After 20 years of showing on Catalina Island and in Lake Tahoe, the Plein-Air Painters of America will hold their 2007 Exhibition & Sale at The Haggin Museum in Stockton, Calif., once again offering collectors the finest paintings by America’s most respected artists.

But the change in location isn't the only difference for the group's annual event. "Rather than displaying 'wet' paintings made the week prior, our members have selected their best plein-air paintings over the year," PAPA President John Budicin said. "In several instances this includes the artist's on-location study and a studio painting interpreting the field study."

This year's theme, From the Heart, inspired the participants to communicate cherished moments through paint on canvas and paper. "The theme will generate paintings that are meaningful statements, as well as beautiful artworks," Budicin said, adding that there will be more than 140 artworks on display, roughly a quarter of which are studio paintings.

Exhibiting with the 31 active Signature Members in this exploration of the soul are honorary member John Stobart, emeritus member Peter Adams and founding emeritus member Denise Burns. Also included are six outstanding guest artists who reside from Maine to California. "We are extremely proud to include Clyde Aspevig, Len Chmiel, Gil Dellinger, Tim Lawson, Jim Morgan and Peggy Root in this event,” Budicin enthused. “Collectors and art lovers will see the crème de la crème of contemporary plein-air painting."

"We are delighted to be working with The Haggin Museum, which has organized a number of impressive exhibitions, including From Sea to Shining Sea: Reflections of America, which is currently touring the United States," Budicin said. "In the PAPA exhibition and sale, collectors will learn a great deal about why artists choose to paint on-location and how they create their best works. Moreover, artistic inspiration and motivation will also be apparent in artworks that touch the eye, mind and heart."

To celebrate the exhibition & sale, there will be a number of opening weekend events, including an elegant garden party, a painting demonstration at a local vineyard, an opening reception featuring the area's best restaurants and wineries, and a champagne brunch. The opening weekend's events will provide guests with the opportunity to meet the plein-air artists, watch them at work and purchase their paintings from the exhibition and those created during that weekend.

Click Here to see more of the paintings in the exhibition...