Take advantage of these plein air painting events and opportunities from our 2026 Ultimate Guide to Painting Events and Organizations.
We want to include your plein air painting events! Don’t see your group listed here? Contact our marketing team to learn how to advertise your events and more with Plein Air Today.
March 2026 Painting Events
California
20th ANNUAL BORREGO SPRINGS PLEIN AIR INVITATIONAL
Dates: March 2-7
Opening Reception: March 7
Sponsoring Organization: Borrego Art Institute
Venue: McQuown/Wermers Gallery, Borrego Springs, California
Format: Invitational
Juror of Awards: Natasha Isenhour
Award Total: $3,850
Contact: Kay Levie, [email protected], 619.701.8132, http://borregoartinstitute.org
The 20th Annual Borrego Springs Plein Air Invitational will see 16 invited artists (all slots are filled) competing in a five-day paint-out in the beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert. A Quickdraw competition will be held on March 4. The reception and awards will be held on March 7. Exhibition of work will hang in the gallery until April 26.
Florida
LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER’S 13TH ANNUAL PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: March 1-7
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine
Venue: Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery, Tequesta, Florida
Format: Juried
Award Total: $12,000+
Contact: Serin Leas, [email protected], 561.746.3101, www.lighthousearts.org
One of the premier plein air events in the Southeast, this juried festival brings 30 nationally acclaimed artists to Florida’s scenic Palm Beach and Martin Counties. With turquoise waters, lush parks, and iconic architecture as their backdrop, artists capture the region’s natural beauty in real time. Visitors enjoy live painting, artist demonstrations, and collector-focused events — all held outdoors during Florida’s most beautiful season. Original works are available for purchase throughout the weeklong celebration.
FORGOTTEN COAST EN PLEIN AIR
Dates: March 20 – 29
Opening Reception Date: March 20
Sponsoring Organization: Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition
Venue: The Joe Center for the Arts, Port St. Joe, Florida
Format: Invitational
Contact: Denise Rose, 800.378.8419, [email protected], www.forgottencoastenpleinair.com
Celebrating 21 years of documenting authentic “Old Florida,” Forgotten Coast en Plein Air features 19 of the most accomplished international artists and four “Florida Finest en Plein Air” painters who are honored Plein Air Ambassadors. Enjoy plein air exhibits, expansive Wet Room, QuickDraw Competition open to all artists, demonstrations, receptions, workshops, painting stations (one-on-one plein air painting instruction), and VIP Collectors’ Events.
Louisiana
TECHE PLEIN AIR
Dates: March 7-14
Reception Date: March 13
Sponsoring Organization: The City of New Iberia
Venue: Sliman Theatre, New Iberia, Louisiana
Format: Juried
Juror of Awards: Charlie Hunter
Award Total: $12,000
Contact: Lanie or Hilary, [email protected], 337.369.2300, cityofnewiberia.com/pleinair
The City of New Iberia is presenting its 12th annual plein air competition. The selected juror, Charlie Hunter, will award cash prizes at closing reception and auction. Enjoy a region enhanced by architecture, moss-draped live oaks, and sugar cane fields along the Bayou Teche. Stroll Historic Downtown; Konriko, the oldest operating rice mill in America; Shadows-on-the-Teche Plantation Home; exotic gardens; Avery Island, birthplace of Tabasco; excellent food; original music; and hospitable residents.
Online Art Events
ACRYLIC LIVE
Dates: March 25-27
Sponsoring Organization: PleinAir Magazine
Contact: PleinAir Magazine, 561.655.8778 or 800.610.5771, acryliclive.com
Want to learn acrylics or level up fast? Acrylic Live is a 3-day online event for acrylic artists and anyone ready to become one. Watch 25+ leading artists demo, join live Q&As, paint together, and more. Need a refresher? Add the optional Essential Techniques Day. This event is 100% virtual, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.
March Deadlines for Artists
- March 6: OPA 35th National Juried Exhibition (Steamboat Springs, Colorado): www.oilpaintersofamerica.com
- March 9: The Rolling Hills of Texas Paintout (Round Top, Texas): www.studiotexas.org
- March 27: Plein Air Glacier (Kalispell, Montana): www.glacierartmuseum.org
- March 31: Driggs Plein Air Festival (Driggs, Idaho): www.downtowndriggs.org
- Next monthly deadline coming soon: PleinAir Salon Art Competition
Discover even more painting events when you sign up here for the Plein Air Today newsletter!
