The Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters (RMPAP) 11th Annual National Paint-Out and Exhibition will be held from July 1 through 15, 2012. The event brings together 44 professional artists from around the country and is the first of its kind at Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). Participating artists will paint for two weeks (starting July 1st) in GTNP and the Jackson Hole area. Event artists will also offer daily painting demonstrations at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor’s Center (CTDVC) beginning July 7th.

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs is once again teaming up with the Charleston Artist Guild to produce this year’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival 28th Annual Juried Art Exhibition from May 25th through June 8, 2012. More than 80 artists will be in the park showing their work to thousands of visitors who come for all of the events. Awards will be presented at a reception on June 3rd from 5:00-7:00pm.

Artists interested in participating in Plein Air Artists Paint Ocean City, MD have until June 1st to apply for the event that runs from June 22nd through the 24th, 2012. Prizes totaling $1750 will be awarded.

ARTrageous is a unique fundraising event benefiting foster children through art. Kids residing in foster care and a kids committee collaborate with a dynamic group of artists to help create artwork for auction. The artwork created, along with donated works of art and luxury items will be sold in a silent and live auction at the ARTrageous Gala Dinner + Art Auction. Monday June 4, 2012 Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, NYC.

Artists from around the country will gather in Augusta, MO to enjoy spring in wine country for the 10th Annual ten-day Plein Air Art Event that concludes with an awards ceremony and public sale on Saturday April 28th.

Here’s a preview of three plein air events taking place in coming months. Mark your calendars to attend or to submit your applications to be part of the fun.

As the grand nephew of John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), Richard Ormond has devoted much of his professional career to researching the life and work of the artist, and he has written major books on Sargent’s 2000 plus pictures, including the plein air paintings discussed in a new volume. He will be traveling from London to lecture on Sargent during the 1st Annual PleinAir Convention & Expo in Las Vegas from April 12-15, 2012 (www.pleinairconvention.com).