Take advantage of these art and plein air painting events and opportunities from our 2024 Ultimate Guide to Painting Events and Organizations. Bonus: Includes upcoming event deadlines!
(We want to include your plein air painting events! Don’t see your group listed here? Contact our marketing team to learn how to advertise your events and more with Plein Air Today.)
Alabama
Plein Air Fairhope
Dates: October 28-November 2
Opening Reception: November 1
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: Eastern Shore Art Center
Format: Open
Award Total: $2,000
Contact: Adrienne Clow
Phone: 251.928.2228
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://esartcenter.org
Join the Eastern Shore Art Center for a weeklong community celebration of painting in the great outdoors! From sunrise to sunset, 60 painters will take it to the streets and bayfront pier in picturesque Fairhope, Alabama! Work created during the “paint-out” will be available for purchase in a special Wet Room and on exhibit for two months. Event includes: Exhibit Awards, Workshop, Gallery Talk, and Quick Draw.
Arizona
Bisbee Plein Air Festival and Competition
Dates: October 10-13
Opening Reception: October 12
Entry Deadline: October 11
Sponsoring Organization: Central School Project
Format: Open
Award Total: $800
Contact: Laurie McKenna
Phone: 520.732.0064
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.centralschoolproject.org/plein-air-festival
Artists come each year to paint Old Bisbee’s historic architecture, sprawling staircases, narrow streets, industrial mining remnants, and colorful homes set amidst the scenic Mule Mountains to compete. On Saturday afternoon artists gather for the judging and prizes at Central School Project. The art-loving public is invited, and they purchase the work right off the easels and walls. We hold a jurors’ show and meet-and-greet Friday night and other activities in conjunction with the competition. We guarantee serious painting and fun.
Sedona Plein Air Festival
Dates: October 18-26
Opening Reception: October 25
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: Sedona Arts Center
Format: Invitational, Juried
Award Total: $10,000
Contact: Julie Richard
Phone: 928.282.3809
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.sedonapleinair.com
Sedona Arts Center invites you along to be inspired and experience master artists painting in the Shangri-La of the Southwest! Sedona is a sublime and stunningly beautiful environment steeped in art history. Sedona Arts Center dates back 66 years to the founding of Sedona’s identity as an “art colony.” Our community’s iconic and creative event — Sedona Plein Air Festival — is a weeklong celebration of extraordinary landscapes, world-renowned artists, unique workshops, and wonderful free events.
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Dates: Through January 20, 2025
Sponsoring Organization: Grand Canyon Conservancy
Venue: Kolb Studio at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
Format: Juried
Contact: Kathy Duley
Phone: 480.277.0458
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.grandcanyon.org
Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Celebration of Art is a wonderful tradition at Grand Canyon National Park, providing a vibrant experience for visitors, a venue for artists inspired by the canyon, and a successful fundraiser to benefit an art venue at the South Rim. Since its inception in 2009, Celebration of Art has invited participating artists to paint en plein air for a week at Grand Canyon. The works produced during this time are shown alongside studio-produced pieces at the historic Kolb Studio in an exhibition and sale for four months, both in-person and online.
5th Annual Art in the Pines, Prescott Plein Air Festival
Pre-Exhibit Dates: September 16 – October 8
Festival Dates: October 9-13
Sponsoring Organizations: Yavapai College Prescott Art Gallery and the Highlands Center for Natural History
Website: https://arizonapleinair.com/calendar/art-in-the-pines-2024
California
26th Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational
Dates: October 5-13
Opening Reception: October 12, with Collectors Gala
Sponsoring Organization: Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
Award Total: Over $50,000
Contact: Toni Kellenberg
Phone: 949.291.0882
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.lpapa.org/laguna-plein-air-invitational
Each year the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association invites the top award-winning plein air painters to gather. The 2024 Laguna Invitational will include free and ticketed events throughout the week. October 6: Annual Quick Draw Painting Competition; October 13: Invitational Art Show & Painting Demonstrations.
Colorado
8th Annual Monuments and Canyons Plein Air Event
Dates: September 29-October 6
Opening Reception: October 4
Sponsoring Organization: Colorado National Monument Association
City: Fruita
Contact: John Lintott Phone: 970.858.2808
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.coloradonma.org
Paint the scenic red rock canyons of Colorado National Monument and the surrounding high-desert beauty in Western Colorado. Proceeds from the exhibition provide support for education, research, outreach, and park service special projects in Colorado National Monument. Many opportunities for artists besides the main exhibition: optional river float painting trip, and an extra exhibit in 2025.
Idaho
Eagle Plein Air Festival
Dates: October 5-12
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: Finer Frames
Format: Open
Award Total: $4,000
Contact: Meg Glasgow
Phone: 208.888.9898
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.eaglepleinair.com
We will be offering workshops, daily demonstrations, paint-outs, quick draw, artist reception, and a collectors’ party. Our fast-growing festival is a great place to enjoy the camaraderie of 80+ painters while exploring Idaho’s diverse landscape: deserts, mountains, rivers, and canyonlands, all within a short drive from our central location in Eagle, Idaho.
Iowa
Bluff Strokes 2024 Paint Out
Dates: September 29-October 5
Venue: Steeple Square, Dubuque
Format: Juried
Award Total: $15,000
Contact: Wesley Heitzman
Phone: 563.845.1801
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.bluffstrokes.org
Paint historic Dubuque, Iowa, on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Dubuque boasts historic residences, buildings, and parks; river vistas and riverfront scenes; and interesting barge, rail, and industrial infrastructure. Nestled in the Driftless Region, which was not scoured by the glaciers, it offers beautiful topography and many forest, creek, and agricultural scenes. Our sales venue is a beautiful repurposed German Catholic church. Visit our website to see last year’s winners, and explore our “Paint Dubuque” pages for painting opportunities.
Louisiana
Annual Farm to Forest Plein Air Festival
Dates: October 10-13
Opening Reception: October 10
Venue: Alexandria Museum of Art
Format: Juried
Award Total: $2,500
Contact: Olivia Helmer
Phone: 786.239.7941
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.themuseum.org
The festival will have artists coming from all over the United States to paint and highlight Central Louisiana! From the piney woods of Kisatchie National Forest to historic downtown properties, there’s something for every artist to be inspired by in Central Louisiana.
Massachusetts
25th Annual National Juried Exhibition
Dates: September 27-October 26
Sponsoring Organization: American Impressionist Society
Venue: Rockport Art Association and Museum
Format: Juried
Juror of Awards: Carolyn Anderson AISM
Award Total: $80,000
Contact: Liz Ahrens
Phone: 231.881.7685
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.americanimpressionistsociety.org
American Impressionist Society provides opportunities to artists working in the style of Impressionism. Annually AIS presents four juried exhibitions, panel discussions, painting demos, workshops, critiques, and painting competitions. Exhibitions and events are open to the public. Membership dues $60 annually. AIS partners with galleries and arts organizations to present our exhibitions. 2024 includes our 25th Annual National Exhibition and 8th Annual Small Works Showcase at Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, Georgia. Founded in 1998, AIS has grown to one of the most respected national arts organizations, with 2,200 members.
Cape Ann Plein Air 2024
Dates: October 5-13
Sponsoring Organization: Cape Ann Plein Air, Inc.
Contact: Mike Storella
Phone: 718.710.2475
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.capeannpleinair.org
Known for its unique and penetrating beauty, artists have long been drawn to America’s oldest seaport, celebrating 400+ years of history in Gloucester. This rich cultural tradition continues, painting alongside the echoes of Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Milton Avery, and Nell Blaine. Artists enjoy painting the scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean; the charming towns of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Ipswich; and the rich artistic heritage of the region.
Berkshire Plein Air
Dates: Through October 11
Sponsoring Organization: Guild of Berkshire Artists
City: West Stockbridge
Format: Open
Contact: Karen Carmean
Phone: 617.868.7082
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.berkshireartists.org/pleinair
Create art outdoors with Berkshire Plein Air of Western Massachusetts. Daily 10am-1pm except Sundays, weather permitting, June-October. Meet at a beautiful Berkshire location: Hancock Shaker Village, The Mount, the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Work until noon, then positive critique over lunch (bring or buy). Oil, acrylic, photography, watercolors, pastel, drawing, digital painting encouraged. Bring your own supplies. Open to all levels. Come for a day, a week. Join us for exhibits, quick draws, demonstrations, workshops, and competitions. We also go to The Clark, Mount Greylock, Oxbow on Housatonic, a horse farm, Tyringham Cobble, Lake Cheshire, Bartholomew’s Cobble, Stockbridge, Lenox, Great Barrington, and Sheffield.
New York
Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival
Dates: October 14-19
Opening Reception: October 19
Sponsoring Organization: Wallkill River Center for the Arts
Format: Juried
Award Total: $4,000
Contact: Sarah Pierson
Phone: 845.457.2787
E-mail: [email protected]
Revel in the peak of the Northeast fall color in this historic region and the home of the famous Hudson River School artists. The landscape features charming villages, historic sites, lakes, rivers, marshes, mountainous vistas, and rolling agricultural lands. The week kicks off with a Quick Draw competition. Artists may paint anywhere on the map, or join optional group paint locations. Social nights, demos, and other activities are scheduled throughout the week for both painters and the general public. Join us for our 9th year!
North Carolina
Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-Out
Dates: October 2-4
Sponsoring Organization: Orange County Arts Commission
Contact: Katie Murray
Phone: 919.245.2335
Website: www.artsorange.org
Texas
Brushes by the Beach
Dates: October 3-20
Opening Reception: October 26
Entry Deadline: October 19
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: G. Lee Gallery, Galveston
Format: Open
Contact: Brenda Donaloio Lee
Phone: 409.370.7350
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.gleegallery.net
Wrap up your plein air year with warmer weather on Galveston Island. Can’t travel to the Island? No worries, this open plein air event accepts online plein air submissions created anywhere within the U.S. But if you can come to the Island, your plein air challenges will reach from beach to bay, historic neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a working port. We enjoy welcoming back, year after year, beginners to pros. Cash prizes and ribbons awarded.
Two Rivers Plein Air
Dates: October 14-19
Opening Reception: October 14
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: New Braunfels Art League
Format: Open
Award Total: $3,000
Contact: Mary Hammond
Phone: 210.845.2380
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.thenewbraunfelsartleague.com
Come experience the charm of historical New Braunfels. The $75 entry fee covers the plein air event and the Quick Draw with the Meet & Mingle. The first 35 artists will be accepted, with 10 alternates. Quick Draw (October 14) is open to outside artists as a one-day activity for a $30 entry fee. Art will be on display and for sale during the week of the event.
EnPleinAirTEXAS
Dates: October 20-26
City: San Angelo
Format: Juried
Contact: Barbara Rallo
Phone: 325.656.2500
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.enpleinairtexas.com
In the 1920s artists gathered on the clear spring waters of the Concho River, never dreaming today we’d be doing the same. Come paint on iconic private ranches and the eclectic downtown of San Angelo along that same Concho River. The nationally acclaimed San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts welcomes you with West Texas hospitality, with host homes and innovative events.
Virginia
Plein Air Abingdon
Dates: October 3-5
Sponsoring Organization: Virginia Highlands Festival
City: Abingdon
Format: Open
Award Total: $4,000
Contact: Deirdre Cole
Phone: 423.963.9007
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.vahighlandsfestival.org
Plein Air Abingdon is a three-day, open enrollment painting event now celebrating its 8th year. We invite our community to participate in a town-wide art celebration produced by the Virginia Highlands Festival. Visitors can witness creativity at work on Abingdon’s sidewalks and farms. Artists spend three days painting in the open air with direct inspiration from the mountains, fields, streams, and historic buildings unique to Abingdon. Family-friendly events each night will offer artists the chance to sell their day’s work and art connoisseurs to obtain their next masterpiece. Finale exhibit will be hosted by William King Museum of Art.
Canada
The Great Migration Paint-Out
Plein Air Painting Competition, Exhibition, and Sale
Dates: October 17-20
Opening Reception: October 20
Entry Deadline: October 16
Sponsoring Organization: The Town of Kingsville, Ontario
Venue: The Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre
Format: Open
Award Total: Over $4,000
Contact: Layne van Loo
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 226.345.3714
Website: www.kingsville.ca/paintout
Kingsville is located on the north shore of Lake Erie on the 42nd parallel, the southernmost point in the province. The town is home to the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, where thousands of Canada Geese stop over to rest on their migration route in spring and fall. We welcome you to come and paint our variety of historical buildings, marinas, quaint farms, and lakeside vistas while enjoying the hospitality and amenities the town has to offer.
Online Art Event Coming Soon
Realism Live
Dates: November 13-15, with Essential Techniques Day on November 12
Sponsoring Organization: Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
Website: RealismLive.com
There are many forms of realism. For instance, many paint impressionist paintings, while others paint or draw tight, realistic subjects. Realism Live is a 3-day virtual event that contains art instruction demonstrations, talks on art principles, lectures on art history, painting critiques, and artist roundtable discussions. It includes all styles of realism, painting mediums, and subjects including figure, portrait, still life, landscape, floral, and more. There’s even an optional Essential Techniques Day before the main event. Essentials Day is a great opportunity for those who need a refresher before the main event, or those just starting out. This event is held online, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.
Additional October Deadline
- PleinAir® Salon Art Competition
Enter the PleinAir Salon $50,000 Art Competition. This is open to all artists and not just for plein air painters. You could win $15,000 and be on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine!
Deadline: October 31
PleinAirSalon.com
Stay tuned for more painting events coming online or near your hometown! We’ll post next month’s painting events soon!
