Capturing History in Light: Plein Air at the Josiah Dennis Manse

Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Participants should plan to arrive at 9:30 am to set-up.

Participants will enjoy painting on the grounds of the beautiful Josiah Dennis Manse Museum and West Schoolhouse with instructor Susan Overstreet. The workshop begins with a discussion of the unique aspects of plein air painting, followed by Susan’s demonstration focused on selecting a composition, blocking in color, determining the light source, and maintaining consistent shadows.

Artists will then begin their first painting before the lunch break. During lunch, the group will discuss progress and observations. In the afternoon, participants will create a second quick start, then choose one of the two paintings to bring to a more finished state.

Participants should plan to arrive at 9:30 a.m. to set up their materials, with the workshop beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. On-site parking and restrooms are available at the Manse. Please bring a packed lunch.

The Josiah Dennis Manse Museum, built around 1736 for Rev. Josiah Dennis—the minister for whom the town was later named—is a well-preserved colonial saltbox that offers a glimpse into 18th-century life on Cape Cod. On the same grounds stands the West Schoolhouse, the town’s last surviving one-room school from the original district system. Rebuilt around 1810 and later moved to the Manse property for preservation, it now serves as a charming reminder of early American education.

Materials:

• A plein air or portable easel

• Paints: warm and cool versions of each primary color — ultramarine blue, cerulean or manganese blue, cadmium yellow medium, lemon yellow, permanent rose (or alizarin crimson), and cadmium red medium or scarlet

• Gamsol for thinning paint and cleaning brushes

• Palette knives in various sizes and shapes, both rounded and pointed

• Palette paper or a palette, and paper towels

• Brushes: while palette knives should be used as much as possible, a few smaller bristle brushes (round, filbert, flat, or bright) may be used for detail

• Canvas: three panels sized 8x10 to 16x20 are recommended, as sunlight can pass through stretched canvas. Centurion linen is an affordable option, though any brand is acceptable. Participants are encouraged to bring multiple prepared canvases to allow for new starts. A medium-toned ground is suggested, with a neutral brownish-pink being a reliable choice, though ground color is a matter of personal preference.

Susan Overstreet’s creative process of weaving vibrant colors with a technique of palette knife and brushwork captures a visual tapestry between abstract imagery and representation. Overstreet’s bold expressive style is driven by unique natural elements found on Cape Cod that offer an evolving kaleidoscope of color. She paints en plein air and in the studio, inspired by both landscape and the human figure. 

Susan completed studio work at George Washington University, and continued studying fine arts at the Corcoran School of Art and the Art League School of Alexandria. Her work was accepted in many juried competitions in Virginia and now on Cape Cod. Susan has taught at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, Milford Arts Council, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod (where she served as artist in residence and learning coordinator), the Creative Arts Center of Chatham, and the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. She has led sketching tours to Scotland and France. She is represented by Tracy Lindholm Nee, 780 Main Street in Dennis, MA.  SusanOverstreet.com

This event is offered in conjunction with

Old Yarmouth: Life During the American Revolution

April 9 - July 19, 2026

Cancellation policy: CCMoA must be notified 1 week prior for refund.