The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) is proud to announce the award winners of its recent 22nd Annual “Best of Plein Air” Juried Art Show. This prestigious exhibition brought together 124 artists from across the United States to compete for top honors and a coveted invitation to the 2026 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational (October 3–11, 2026).
From the organizers:
After an intensive jurying process of 343 submissions, the 2026 Awards Judge, Mr. Jean Stern (Director Emeritus of The Irvine Museum and LPAPA Artistic Advisor), selected the following masterpieces for top honors:
“The ‘Best of Plein Air’ remains a cornerstone of our mission,” says LPAPA President Toni Kellenberg. “By requiring all works to be completed entirely outdoors on location, we honor the authentic connection between the artist and the landscape that has defined the Laguna Beach art colony for over a century.”
This year’s competitive field represented artists from ten states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. The qualifying jury included LPAPA Founder & Signature Artist Saim Caglayan, LPAPA Signature Artist Aimee Erickson, and LPAPA Vice President Celeste Gilles.
The exhibition is available online for viewing and buying through LPAPA.org. Proceeds from art sales directly support the artists and LPAPA’s year-round educational outreach and youth programs.
Don’t miss your opportunity to create lifetime memories at the Plein Air Convention & Expo! All training sessions are indoors on giant, high-def screens, with plein air paint-outs in the afternoons. Beginners and pros feel right at home, so register at PleinAirConvention.com to join us.
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Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
