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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June 2025 Painting Events
California
MARIPOSA PAINT OUT
Dates: June 6-8
Sponsoring Organization: Sierra Artists Gallery
Format: Open
Jurors of Awards: Penny Otwell, Christine Obers, Danjie Wei
Contact: Christina Orlossy, 805.551.0901, [email protected], sierraartistsgallery.com
Come join us at the FIRST Mariposa Paint Out! This is an open call event in a historic and charming Yosemite gateway town. Complete with meet-ups, workshops, and cash awards. Find lodging opportunities on our website. Use code: PAINT.
EXHIBITION: Painting Route 66-An Artist Road Trip
Dates: June 21-August 10
Venue: Luna Gallery in San Juan Bautista
Contact: 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
2025 BOULDER COUNTY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: May 31-June 8
Sponsoring Organization: Open Studios
Format: Juried
Award Total: $4000
Contact: Mary Horrocks, 303.748.9132, [email protected], openstudios.org/boulder-plein-air-fest
Artists from across the U.S. are invited to apply for the 2025 Boulder County Plein Air Festival along the Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Up to 25 artists will be selected to paint rural, urban and mountain scenes of beautiful Boulder County. Total award package is $4,000, with $1,000 awarded for best in show. All painting mediums are welcome.
TELLURIDE PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: June 30-July 6
Opening Reception Date: July 3
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine and Sheridan Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Venue: Sheridan Opera House
Format: Juried
Award Total: $15,000
Contact: Kylie Kirkpatrick, 970.728.6363 Ext 1., [email protected], telluridepleinair.com
The Telluride Plein Air Festival has become an indispensable part of Telluride’s Independence Day festivities, allowing locals and tourists alike to observe some of the nation’s top plein air artists at work. The festival culminates in a three-day sale, where the artists display the work they have created all week long. Proceeds benefit the historic Sheridan Opera House.
Florida
34TH NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION & CONVENTION
Dates: May 27-June 28
Sponsoring Organization: Oil Painters of America
Venue: Herrig Center for the Arts, Bradenton
Juror(s) of Awards: Patrick Saunders OPAM
Award Total: $100,000 with a $25,000 cash Best in Show
Contact: Liz Pusch, 630.352.6554, [email protected], oilpaintersofamerica.com
The exhibition will showcase around 220 oil paintings from top artists across North America. Convention events from May 27 to June 1 include painting demonstrations, breakout sessions, wet paint competitions, and more. Registration is required.
Maryland
PAINT ANNAPOLIS 2025
Dates: June 1-8
Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Federation of Art
Venue: Circle Gallery
Format: Combination
Jurors of Awards: Christine Lashley; Bernard Dellario
Award Total: $15,000
Contact: Laura Carty, [email protected], mdfedart.org
For 24 years, Paint Annapolis has been the premier plein air painting event for this sailing town, bringing the community together to share in the beauty of painting outdoors. Paint Annapolis will kick off with the Quick Draw and new events almost daily. Work will be on display and for sale from June 1-21. Paint Annapolis has something for everyone — from artist to art lover to collector. We are excited to see you for a week of painting in our historic streets.
15th ANNUAL PAINT IT! ELLICOTT CITY 2025
Dates: June 5-8
Opening Reception Date: June 9
Sponsoring Organization: Howard County Arts Council
Venue: Howard County Center for the Arts
Format: Combination
Contact: Elli Maria Hernandez, 410.313.2787, [email protected], hocoarts.org
Capture the old mill town’s charm through its trove of paintable treasures: historic landmarks, quirky architecture, steep hillsides, and a beautiful river.
PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Dates: Through November 18
Contact: Dianne Mullaly, [email protected], 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.
MOUNTAIN MARYLAND PLEIN AIR
Dates: June 9-June 14
Opening Reception: June 13
Sponsoring Organization: Allegany Arts Council
Format: Juried
Jurors of Awards: Stewart White
Award Total: $13,000
Contact: Patricia Hilton, [email protected], 301.461.2379, alleganyartscouncil.org/pleinair
Join us in the Appalachian Mountains, with rural landscapes and dramatic waterways, historic trains, abandoned industrial structures, the GAP hiking and biking trail, and patrons who appreciate plein air painting. Artists are invited to capture the magic of a renovated, reimagined downtown Cumberland that showcases historic architecture, new galleries, and businesses.
Michigan
8TH ANNUAL PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE PLEIN AIR EVENT
Dates: June 14-21
Opening Reception Date: June 20
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: Crooked Tree Arts Center
Format: Combination
Award Total: $15,000
Contact: Kristi Wodek, [email protected], 231.941.9488, paintgrandtraverse.com
Immerse yourself in the art of plein air painting in one of the most beautiful regions in the country! Paint Grand Traverse, set along Lake Michigan’s shores, draws nationally recognized artists for a week of workshops, live demos, and exhibitions. The week concludes with the Fresh Paint Party, showcasing new works from 32 top artists.
FRESH COAST PLEIN AIR PAINTING FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION
Dates: June 27-29
Opening Reception: June 28
Entry Deadline: June 27
Sponsoring Organization: Lake Superior Art Association
Venue: Outdoors (Marquette, MI) and indoor receptions (Presque Isle, MI)
Format: Open
Award Total: $4000
Contact: Marlene Wood, 847.791.8403, [email protected], lakesuperiorartassociation.org
The annual Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival takes place throughout historic and picturesque Marquette and along its magnificent Lake Superior shoreline. Competitors can turn in two paintings, entered into either professional or emerging artist categories. Our public awards reception is held Saturday. Sunday is our “sales and social day,” giving artists and the public the chance to purchase paintings created throughout the weekend.
Montana
PAINT UNDER THE BIG SKY
Dates: June 14-27
Opening Reception: June 28
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery
Format: Open
Contact: Joanna McCoy, 410.463.0645, [email protected], bigskyartistscollective.com
Paint Under the Big Sky in some of the nation’s most pristine and spectacular scenery in southwest Montana’s Gallatin River Canyon.
New York
PAINT ADIRONDACKS
Dates: June 7-14
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine, which hosts multiple painting events throughout the year
Venue: Paul Smith’s College
Contact: PleinAir Magazine, 561.655.8778 or 800.610.5771, PaintAdirondacks.com
PleinAir Magazine’s Eric Rhoads started the Publisher’s Invitational so his friends could join him in the Adirondacks to paint, but there’s no longer an invitation required. This event is a chance for busy painters who need a break — a chance to slow down, reconnect with friends, and paint beautiful places where the masters before us have painted. We make it effortless. You roll out of your dorm bed for breakfast, pack your sack lunch for your day of painting, and show up for dinner. Our days are filled with painting the Adirondack Mountains of Northern New York State and the surrounding area.
NEW YORK CITY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Date: June 7
Venue: Madison Square Park
Contact: https://thedrawingfoundation.org/event/new-york-city-plein-air-festival/
Join us for a full day of art-making in the beautiful and historic Madison Square Park. The park boasts 6.2 acres of meandering pathways and gardens in Manhattan’s only certified arboretum. Participants will have the opportunity to paint and draw in a number of locations throughout the park. We welcome artists of all experience levels to attend this free event (advanced registration strongly encouraged).
SPRING PLEIN AIR RENDEZVOUS
Date: June 14
Contact: Karen Meneghin, [email protected], zanegreypleinair.com
Pennsylvania
PLEIN AIR WEST READING
Dates: June 14-21
Opening Reception Date: June 20
Sponsoring Organization and Venue: Art Plus Gallery & Berks Art Alliance
Format: Juried
Jurors of Awards: Ron Donoughe
Award Total: $6000+
Contact: Russell Slocum, 610.781.6560, [email protected], artplusgallerypa.com
The 10th annual competition will offer 6 days to paint anywhere in Berks County for an array of awards totaling $6000+. Friday evening unveiling in historic ballroom, Saturday the exhibit becomes the keystone of the Art on the Avenue festival that drew 25,000+ last year. Host housing or discount lodging available.
Virginia
GLOUCESTER ARTS FESTIVAL
Dates: June 6-July 5
Opening Reception Date: June 6
Sponsoring Organization: The Cook Foundation
Venue: Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester
Format: Invitational
Jurors of Awards: Bob Upton
Award Total: $28,000
Contact: Elizabeth Blackney, 804.210.1202, [email protected], gloucesterartsfestival.com
Guests can watch as the invited plein air artists from across the country paint the Heart of the River collection in historic Gloucester. Meet the artists during the Brews, Brine & Wine event on Timberneck Farm at Machicomoco State Park, the Patrons Preview Party at historic Elmington, and join the gala at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester for the reveal of the 2025 Competition Paintings judged by Bob Upton.
Wisconsin
PLEIN AIR: A PAINT CEDARBURG EVENT
Dates: May 31-June 7
Opening Reception: June 6
Sponsoring Organization: Cedarburg Artists Guild
Venue: Cedarburg Cultural Center
Format: Open
Award Total: $8,500
Contact: Kerri Knapp, 262.993.9517, [email protected], cedarburgartistsguild.com/paint-cedarburg
Celebrating 24 years, Plein Air: A Paint Cedarburg Event is the largest gathering of outdoor painters in Wisconsin! Our quaint towns, charming farmlands, Lake Michigan shoreline, and diverse Ozaukee County scenery provide endless artistic inspiration. The week kicks off with Fresh from Cedarburg, a unique painting event held in historic Cedarburg that includes an exhibition and public sale. The 6-day painting event culminates with awards and an exhibition at the Cedarburg Cultural Center.
International Painting Events
Nova Scotia, Canada
PARRSBORO INTERNATIONAL PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: June 18-22
Opening Reception: June 17
Sponsoring Organization: Parrsboro Creative Arts Society
Venue: The Hall
Format: Juried
Award Total: $6500
Contact: Sharrie DeCouto, [email protected], 782-515-9767, pipaf.ca
PIPAF is a juried event located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy where the highest tides in the world have formed our distinctive coastline. Inland hills form a pastoral background to the forests, fields, pastures and waterways — a plein air painter’s dream. Thirty artists are juried into the event. The community is known for the warmth of its hospitality and support for the annual invasion of artists and tourists alike.
SWITZERLAND PLEIN AIR TRIP – PUBLISHER’S INVITATIONAL
Dates: October 10-20
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine
Contact: 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.
Upcoming Deadlines for Artists
- June 30: Paint the Point (Mineral Point, Wisconsin)
- June 30: PleinAir® Salon Monthly Art Competition
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