Upcoming Deadlines for Plein Air Events
Plenty of Opportunities for Plein Air Painters Across the Country
Be sure to check out the approaching deadlines for a Plein Air event near you:
Plein Air events can be a lot of fun–for painters and art lovers. Some events are small, others are attended by hundreds of intrepid artists braving wind, weather, bugs, and curious bystanders.
In some cases painters may apply close to the event–but often the deadlines are months earlier. If you have a specific Plein Air event you are interested in applying for, be sure to check out the deadlines well ahead of time.
Whether you want to meet other plein air artists in your area, travel to a different part of the country or the world to paint something new, or connect with collectors, a plein air event may be the perfect venue for you.
Listed below are several events with application deadlines in March and April, listed by deadline date.
Paint the Peninsula
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
Entry Deadline: March 31, 2016
Event Dates: August 21-28, 2016
Summary: From sailboats to harbors to vintage working farms, from rainforest waterfalls to villages and cityscapes, the varied and beautiful locations of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State have it all to paint. Now in its fourth year, artists and collectors alike rave about the ultimate Pacific Northwest experience. Paint the Peninsula is at the entrance to Olympic National Park, giving artists access to amazing opportunities from the sea to the mountains.
For More Information: PaintThePeninsula.org
Paint Snow Hill
Location: Snow Hill, Maryland
Entry Deadline: March 31, 2016
Event Dates: April 14-17, 2016
Summary: Snow Hill, Maryland, a lovely historic town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, will host the 13th Annual Paint Snow Hill event. This is the first plein air event on the Eastern Shore. It is a non-juried, non-competitive paint-out. Registration is open to 70 artists.
For More Information: Facebook.com/PaintSnowHill
Plein Air Richmond
Location: Richmond, VA
Entry Deadline: March 31, 2016
Event Dates: June 19-26, 2016
Summary: Join us for Paint the Town in the 4th Plein Air Richmond Juried Event. This year the event will benefit the animals cared for by the Richmond SPCA. With 2 lovely botanical gardens, large neighborhoods with historic architecture and a view of the James River, this is not a painting event to miss.
For More Information: BrazierGallery.com
In Plein Sight
Location: Golden, Colorado
Entry Deadline: April 1, 2016
Event Dates: October 4-9, 2016
Summary: PLAN Jeffco has helped protect more than 55,000 acres of open-space for Colorado. In Plein Sight is a week long plein air painting event to celebrate these efforts.
For More Information: PLANJeffCo.org
Paint & Photo Tarpon Springs, Florida
Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Entry Deadline: April 1, 2016
Event Dates: April 12-16, 2016
Summary: Paint or photograph the Gulf Coast city of Tarpon Springs. Open to all artists, there is a $35 to register. $2400 in prize money available. Works will be on display for one week following the April 16 reception.
For More Information: TarponSpringsPleinAir.com
Solomons Plein Air Festival
Location: Solomons, Maryland
Entry Deadline: April 1, 2016
Event Dates: September 12-18, 2016
Summary: Offering diversity in subject matter, historic fishing village is a picturesque mix of work boats, pleasure boats, marinas, cottages, farmland, historic waterfront. Artists rave about the social events and warm receoption they receive from the town. Over $11,000 in cash awards were given in 2015.
For More Information: SolomonsPleinAir.com
Plein Air Grand Marais
Location: Grand Marais, Minnesota
Entry Deadline: April 8, 2016
Event Dates: September 8-15, 2016
Summary: Perched on the North Shore of Lake Superior, the quaint fishing village of Grand Marais features expansive Lake Superior vistas, old-growth pine forests, a jagged basalt shoreline. 60 artists are invited and juried into the competition which features a quick paint, multiple networking opportunities, and informal paint-outs in various locations around the county. The exhibition will run through November 13.
For More Information: GrandMaraisArt Colony.org
Plein Air Painters of Central PA
Location: Belleville, PA
Entry Deadline: April 14, 2016
Event Dates: May 9-14, 2016
Summary: Our mission is to welcome artists of all levels and mediums to experience and explore the joys of painting on location in Central PA. The annual festive event includes fine food, art, and live music. It is free and open to the public. It is fast becoming a popular gathering for artists to share their fine art with collectors of landscape paintings..
For More Information: SNicholasArt.com
6th Annual Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Entry Deadline: April 15, 2016
Event Dates: April 29-May 13, 2016
Summary: Create an original plein air painting or drawing of any location within the Village of Schaumburg. Works will be exhibited through June 30. This event is open to all plein air artists.
For More Information: PrairieCenter.org
Piedmont Plein Air Paintout
Location: High Point, North Carolina
Entry Deadline: April 28, 2016
Event Dates: September 15-18, 2016
Summary: Join us for the 3rd annual Piedmont Plein Air Paintout and enjoy the Southern hospitality and unique piedmont triad setting of High Point, North Carolina. The even features over 30 nationally and internationally known plein air artists ead year. Housing is provided for participating artists in our host historic in. Over $6,000 in prizes are awarded. Proceeds benefit children’s art programming in the community.
For More Information: PiedmontPaintout.com
Chestnut Hill Plein Air Art Competition
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Entry Deadline: April 29, 2016
Event Dates: June 5, 2016
Summary: This is the 2nd annual plein air competition in Chestnuthill. Selected artists will show works along Germantown Ave and have the chance to win cash prizes and space at the 32nd Annual Fall for the Arts Festival in October.
For More Information: ChestnuthillPA.com
Paint It! Ellicott City
Location: Ellicott City, Maryland
Entry Deadline: April 29, 2016
Event Dates: July 7-11, 2016
Summary: Quirky architecture, steep hillsides, a beautiful river, historic landmarks…Ellicott City has a trove of paintable treasures. This is a 3 day paint-out. There will also be a quick-draw competition on July 9. Works to be exhibited through August 18.
For More Information: HoCoArts.org
Thanks to Plein Air magazine for letting us know about these events.
