Evanston Plein Air Paint Outs

Paint Outs are “quick paint” competitions for competing plein air painters! Watch painters work during the painting time. Join us for award ceremonies at the end of the day. See below for times and locations across Evanston, free to attend, RSVP here. 

Monday, July 15

• Painting Area: Church & Dodge, Judge: Mark Cleveland
• Painting time: 12-5p 
• Award Ceremony: C&W Market and Ice Cream, 1901 Church St., 6-7p
• Award Time: 6:30p

Tuesday, July 16 

• Painting Area: Downtown Evanston, Judges: Darren Oberto and Ross Martens
• Painting time: 12 - 5p 
• Award Ceremony: Alley Gallery, 1712 Rear 2, Sherman Ave., 6-7p
• Award Time: 6:30p

Wednesday, July 17 

• Painting Area: Arrington Pond, Judges: Matt Puchalski and Katherine Gotsick
• Painting time: 8a - 12p
• Award Ceremony: CoCo Design & Build, 602 Dempster St., 5-6p
• Award Time: 5:30p
• After Party: Artist Reception for Mark Cleveland and Nina Weiss, Plein Air Exhibit, POUR Evanston, 528 Dempster St., 6-8p

Thursday, July 18 

• Painting Area: Central Street by Independence Park, Judge: Laurie Kennard, Exec. Director PAPC
• Painting time: 11a - 3p 
• Awards Ceremony: DeSalvo’s Pizza, 1945 Central St., 3-4p 
• Award Time: 3:30p

Friday, July 19 (Paint Out & Member Mixer)

• Painting Area: Noyes Street, Judge: Nina Weiss 
• Painting time: 8a - 12p 
• Award Ceremony: Sarah Kaiser Artist Studio, 927 Noyes St., 6-8p
• Award Time: 7p

Evanston Plein Air Festival Events, July 12-24, to receive event updates

Friday, July 12 - Main Dempster Mile hosts the Plein Air Festival Kick Off Block Party! Pick up the festival map, meet the competing artists, see live art demonstrations, shop for plein air art, enjoy live music and delicious drinks and bites! 5:30-7:30p, INFO

Saturday, July 13- Workshop with Mark Cleveland. 

Artist talk and instruction: learn the basic techniques to start painting outside or “en plein air”. Artist and founder of the Evanston Plein Air Festival Mark Cleveland. 9 – 11:30 a. Sign up at Evanston Park District Here

Monday, 7/15- Class with Thomas Trausch

The day will begin with a demonstration and all media are welcome. If you have wanted to paint “en plein air” or have limited experience in doing so, we can go over supplies and answer any specific questions. Workshop hosted at the Evanston Lighthouse, $110. Register HERE. 

Monday, 7/15-Friday, 7/19- Paint Outs

Paint Outs are “quick paint” competitions for registered artists, inviting the public to meet plein air painters and gather for awards ceremonies. A Map of all Paint Out locations will be provided to artists upon check-in and available online for the public!

 Wednesday, July 17 - Plein Air Judges Exhibit Opening Party

The exhibit includes examples of plein air and studio work from our judges;  award winning artists and educators Nina Weiss and Tom Trausch joined by Festival Founder Mark Cleveland. POUR, 528 Dempster St., 6-8p

Saturday, July 20 - Painting Demonstrations 

See artists Mark Cleveland (oil), Claire Tarnaki (acrylic) and Maria Delton (watercolor) work in plein air. Fountain Square in Downtown Evanston, FREE, 9-11a

Sunday, July 21, Plein Air Festival Grand Finale

Join us for an afternoon of art, awards and an Outdoor Art Market where artists will sell their work “off the easel”. Enjoy food and drink vendors and family-friendly activities hosted by Downtown Evanston and festival partners. Free for all to attend.

Plein Air Festival competing artists will submit one work for judging. 

View submitted art and vote Festival Favorite, 12-3p

Festival Award Ceremony: 3:30p.

Hosted at Rotary International, Downtown Evanston, 1560 Sherman Ave., 12-4p

This festival is made possible by the following festival sponsors; Blick Evanston, Central Street, The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University, Masterpiece Framing & Imaging, Neighborhood and Community Relations at Northwestern University, Romano Wealth Management, Downtown Evanston, The Brown Team, Hagerty Consulting, The Main Dempster Mile, Rotary International

Artist prizes provided in part by the following sponsors:  Alley Gallery, Blick Evanston, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Golden Paints, Guerilla Painter. Judson Plein Air Outfitters, and Festival Founder-Mark Cleveland

About Evanston Made

Evanston Made is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization with the mission to connect Evanston creatives to the public through programming and events. Learn more at evanstonmade.org and consider making a donation of any amount to support programs that drive our mission.

For additional information, please contact Lisa Degliatoni, Executive Director of Evanston Made at [email protected] or (847)544-8205.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Evanston, United States