Lorie Merfeld-Batson was our workshop instructor and our 2025 juror was Marty Brens.

We look ahead with excitement to our 17th Alla Prima Westcliffe Plein Air Paint Out, taking place September 13–18, 2026, featuring over $5,000 in awards and prizes and more great art! For inquiries: apw@sangresartguild.org or sangresartguild.org/alla-prima-westcliffe

Molly Roberts of Westcliffe is a unique painter using fiber and thread as her medium. Each one of her pieces takes hours and hours of work. When you stand back, they look as if they have been painted with effortless brushstrokes.

Linda Lorraine, Barb Saint-Amour, and Kathy Taylor came together as a trio in 2025 to play an uplifting mix of 60’s and 70’s tunes, with the famous Kathy Taylor on bass, Barb on guitar, keyboard and fiddle, and Linda on autoharp. They debuted at the 3rd Street Art Gallery last summer to enthusiastic acclaim, and they are eager to open the first Gallery reception of 2026 on May 2nd! 

Linda Lorraine and Barb Saint-Amour met in the summer of 2000,  hiring on as camp cook and wrangler/trail guide, respectively. But then Linda went on her first pack trip, and from then on, she was hooked, working as both a guide and a chef, adding her culinary delights to many a Bear Basin camp high in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Soon Barb and Linda were delighting clients singing songs around the campfire accompanied by Barb on the mandolin. (Guitars don’t pack well on horses.) Enjoy them with bass player Kathy Taylor, and sing along with their mix of 60’s and 70’s tunes. They are three old friends who ain’t done yet, offering their Simple Gifts of upbeat music and fun.