Recently a 'cultural landing' touched down at the Alexandrovskaya Sloboda museum-reserve — fifty members of the Moscow Union of Artists (MSKh) led by Honored Artist of Russia and honorary academician of the Russian Academy of Arts P.I. Groshev. Despite the overcast and rainy weather, the half-century of brushmasters worked outdoors throughout the day, capturing landscapes of the Alexandrov Kremlin, and in the evening the museum staff were treated to an impromptu vernissage. Moreover, the painters themselves are very interesting people — academicians, professors, teachers from art schools and universities, instructors from Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Moscow Architectural Institute, civil aviation specialists and representatives of many other unexpected professions!
Near the end of the workday it was possible to talk with the 'leader' himself — Petr Ivanovich, by the way a hereditary artist in the fourth generation, whose son also took part in this plein air. At one time Petr Ivanovich became one of the ideological inspirers and the long-standing leader of the 'Russian Province' project. Its essence can perhaps be put this way — outside the MKAD it is no less interesting and beautiful! And people who perceive the world in a special way help local residents and Muscovites to see that. The innovative idea of the MSKh Painters' Fellowship materialized in mid-season Friday collective plein airs of the creative brotherhood. Importantly, these are always one-day trips — at a relatively short distance from Moscow. Thanks to this unusual format, over 16 years picturesque chronicles of dozens of historic towns have been created, exhibitions organized and thematic catalogues published. By the way, one of the fixed traditions on every trip long ago became an open-air vernissage, when after the creative Friday all the artists gather together at the working location and present their canvases to the judgment of passing viewers.
One of those journeys was a visit to the Museum of Ivan the Terrible. 'In the Moscow region we have already toured more than forty places — at distances from 100 to 260 km from the capital. We were in Alexandrov a long time ago — about twelve years ago. We were left with a good impression, and today it was confirmed again. The artists produced wonderful works and we definitely plan to visit Alexandrovskaya Sloboda again — there is much to paint, there is authentic medieval atmosphere — the one in which Ivan the Terrible lived and ruled, there are remarkable corners of nature… Today was pure positivity and a strong desire to return many times,' shared P.I. Groshev, head of the 'Russian Province' project.
