March marks the beginning of the city's first annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF). With over 36,000 cherry trees gracing Vancouver parks, boulevards and private gardens, this new cultural initiative engages visual artists in the creative process of painting in the open air. Historically in Japan, the sakura tree inspired new music, poetry, and new art. Festival programming such as Plein-Air Blossom Painting allows this to happen today by inspiring local artists to be a part of the bloom and participate in painting outdoors under a beautiful canopy of cherry blossoms.

The festival is discovering the city is bursting with creative energy and talent and invites artists to follow the peak bloom at some of Vancouver's best displays of cherry trees, from Burrard Street Station, Queen Elizabeth Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden and Stanley Park. Artists of all ages and levels of experience will be guided by The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Map to be published in early March by The Vancouver Sun.

Experienced artists are challenged to capture the exuberance of the blossoming of the cherry tree on their easels while budding artists wanting instruction in Plein-Air Painting can register for three hour Plein-Air Painting classes on Saturdays. Students will receive direction and guidance from professional plein-air masters, such as Francine Noreau who teaches at Monet's Garden in Giverny, France and Alfred Muma is traveling from Powell River to share his expertise in painting on location with the festival.

"Plein-air painting is free-spirited; it's an experience expressing the impression of the moment" (Noreau).

Artists may submit to the "Call for Entries" without a fee from the website in advance or when bringing works for jury on April 8th at a location to be announced. These works of art will be for sale in The Floral Hall at VanDusen Botanical Garden on Easter Weekend: Saturday April 15th from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday April 16th from 10:00am to 5:00pm. They will be in the Vancouver in Bloom exhibition, giving everyone an opportunity to view the many different artistic responses to the incredible phenomenon of the blossoming of our cherry trees.

The festival's community partner, Opus Framing & Art Supplies will present one $100 gift card for the "Best Teacher Plein-Air Work" and two $50 gift cards for the "Best Student Work" based on a Vancouver art lovers vote. Visit the exhibition to cast your vote!

For plein-air painting class registration and call for entries please visit www.vcbf.ca or email the festival at info@vcbf.ca

Special feature by guest contributor Shannon Thompson