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Spring Plein Air Workshop

Saturday, April 25 at 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Overview

Designed for adults

Join artist Alisa Beck for a relaxed and inspiring plein air painting experience on the beautiful grounds of the MMFA. We’ll gather near the front of the museum overlooking the pond and explore simple, time-tested techniques used by plein air painters to capture light, color, and atmosphere.

To make this experience both approachable and memorable, each participant will paint using a cigar box pochade setup—a lightweight, portable way to paint outdoors that you can easily recreate on your own.

We’ll work with a limited palette of water-soluble oils, allowing you to focus on what matters most—mixing color, observing light, and capturing the essence of the landscape without feeling overwhelmed.

All materials are provided by the museum, so there is no need to prepare or bring supplies. Just arrive ready to enjoy the outdoors and create.

No experience necessary.
This workshop is open to all levels and is perfect for anyone curious about painting, looking to loosen up their approach, or wanting to try something new in a supportive, artist-led setting.

Weather permitting, this workshop will be outside so participants should wear sun protection and comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, bring their water bottle, snacks, and lunch. 

This program is free to all and advance registration is required. For more information, please email Tiiwon Siaway at tsiaway@mmfa.org.

Registration

Register Here

About Alisa Beck

I’m a native of Alabama and a dedicated studio artist and adult art teacher based in Montgomery. In my work, I transform oil paints using an innovative toolkit—brayers, palette knives, and squeegees—to create large, gestural compositions full of bold strokes and vibrant color. Influenced by the expressive power of Turner and the abstract language of Rothko, I blend abstraction with imagined realism and subtle romantic undertones, capturing the dynamic interplay of color, texture, movement, and light. 
 
I earned my BFA from Huntingdon College in 1994, and my artistic journey has taken me through a wide range of media—from sculpture and architectural drafting to digital embroidery and jewelry making. Each of these experiences has enriched my painting practice and shaped my creative voice. 
 
As a passionate educator and mentor, I’ve taught workshops and classes across the Southeast, sharing my love for art and encouraging others to explore their creativity. Over the years, I’ve exhibited my work in solo and group shows, collaborated with fellow artists, and contributed to community art initiatives that have helped me grow roots in the local art scene. 
 
Today, my studio is both a classroom and a space for creative exploration—a place where I continue to push the boundaries of my craft and find inspiration in the beauty, history, and emotional richness of the southern landscape I call home.
 
Website: Alisa Beck Art 

Studio Instructor: Alisa Beck

“I aim to evoke an emotional resonance with Southern experiences, drawing viewers into a landscape both familiar and elusive. Through layered textures, soft hues, and a sense of movement, I explore the subtle beauty and depth of the South with its quiet landscapes, rich light, and the interplay of history and memory. My hope is to create a space where viewers feel connected to these scenes, as if recalling moments of their own, blending nostalgia with a sense of timeless presence.” 

Examples of Gelli Prints

Related Sculptures