Carol Dixon’s Plein Air Paintings on Display at Mountain Empire Community College
BIG STONE GAP, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce an exhibition of plein air paintings by regional artist Carol Dixon. The collection is currently on display at the Slemp Gallery in the Wampler Library through November 4.
A reception celebrating Dixon’s work will be held on Thursday, October 23, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Wampler Library, located in Robb Hall on MECC’s campus. During the event, Dixon will introduce the art of plein air painting and create a new piece on site. If weather permits, the demonstration will be held outdoors near the library. Light refreshments will be served.
The French term plein air means “out of doors” and refers to the practice of completing finished paintings entirely outside. Dixon’s work embraces this tradition, capturing the beauty and atmosphere of the natural world in real time.
About the Artist
Carol Dixon began her art journey in the Midwest and later studied at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia. Her series have included Eastern Shore beaches and Hawaiian landscapes, but today Dixon is most inspired by the mountains, lakes, and forests of Southwest Virginia. She is a dedicated plein air painter, traveling across the region to capture its ever-changing light and scenery.
Her work has received recognition in regional competitions, including the “Best Water Scene” award at the Blowing Rock Plein Air Competition in 2021 and honors at the Paint Kingsport 2022 Quick Draw Competition.
Artist’s Statement
“As I paint, I am both lost in the moment and ‘found’ in the sense that I am uncovering some of the mysteries of translating color, shapes, and textures. What I paint is not only what I see, but also how I feel. Painting en plein air can be a wild sensory experience—whether it’s the sound of horses, the buzz of bees, or the shifting light. Each moment demands a quick response on the canvas.”
This exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
