The 15th Annual Driggs Plein Air Festival has announced its juried competition award winners. The festival was held on the west side of the Teton Range, July 22-August 1, 2026. Artists painted throughout the Teton Valley, located in between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Artists and collectors enjoyed the extended show & sale, collector preview, artists’ workshops, opening reception and concert, quick draw competitions, paint-outs, competition awards ceremony, and closing reception.
“Driggs Plein Air was fantastic this year,” said Lisa Simmons, Executive Director of the Downtown Driggs Association. “The caliber of artists keeps advancing (70 this year) and everyone was lovely to work with. We are very happy with the outcome!”
15th Annual Driggs Plein Air Festival Juried Competition Awards
- 1st Place: Bryce Samuelson, “Bliss Rock,” 16 x 16 in. unframed, oil (shown above)
- 2nd Place: McKenzie Paxton, “Targhee Medley,” oil
- 3rd Place: Sabrina Schmidt, “Has Been a Good Friend,” oil
- People’s Choice: Elo Wobig, “Last Light First Moon,” oil
- Honorable Mention: Michelle Nixon, “A Bit of Rain on E Little Main,” watercolor
- Susan M. Rose Artist’s Choice Award: Zach Hixson, “Home Base,” oil
Nocturne Awards:
1st Place: Dave English, “Driggs the View,” oil
Honorable Mention: Olga Bankston, “Bicycles at Rest,” oil
Honorable Mentions
Russell Ricks, “Sunrise on an Overcast Day,” oil
Lester B. Lee, “Three,” watercolor
Joni Jurek, “Teton Canyon,” oil
Allen Brockbank, “Woodland Radiance,” oil
Blake Luther, “Benchmark,” oil
The Driggs Plein Air Festival was sponsored by Sun-Ray Enterprises. The Jurors of Awards were John Lintott and Kathryn Stats, with an award total of $5,000. For more information, please visit: www.downtowndriggs.org
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Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
