CAMAS - Thirty-three artists signed up to compete in the Camas Plein Air event and tribute to Marquita Call on Oct. 5. Portland artist Ken Klos' painting was selected as first place and earned him a $1,000 cash prize. Second place, with $500 cash, was awarded to Ray Baxter from Ridgefield. Wayne Chin claimed third place and received a $200 cash prize.

A people's choice award with $50 was presented to Chris Rectenwald. Five artists each received an honorable mention and $50. Those artists were Kathleen Fajardo, Jennifer Mark, Susan Charnquist, Anna Norris and Bill Martini. Susan Elwart Hall judged the event. She is a Camas resident with a long and successful career in the arts and is an award-winning plein air artist.

In total, $2,000 in cash prizes were awarded. The event took place on a beautiful autumn day on the tree-lined streets of Camas. Noted for its hometown ambience and beautiful boutique storefronts, downtown Camas is a popular with plein air artists.

Plein air is a French expression meaning "in the open air" and refers to the act of painting an entire finished painting outdoors with the artist's subject in full view. Painting en plein air allows artists to capture the emotional and sensory dimensions of a particular landscape at a moment in time.