Plein Air Easton is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States. The annual competition is held in Easton, MD each July. Artists from all over the United States and beyond apply and fifty-eight artists will be juried into the competition by a unique juror each year.  Once selected, competing artists will travel to Talbot County to produce art from life (as opposed to in the studio).

Many of the world's most accomplished artists have Easton at the top of their wish list of competitions and we will continue to set the bar for excellence in the coming year.

Plein Air Easton is just one of many programs operated by the Avalon Foundation. Visit avalonfoundation.org for details on our other important work.

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS

For a full list of our upcoming events, visit our events calendar.

Fri 7/10
THROUGH
Sun 7/19

Plein Air Easton

FREE EVENT

Details will be added here as they become available....

Fri 7/10

Kick-Off Celebration

FREE EVENT

Join us in welcoming the 58 artists who will be spending the week painting all over Talbot County and be sure to view the exhibits of their work at...

Sun 7/12

Paint Oxford

FREE EVENT

An exhibit and sale of works produced in Oxford during this special competition artists paint out.
Location: 200 Oxford Road, Oxford, MD...

Sat 7/18

Quick Draw

FREE EVENT

Watch as nearly 200 artists complete a painting in 2 hours in downtown Easton....

Sun 7/19

Small Painting Sunday

FREE EVENT

Free and Open to the Public....

"

"The biggest [plein air] competition in America is Plein Air Easton."

"
Russell Jewell, Plein Air Easton Alumnus

FEATURED NEWS STORIES

See our news feed for a full list of our articles.

Educational Content

One of the favorite festival offerings for aspiring and seasoned artist attendees alike is our collection of art demonstrations hosted by Plein Air Easton alumni.

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2025 Plein Air Easton Award Winners

At the July 18 Collectors Preview Party, awards judge Peter Trippi announced an impressive slate of honors as 104 paintings found new homes in a whirlwind of enthusiastic sales.

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Plein Air Easton Hall of Fame Inductions

Plein Air Easton’s 2025 Hall of Fame inductees reflect the heart and history of the festival—visionaries, patrons, and artists whose contributions have shaped its legacy.

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Welcome to Plein Air Easton 2025

Plein Air Easton is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States. The annual competition is held in Easton, Maryland, each July.

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Celebrating Excellence: Nominations Open for Hall of Fame Awards

Plein Air Easton, the nation’s premier outdoor painting festival, is now accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame Awards.

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CORPORATE SPONSORS

SPECIAL THANKS

FRIENDS OF PLEIN AIR

VISIONARY

Hali & Scott Asplundh
Bill Nielsen
Abigail Rosenfeld
Town of Easton
Ellen Vatne
Julie & Joe Warin
Bruce Wiltsie & Bill Davenport

BENEFACTOR

Kelly & Brent Asplundh
Lisa & Steven Asplundh
Mary & Richard Emrich
Maxine Millar
Cynthia Rickman & Joel Texter
Terry & Bill Witowsky

PATRON

Robyn & Bill Collins
Sharon & Christopher Haines
Diz Hormel & Ted Vlach
Ellen & Carl MacCartee
Christine & Donald Martin
Stephanie & John McGowan
Rita & Robert Reaves
Cyndi Duvall Simmons
Sharon & Richard Struthers
Beverly & Richard Tilghman

ART LOVER

Susan Able
Virginia & Michael Borner
James Carder & Bruce Thomas
Ellie & Brian Christiansen
Emily Griswold
Mike Hash & Buck Waller
Heather Muir Johnson
Rebecca Jones & Jeff Fuge
Lyn & Andrew McCormick
Helen & Joe Milby
Sarah & Kate Milby
Julie & Richard Smith
Elizabeth & James Underhill

FRIEND

Catherine & Tom Alspach
Jane & Bill Anderson
Barbara & Thomas Bozzuto
Sue & Joe Bredekamp
Steve & Julie Burleson
Julie & Chuck Callahan
Cherie Carroll
Julie Carter & Alfred Mercier
Kimberly & Donald Casson
Naomi Clark-Turner
Philip Davis
D'Ann Rose & Preston Doerflinger
Andrea Fekkes Dynes
Nancy & Herman Espenhorst
Paula & Chris Fenger
Peggy Feuerstein
Olivia & Haroldo Fleischfresser
Hilary & Robert Foley
Katherine Gillespie & Russ Joyce
Rochelle Gunner & Barry Kabalkin
Pam & Jim Harris
Kimberly & John Hasenberg
Julie & Seth Hassett
Nancy & Joe Hollingsworth
Suzanne & John Holtsclaw
Betty & Eddy Huang
Jan & Rick Hynson
Gugy Irving
Mary & Hall Kellogg
Barbara & Robert Landau
Debbie & Tom Lawrence
Lesley & Jim Lee
Roberta Lilly
Annette & Kevin Long
Mary Ellen Mabe
Beverley Martin
Lisa & Charles Martin
Diane & Peter Mayer
Kate & Dan McKew
Cindy & Jeff McWaters
Penelope Cripps & Rob Middleton
Nancy & Greg Minahan
Leslie & Bill Morrison
Gordon O'Brien & Jill DeTemple
The Ravenal Foundation
Nancy & Greg Ridgway
Alzbetka & Joe Robillard
Alice Ryan
Joyce & Ben Schlesinger
Kimberly & Doug Selby
Carol & Alan Sleeper
Lusette & Ed Smith
Julie & Ed Tarbutton
Dana & Jim Vlk
Sharon Waters
Brenda Stone & Dan Watson
Judy & Larry Weaver
Laura Weiss
Margaret Mary McDonough & Greg Zinga

BECOME A FRIEND OF PLEIN AIR

The Friends of Plein Air Easton are a group of active supporters who ensure that Plein Air Easton exists and thrives into the future. Plein Air Easton is not a single event or moment but a ten-day series of meaningful experiences where opportunities to engage, learn, and explore the Eastern Shore's stunning geography, art, and culture abound.

JOIN TODAY