Painting Exhibitions and Events

Discover upcoming artist events, art exhibitions, paint-outs, quick draws, Invitationals, and more for plein air artists and collectors.

Olmsted Plein Air Starts Early

Although the competitive festivities for the 2018 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational don’t take place until April 21-29, that doesn’t mean organizers can’t get things started a little early — with these.
Sergio Roffo painting on location

Exhibition: Elements Unveiled

"There is something deeply meditative about watching Sergio Roffo put paints onto a canvas."

Minnesota Nice

Plein Air Grand Marais, a Minnesota event that just wrapped up its awards presentation in the picturesque area along the North Shore of Lake Superior, is one of the premier plein air opportunities in the Midwest, continually drawing the region’s best artistic talent. Who captured glory in 2017?

The Granite Group

Every year since 2005 an intrepid crew of artists come together from all over California, and beyond, to trek the High Sierras, be inspired, and paint. In the first major installation of 2018, the Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse Arts Center will present “Granite Group: Plein Air Paintings of the High Sierras.” The exhibition opens...
Plein air painting events - winning artists

Top Picks at the 22nd Annual First Brush of Spring

Over 120 artists descended on the Wabash River town in Southwestern Indiana, competing for over $20,000 in prizes and purchase awards.

Trekking Artists to Exhibit: The Granite Group

Over the past few years, some of California’s most distinguished plein air artists have painted in the wilderness areas of the High Sierra Mountains. Now a large group of their plein air and studio paintings are on exhibition. Find out which artists are included in the show.
Plein Air Convention & Expo

Tons of Friends, 5 Stages, 1 Price

Don't wait - PACE is starting soon and you can still join us (in Denver and even online)!
Plein air painting events

Your Plein Air Painting Events Guide for December 2022

Take advantage of these in-person and virtual plein air painting opportunities from our special guide!

An Eden in the ‘Concrete Jungle’

The New York Botanical Gardens recently hosted a paint-out invitational with more than 20 established plein air painters on hand. Beautiful settings + talented artists = worth your attention.

Parting Shot: A Precious Trip for Painters

PleinAir magazine’s own Richard Lindenberg seems thrilled to meet an unusual creature in the exotic locale of New Zealand. He was part of the contingent who joined Eric Rhoads for a Publisher’s Invitational event to the Pacific country.
Franz Bischoff, "A Cool Fog Drifting," 1924, oil on canvas

Gifted: Collecting the Art of California

The exhibition chronicles the history of a lesson in art appreciation for a SoCal high school that would mature into "one of the most outstanding collections of early California Impressionism in the nation."
Artist retreat - OutdoorPainter.com

Paint for One Whole Week This October

Get away and do nothing but paint for an entire week … you deserve it!
Eric Rhoads and friends painting en plein air at a Publisher's Invitational

Summer Art Retreat: Join Me and a Few Friends in the Adirondacks

Paint all day, every day, without any distractions; make deep friendships; have everything taken care of for you.
Plein Air Live - BethUllmann

Making Friends and Changing Lives at Plein Air Live

There was more to Plein Air Live than learning how to paint better landscapes...
At PACE paint-outs, faculty members are available to guide you while you're painting - a great opportunity for beginning artists

March 2024 Painting Events – In-Person and Online

Take advantage of these in-person and virtual plein air painting opportunities from our special guide!
Mark Cleveland, "Stuck at the Light: Heart o’ Chicago," Oil, 12 x 12 in.

Chicago For Real

From neighborhood landmarks to well-trod park paths to unnamed alleys, each of these paintings has a familiar feeling of Chicago.

Why People Are Still Talking About #PACE19

See the works of artists who are still in the afterglow of the 8th Annual Plein Air Convention, and get excited about our next stop: Denver!
Plein air events for artists

Your Plein Air Painting Guide for August 2019

Looking for a local event next month? Check out these listings of plein air events from the Northeast to the Southwest, and beyond!

Frank Hobbs in Virginia

An exhibition of paintings and monotypes by Frank Hobbs, an artist who has championed plein air painting and has introduced others to the challenges...

EXHIBITION: Summer Salon

Collins Galleries in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, will soon be opening its annual summer salon with an outstanding display of still life, landscape, portraiture, and more from many of the biggest names in the art world today. Find out who and when here!