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, Maryland.

This year’s juror is acclaimed artist Mark Boedges, whose work has earned national recognition for its luminous landscapes and masterful plein air technique, studied Fine Art at the University of Colorado before leaving academia to pursue painting directly from nature. His dedication to plein air painting evolved into a studio practice focused on expansive Western landscapes and the exploration of light as a spiritual and expressive element.

Boedges’ impressive accolades include Best in Show at the American Impressionist Society, Wayne Plein Air, Door County Plein Air, and Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art. He has also received the Artists’ Choice Award at Plein Air Easton, the Joseph Hartley Memorial Award at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, and numerous other honors. His work has been featured in International Artist magazine and recognized with the Artistic Excellence Award by Southwest Art.

As juror, Mark Boedges will select 52 artists to compete in Easton this July, with six additional artists invited based on top-tier awards from the 2025 competition. He will return as judge for the 2027 event. Mary Morton, Curator and Head of French Paintings at the National Gallery of Art since 2010, will evaluate the full collection of competition artwork and present awards during the Collector’s Preview Party on July 17, 2026, followed by the popular Judge’s Talk on July 19, where she will share insights into her selections.

Applications Now Open

Applications for the 22nd Annual Plein Air Easton competition are being accepted through January 16, 2026 via OnlineJuriedShows.com. Selected artists will be announced on February 6, 2026 at PleinAirEaston.com.

Judging and Jurying Process

Plein Air Easton maintains a rigorous and transparent selection process:

• Submission Review: Artists nationwide submit work online beginning in December; submissions close mid-January.
• Initial Selection: The juror selects 52 artists to compete on-site. Six award-winning artists from the prior year receive automatic invitations.
• Competition Requirements: Artists complete two plein air paintings and one 6x8 piece during the festival week, with final submissions due July 16, 2026.
• Final Judging: Esteemed judge Mary Morton will evaluate works based on composition, execution, creativity, and adherence to plein air principles.
• Awards Announcement: Winners will be revealed at the Collector’s Preview Party on July 17, 2026, with works available for purchase through July 19, 2026.

Event Highlights

• Dates: July 10–19, 2026
• Location: Easton, Maryland
• Juror: Mark Boedges
• Judge: Mary Morton

Join us for the 22nd Annual Plein Air Easton, where artistic excellence and community spirit converge. For details and the full schedule, explore the website.