Take advantage of these art and plein air painting events and opportunities from our 2025 Ultimate Guide to Painting Events and Organizations. Bonus: Includes upcoming event deadlines!
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August 2025 Painting Events
California
EXHIBITION: COLORS OF CONSERVATION 2025
Dates: August 8-9
Sponsor: San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment
Venue: Octagon Barn Center, Land Conservancy of SLO County
Website: www.slope-painters.com
The annual event represents the largest collection of original landscape art of open spaces, ranches and preserves under land management agreements with the Land Conservancy of SLO County. A portion of art sales will benefit The Land Conservancy. Last year’s Colors of Conservation art sales generated over $10,000 in donations to the Land Conservancy.
20TH FRANK BETTE PLEIN AIR PAINTOUT
Dates: July 28-August 2
Opening Reception: August 2
Sponsoring Organization: Frank Bette Center for the Arts
Venue: South Shore Center, Alameda
Format: Juried
Juror of Awards: Richard Lindenberg
Award Total: $6450
Website: frankbettecenter.org
The Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout hosts up to 40 juried artists for a week of painting tree-lined streets; stately Victorian homes and shops; picturesque marinas; historic naval ships and naval air station; as well as beaches, lagoons, parks, and San Francisco and Oakland skylines in the island city of Alameda. The week includes a welcome reception, luncheon and a quick draw and an outdoor exhibit and sale of all the paintings on Saturday.
EXHIBITION: Painting Route 66-An Artist Road Trip
Dates: Through August 10
Venue: Luna Gallery in San Juan Bautista
Website: www.lunagallery.art
A plein air exhibit celebrating the Route 66 Centennial and focusing on scenes along the route through New Mexico, Arizona, and California has been organized by Santa Fe Artists Carole Belliveau, Stephanie West, Wendy Ahlm, and Elizabeth May.
Colorado
COLORADO GRANDEUR 2025 PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF AMERICA NATIONAL EXHIBIT
Dates: August 1-30
Opening Reception: August 2
Sponsoring Organization: Shaun Horne Gallery
Venue: Crested Butte Center for the Arts, Kinder Padon Gallery
Format: Invitational
Website: shaunhornegallery.com
Presenting an extensive collection of paintings by Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) members, including many new paintings of central Colorado. Plein air and studio paintings will be for sale. PAPA is the original and premier landscape painting artist group in the United States. PAPA’s Catalina California shows beginning in 1986 were the very signal of an American return to referential painting. Hosted by the Shaun Horne Gallery at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts.
7th ANNUAL ESTES VALLEY PLEIN AIR
Dates: August 21-26
Opening Reception: August 29
Sponsoring Organization: Art Center of Estes Park
Venue: MacGregor Ranch, Estes Park
Format: Open
Award Total: $11,000
Website: artcenterofestes.com
Activities include a quick paint/auction, nocturne painting, as well as poster/wine label and miniature contests. Enjoy the exquisitely beautiful painting opportunities. Works will hang in the Art Center of Estes Park throughout September.
25th ANNUAL VICTOR CELEBRATES THE ARTS
Dates: August 22-September 1
Opening Reception: August 24
Entry Deadline: August 15
Sponsoring Organization: Victor Celebrates the Arts
Venue: Victor Elks Lodge
Format: Juried
Award Total: $4000+
Website: victorcelebratesthearts.org
Professional and emerging artists participate in painting various scenes in and around the City of Victor and many nearby legendary 1890s gold mining sites. Our show is judged by a respected artist, with over $4,000 in prize money.
PLEIN AIR ARTISTS COLORADO 28TH ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED SHOW
Dates: August 25-October 5
Opening Reception: September 5
Sponsoring Organization: Gilpin County Arts Association
Venue: The Art Gallery in Central City
Format: Juried
Award Total: $5000+
Website: pleinairartistscolorado.com
PAAC was created for the love of plein air painting and for members to enjoy the camaraderie of painting outdoors. A founding principle is that PAAC creates opportunities for artists to paint outdoors together on a regular basis.
3RD ANNUAL PEAK ART ADVENTURE PLEIN AIR EVENT AND COMPETITION
Dates: July 23-August 6
Entry Deadline and Opening Reception Date: July 25
Sponsoring Organizations: Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters; Reserve Our Gallery; Artistic Endeavors Fine Art
Venue: Reserve Our Gallery, Woodland Park
Format: Open
Award Total: $6000
Website: pikespeakpleinairpainters.com/peak-art-adventure
Join us for the third annual plein air event and competition! Artists of all skill levels are welcome to paint in the beautiful Pikes Peak area, which features stunning suburban, wilderness, and forest landscapes. This is a juried competition, with cash & prize awards for Professional, Advanced, and Emerging categories. Additionally, there will be a gallery exhibition showcasing all submitted entries.
Idaho
PLEIN AIR COEUR D’ALENE
Dates: August 1-3
Website: pleinaircda.com
Art on the Green is a beloved local event celebrating it’s 57th year. Welcoming crowds of 30,000 people, Art on the Green is the perfect host for Plein Air Coeur d’Alene. Our booth gets a lot of attention, and in 2023 we sold half of the show! With cash awards, great visibility, and a crowd of buyers, Plein Air Coeur d’Alene is a great event for artists who want the opportunity to explore our beautiful region through plein air work, display, and sales.
DRIGGS PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: July 23-August 1
Opening Reception: July 27
Sponsoring Organization: Downtown Driggs Association
Venue: Driggs City Building and Plaza
Format: Juried
Award Total: $4,000
Website: downtowndriggs.org
Please join us for the 14th Annual Driggs Plein Air Festival, held on the west side of the Teton Range. Artists paint anywhere in Teton Valley, located in between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Artists and collectors enjoy the extended show & sale, collector preview, artists workshops, opening reception and concert, Quick Draw competitions, paint-outs, competition awards ceremony, and closing reception.
Maryland
PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Dates: Through November 18
Website: dianeduboismullaly.com/other1
PAPCB is the “daughter” of the long-established Plein Air Painters of the Eastern Shore (PAPES) and now has over 50 members and organizes plein air paint outs every Tuesday.
Michigan
PAINT DEXTER PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: August 11-16
Opening Reception: August 15
Sponsoring Organization: The City of Dexter
Venue: Monument Park
Format: Open
Website: paintdexter.com
Paint Dexter Plein Air is sponsored by the Dexter Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee. This community-oriented festival sees artists and patrons from all over the country. Artists of all skill levels are invited to participate, including Emerging (open) and Professional (juried) artists.
Montana
AIS 26TH ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION
Dates: August 1-September 2
Opening Reception Date: August 1
Sponsoring Organization: American Impressionist Society
Venue: Cassens Fine Art in Hamilton
Format: Juried
Juror of Awards: Ned Mueller AIS
Award Total: $100,000
Website: americanimpressionistsociety.org
American Impressionist Society provides opportunities to artists working in the style
of Impressionism. Annually, AIS presents four juried exhibitions, lectures, critiques, workshops, demos, paint-outs, and tours. AIS partners with galleries and arts organizations to host our exhibitions. Founded in 1998, AIS has grown to a highly respected national arts organization with over 2,300 members.
New Mexico
PLEIN AIR PAINTERS NEW MEXICO
Dates: Through August 29
Website: papnm.org
“The Mother Road” is a non-juried plein air event open to artist members of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) and the Amarillo Art Institute (AAI) Artists may paint plein air anywhere along the historic route 66 in either Texas or New Mexico during the Paint Out period of the event.
New York
ADIRONDACK PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: August 18-23
Opening Reception Date: August 22
Sponsoring Organization: Saranac Lake ArtWorks
Venue: Harrietstown Town Hall, Saranac Lake
Format: Juried Award Total: $6,500
Website: saranaclakeartworks.org
The 17th annual Adirondack Plein Air Festival invites 40 artists for six days of painting in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Over $6,000 in prizes will be awarded. Meet the artists, nocturne contest, Quick Draw, silent auction, preview party, and show and sale.
North Carolina
BLOWING ROCK PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: August 19-23
Opening Reception: August 19
Sponsoring Organization: Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
Venue: BRAHM’s Alexander Community Gallery
Format: Open
Website: blowingrockpleinair.org
Over 100 artists will capture the beauty of western North Carolina’s mountains. Blowing Rock, NC, is a charming Appalachian village near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain. Don’t miss the grand finale Show & Sale on August 23, where artists and collectors connect. We welcome artists of all levels to join the tradition in future years.
South Dakota
HARVEY DUNN SOCIETY PLEIN AIR
Dates: August 7-10
Opening Reception Date: August 8
Sponsoring Organization: Harvey Dunn Society
Venue: Ingalls Homestead in De Smet
Format: Combination
Award Total: $500
Website: dunnpleinair.com
Join us for “Painting on the Prairie,” South Dakota’s longest-running plein air event. Located in De Smet: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little Town on the Prairie” and near the birthplace of famed local artist Harvey Dunn. Open to all. Free registration includes demonstrations and group painting events. This year celebrating the 75th anniversary of Dunn’s premier South Dakota exhibition in De Smet.
Utah
PLEIN AIR HELPER
Dates: August 13-16
Website: pleinairhelper.com
Wisconsin
12th ANNUAL PAINT THE POINT
Dates: August 6-9
Opening Reception: August 8
Sponsoring Organization: Arts Mineral Point, Inc.
Venue: Mineral Point Masonic Lodge #1
Format: Open
Award Total: $8,000
Website: artsmp.org/paint-the-point
The 12th annual Paint The Point will feature 45 artists competing in Main Event, Nocturne, Quick Paint, and Postcard events with over $8,000 in cash and prizes. Main Event paintings may be painted throughout Mineral Point and neighboring Dodgeville townships. Founded in 1826, and located in the Driftless region, the town motto is “Where Wisconsin Began.” Historic limestone vernacular architecture and surrounding idyllic countryside offer artists tremendous creative options.
Quebec, Canada
WEST ISLAND ART STUDIO CIRCUIT
Dates: August 16-December 31
Venue: Across the West Island area in Montreal
Website: www.wiasc.ca
Join us for the first annual West Island Art Studio Circuit, with studio visits in mid-August, a café art show in September, and a 3D virtual exhibition October through December – all for free. During our Open Studio Day Aug. 16 (Aug. 17 in case of rain), visit individual studios in seven West Island neighborhoods. Keep an eye out for outdoor displays of the artists’ plein air painting set-ups, and Selfie Stands for your pics!
August Deadlines for Artists
- August 31: McKinney en Plein Air 2025 (mckinneypleinair.com)
- August 31: PleinAir Salon Art Competition (pleinairsalon.com)
Upcoming Painting Events
PASTEL LIVE
Dates: September 17-19 (Essential Techniques Day September 16)
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine
Venue: Online
Website: pastellive.com
Sometimes we want to try new mediums, or seek ways to enhance our creativity. For decades artists have turned to pastel for brilliant, vibrant colors. Pastel painting is a huge worldwide trend, and Pastel Live is an online event consisting of 3 days of demonstrations from 30 of the world’s leading pastel artists, lectures, painting critiques, discussions, and more. There’s even an optional Essential Techniques Day before the main event; it’s a great opportunity for those who need a refresher, or for those just starting out. Join a worldwide audience of passionate pastel painters and those who want to discover more about it. This event is held online, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.
FALL COLOR WEEK
Dates: September 28-October 5
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine
Venue: The Lodge at Leathem Smith in Door County, WI
Website: fallcolorweek.com
PleinAir Magazine’s Eric Rhoads lives in a place where fall color isn’t great, so he created the Fall Color Week retreat, held in various locations during peak color season annually. It’s a week of painting with old friends and new ones. They have our meals together and they stay on the same property … all for one price. Join Eric this fall in Door County, Wisconsin, during peak fall color season. Come enjoy the beautiful fall scenery with no competition, just painting alongside your friends. No meals to cook, no one to care for, just roll out of bed, get fed, and paint all day. It’s glorious.
Coming Soon: SWITZERLAND PLEIN AIR TRIP – PUBLISHER’S INVITATIONAL
Dates: October 10-20
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine
Website: www.paintswitzerland.com
Follow in the brushstrokes of the masters who found inspiration in these majestic landscapes — from Monet’s brilliant exploration of alpine light and color to Sargent’s dramatic mountain compositions, Sorolla’s luminous mountain scenes, and Bierstadt’s breathtaking panoramas. Even Turner and Cézanne were captivated by Switzerland’s unparalleled beauty. Hosted by Eric Rhoads, CEO of Streamline Publishing.
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