Demonstrating the true grit and dedication of plein air master painters, the 28th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational concluded its 9-day event with record-breaking art sales despite a 95°F heatwave during Quick Draw, pounding surf and high tides flooding Coast Highway, and rain during the Invitational Awards Presentation.
Presented by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), the prestigious plein air festival awarded over $50,000 in cash and prizes. The LPAPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Laguna’s rich artistic heritage and continuing its century-old plein air painting tradition. Membership is open to Artists at all experience levels, living anywhere in the world, as well as art enthusiasts who wish to help LPAPA preserve Laguna’s plein air painting legacy.
This year’s Invitational culminated in Southern California artist Michael Obermeyer capturing the coveted $10,000 Best in Show Prize for his oil painting, “The Approach.”
Obermeyer holds the distinction of being the only artist invited to participate in all twenty-eight Laguna Invitational events since its inception in 1999. This year’s award marks his second Laguna Invitational Best in Show victory at this nationally recognized event.
The 2026 Invitational’s Best in Show judging panel included James Irvine Swinden (Co-Founder of The Irvine Museum), Kathryn Kanjo (Director of the UCI Langson Orange County Museum of California Art), and Kathleen Dunphy (LPAPA Signature Artist and recipient of this year’s LPAPA Lifetime Achievement Award).
Other Top Awards included:
- $5,000 Award of Excellence & Artists’ Choice Award: Terry Miura (Northern California) for “At the Cinema”
- $2,500 Jean Stern Distinctive Merit Legacy Award: Jennifer Diehl (Tennessee) for “Sunset Over Laguna”
- PleinAir Magazine Award of Excellence: Jim McVicker (Northern California) for “Ocean View”
- Fine Art Connoisseur Award of Excellence: Aimee Erickson (Oregon) for “Art First, Then Laundry”
- The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, “Artist in Residence” Award: Lisa Skelly (Balboa Island, CA) for her overall body of work
- Kinsman Family “Best Urban” Award: Michael Situ (Irvine, CA) for “Main Beach”
- Kinsman Family “Best Seascape” Award: Mark Jacobucci for “Misty Morning at Main Beach”
Lifetime Achievements & Community Honors:
- 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to LPAPA Signature Artist Kathleen Dunphy in recognition of her status as a master plein air painter, generous educator, and true icon of American landscape art.
- 2026 Lifetime Member Award: Presented to Linda Stern honoring her tireless volunteer spirit, unwavering dedication, and extraordinary service to LPAPA and the greater art community.
LPAPA’s Mission: Preserving the Legacy and Inspiring the Future
In alignment with LPAPA’s educational mission, the week included two major student outreach events: the Future Generation Paint Out (serving Laguna Beach Unified School District students) and the Next Generation Paint Out (featuring student talent from the Laguna College of Art + Design).
Student artwork will be on exhibition at the LPAPA Gallery October 15 – November 30, 2026, with proceeds directly benefiting local student artists, local schools, and emerging LCAD student artists.
Four LCAD students received cash scholarship awards and prizes:
- 1st Place: Cole Mendenhall for “Grass” (9” x 12” Oil)
- 2nd Place: Anne Lan for “Casting Shadows” (9” x 12” Gouache)
- 3rd Place: Maya Buchwald for “Sandless Beach” (9” x 12” Gouache)
- Honorable Mention: Kayley Jane Dykman for “Day at the Park” (9” x 12” Oil)
Additionally, LPAPA collaborated with the Laguna Art Museum for its signature “Plein Talk” panel discussion, bringing together artists, experts, and collectors to discuss the past, present, and future of plein air painting.
To learn more, visit the historic gallery space at 414 N. Coast Highway (El Paseo / Gallery Row), or visit LPAPA.org.
Press release submitted by Toni Kellenberg, President of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
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