The scene of the art

Paintings of the Back Bay are for sale at the Muth Interpretive Center.On a picturesque day, dozens of art collectors browsed through scenic paintings of the Back Bay.

If they moved to their right or left, they could see the same scenes in real life.

This exhibition and art sale, which continues through today, is at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in the midst of the Upper Newport Bay. The vantage is a selling point for the presenting artists who are sharing their take on the natural preserve.

The third annual event, called “Paint the Back Bay,” is hosted by the Southern California Plein-Air Painters Assn., a group that aligns itself with organizations and centers that support art and the environment.

“En plein air” is French for “painting in the open.” This group of more than 250 Southern Californians travel to a different location each week and paint together.

“We always come back here,” said Margaret Jamison, the group’s founder and chairman of the event. “It’s such a challenging area because there is so much sky and open space. To capture the spirit of the bay is a challenge.”

For two weeks, local artists have painted various scenes from the Back Bay. Sixty artists were chosen to present at the exhibition, including Jamison.

She said all of the works sell for less than $1,000. The nonprofit Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends will receive 30% of the art sale proceeds. The group dedicates its efforts to educating the public about ways to preserve and restore the Back Bay.

Beginning Saturday morning, each presenting artist began to add his or her touch to a 4-by-6-foot group painting of the Back Bay. The artists were scheduled to complete the painting this afternoon. Jamison said her group didn’t know what they were going to do with the finished piece.

Artist Linda McCracken said she has enjoyed spending time in Newport Beach.

“I love the Back Bay,” McCracken said. “It’s a wonderful place to watch birds and paint birds.”

Jamison said her favorite time to paint at the Back Bay is during the late afternoon. She comes three or four times a year to paint with watercolors, pastels or oils.

Joy St. Dennis and her mother, Karin, came to the event for the first time Saturday and purchased three paintings. They live near the Back Bay and were interested in taking home pieces of art that depicted their neighborhood.

“You can look at the bay yourself and enjoy it, but it’s great to see another perspective,” Karin St. Dennis said. “It’s neat to see it through the eyes of an artist.”

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Paint the Back Bay art sale and exhibition

* WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today

* WHERE: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach

* COST: Free