Recently, Peak Art Adventure brought artists together from around the country to plein air in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado. The plein air event and competition is held annually in Woodland Park, and the experience includes group destination paint outs.
Destinations included Aspen Valley Ranch, Manitou Lake, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Trout Creek Ranch, Shining Mountain Golf Course (which sits in front of Pikes Peak), the Gazebo in Green Mountain Falls, and Memorial Park in Woodland Park. This year’s event also offered participants a series of free workshops, called Art Talk, which featured Master Artists from the region: Chuck Mardosz, Scott Yeager, Augie Setter, and Michael Gault.
More from the organizers:
The event’s conclusion came with an awards ceremony held at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. Participants submitted their art to be put on display for judging and inclusion in the evening’s Gala, which began with a VIP event allowing patrons from throughout the Pikes Peak Region to come in for the first viewing, opportunities to purchase the work and meet the artists.
Judge for the event was representational oil painter Chuck Mardosz, who is a 40-year resident of Colorado. His magnificent paintings have gained him an international reputation.
List of Winners & Prizes:
- Park State Bank Choice Award with $300 cash was presented by gallery owner, Gayle Gross and went to Linda Shelly for her watercolor, “Trout Creek Ranch Barn.”
- The Quick-Draw winner from the Vino and Notes event was Ken Hartman. His painting, “Festival” received a $75 gift certificate from Meininger’s Art Supply.
- The Mayor’s Choice Award was presented by Woodland Park Mayor, Kelly Case with $300 cash provided by Mayor Case’s real estate company, went to Laura Lee Drumwright for her oil painting, “Peaceful Moment in the Sunshine.”
- The Mountain Artists’ Choice award for $200 cash was presented by MA President, Nancy Stannard and went to Margaret Frey for her oil painting, “Life Giving Falls.”
- Tweed’s Home Furnishing’s Choice Award went to Tom Lockhart for his oil painting, “Manitou Cattails.”
- The Patron’s Choice award was presented to Sharon Stephenson-Black for her acrylic painting “Blowing in the Wind.”
- The Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters’ Choice Award went to PPPAP member, Jacqui Gould for her oil plein air painting “Dappled Light.” She received an upcoming Featured Artist Show of her work on OutdoorPainter.com from PleinAir Magazine with a $1000 value and a $200 cash prize.
- The First Place Award for the Emerging Artist Category went to Julia Robinson for her painting, “Cloud Watch.” The prize for this award was a Virtual Event from PleinAir Magazine, valued at $900, a digital/print subscription to PleinAir Magazine valued at $50, and a $75 gift certificate from Meininger’s Art Supply.
- The Advanced Category First Place Award went to Jacqui Gould for her oil painting, “Lake Manitou Run Off.” The prize for this award was a Virtual Event from PleinAir Magazine, valued at $900, a digital/print subscription to PleinAir Magazine valued at $50, and a $100 gift certificate from Blick Art Supplies.
- Artist Rita Cirillo took home the Professional Category’s First Place Award for her oil painting, “On Rampart Range Road.” The Professional award included a Featured Artwork show on OutdoorPainter.com valued at $1000, a digital/print subscription to PleinAir Magazine valued at $50, and a $100 gift certificate from Chartpak.
- Michael Gault’s oil painting “Lew’s Place” received the First Place Award for the Master Category. The Master Artist received a half page ad in PleinAir Magazine valued at $2400, a digital/print subscription to PleinAir Magazine valued at $50, and a $250 gift certificate from Chartpak.
- And the Best of Show Award went to the oil painting, “Fast Water” by local artist Scott Yeager. The Best of Show Award received a half page ad in PleinAir Magazine valued at $2,400, a digital/print subscription to PleinAir Magazine valued at $50, and a $250 gift certificate from Royal Talens.
Host and event coordinator Gayle Gross commented, “the event was a great example of a vision to bring artists and art lovers together in the Pikes Peak region.” The group events allowed the artists to do what they do best and they always drew public and tourist attention to the cultural event, making the event a true Destination Art project.
When asked what’s next, Gross replied that plans are already underway for the 2026 Peak Art Adventure, which is scheduled for the end of July-beginning of August. This year the event doubled in size from 2024, and she expects a similar growth spurt. Her plans to expand the event will focus on adding more awards for each category and also for finding additional sponsorships for other recognition options and to add additional Art Talks and possibly workshop options to entice artists to the Pikes Peak region for a Colorado plein air event vacation.
For more information, please visit pikespeakpleinairpainters.com.
Editor’s Note: Join us for the 6th Annual Plein Air Live online art conference, featuring Kathleen Hudson, Kevin Macpherson, Kami Mendlik, and many more! The event takes place November 6-8, 2025, with an Essential Techniques Day on November 5. Learn more at PleinAirLive.com.
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