Plein Air Easton is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States, held annually in July in Easton, Maryland. Artists from across the country and around the world apply for the chance to be among the 58 juried artists selected by a distinguished juror each year. Those chosen will travel to Talbot County to create art from life—capturing the beauty of the outdoors rather than working in a studio.

Plein Air Easton is just one of many programs operated by the Avalon Foundation. Visit avalonfoundation.org to learn more about our other important work.

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Sun 7/12

Paint Oxford

FREE EVENT

Just a short trip from Easton, the historic town of Oxford offers a picture-perfect setting for a full day of creativity and coastal charm....

Sat 7/18

Quick Draw

FREE EVENT

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

Sat 7/18

Quick Draw Registration - 2026

Register NOW for the 2026 Quick Draw Competition, a thrilling and fun event where anyone can paint or draw outdoors in downtown Easton....

Sun 7/19

Small Painting Sunday

FREE EVENT

Free and Open to the Public....

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"What a great event - I am still reeling in the glow."

"
John Eiseman, Plein Air Easton Alumnus

FEATURED NEWS STORIES

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

Forever the Forest

While Plein Air Easton is celebrated for its sunlit waterfronts, charming streetscapes, and vibrant summer landscapes, one exhibition offers visitors a chance to step into a cooler, quieter world.

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Everything You Need to Know

Each July, bucolic Talbot County transforms into a living canvas for one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals: Plein Air Easton.

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Calling the Next Generation of Artists

If you’ve got a young artist in your life, summer is the perfect time to nurture that creativity—and there’s no better place to do it than at the Plein Air Easton Summer Camps.

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Juror Reveal for the 2026 Competition

Easton, MD — Plein Air Easton (PAE) is thrilled to announce the juror and judge for the 22nd Annual Plein Air Easton Festival and Outdoor Art Competition, taking place July 10–19, 2026 in Easton, M

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CORPORATE SPONSORS

SPECIAL THANKS

FRIENDS OF PLEIN AIR

VISIONARY

Kelly & Brent Asplundh
Lisa & Steven Asplundh
Hali Asplundh
Abigail Rosenfeld
Ellen Vatne
Bruce Wiltse & Bill Davenport

BENEFACTOR

Cynthia Rickman
Terry & Bill Witowsky

PATRON

Elizabeth and Greg Feldman
Heather Muir Johnson
Ellen & Carl MacCartee
Christine & Donald Martin
Stephanie & John McGowan
Michel Modell
Jeff Myers
Kelly & Larry Pezor
Rita & Robert Reaves
Beverly & Richard Tilghman
Sharon Waters

ART LOVER

Virginia & Michael Borner
Ellie & Brian Christiansen
Robyn & Bill Collins
Ellen & Mike DiMayo
Mary & Richard Emrich
Marjory Hardy
Suzanne & John Holtsclaw
Kimberly Humphries
Helen & Joe Milby
Sarah & Kate Milby
Nancy & Greg Minahan
Pat & Ken Rogers
Julie Smith
Sandaway Suites & Beach

FRIEND

Susan Able
Donna & James Alpi
Elizabeth Anderson
Lorraine Bibby
Barbara & Thomas Bozzuto
Sue & Joe Bredekamp
Sara Chase Carlson
Kimberly & Donald Casson
The Cohen Family
Kae & Don Dakin
Philip Davis
Joyce & Steven Doehler
Colleen Doremus
Andrea Fekkes Dynes
Nancy & Herman Espenhorst
Summer Parrish & Lee Fantone
Paula & Chris Fenger
Peggy Feuerstein
Olivia & Haroldo Fleischfresser
Hilary & Robert Foley
Megan & James Foo
Sharon & Christopher Haines
Laura & Kevin Hardy
Kimberly & John Hasenberg
Buck Waller & Michael Hash
Nancy & Joe Hollingsworth
Betty Huang, Studio B Art Gallery
Carolyne Hyde
Jan & Rick Hynson
G.A. Irving III
David Jefferys & Ron Hayes
Deidre Johnson
Mary & Hall Kellogg
Hughlett Kirby
Debbie & Thomas Lawrence
Gerri & Steve Leder
Roberta Lilly
Lisa Locher & Peter Repetti
Maryellyn Lynott
Timothy Macijeski
Diane & Peter Mayer
Catherine Murphy & Bryan McGrath
Kate & Dan McKew
Emily & Ned McNeely
Amy & Marc Meadows
Julie Campbell & Alfred Mercier
Catherine Murphy
Susan & Paul Oberreither
Jill DeTemple & Gordon O’Brien
Marina Orcutt & Erin O'Flaherty
Summer Parrish & Lee Fantone
MaryLou & Joseph Peters
Louise Peterson
Debbie & Mike Potter
Denise Grant & Frank Raines
Nancy & Mike Ridgway
Sharon & Stephen Robinson
Suzanne & Peter Sagona
Joyce & Ben Schlesinger
Kimberly & Doug Selby
Kate Latimer & Rick Slaten
Carol & Alan Sleeper
Andy & Ed Smith
Anne & William Smith
James Carder & Bruce Thomas
Nanny Trippe
Janice & Robert Vitale
Dana & James Vlk
Claire Voorhees - Chevy Chase Trust Investment Advisors
Brenda Stone & Dan Watson
Judy & Larry Weaver
Laura G. Weiss
Elizabeth & Greg Wiedemann
Caroline & James Wohlgemuth

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