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Painters preparing for nocturne painting during 2022 Plein Air Grand Marais.
Outdoor Painters of Minnesota is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit formed to promote and share the practice of outdoor (plein air) painting. We are governed by an all-volunteer board of directors. Our 2025 membership is around 200, and we welcome new members of all backgrounds at every level of experience. OPM strives to coordinate outdoor painting activities, develop opportunities to exhibit together, educate both artists and non-artists in plein air painting, and inspire awareness of the beauty found in nature through painting outdoors.
Email us with questions about OPM and about opportunities to volunteer.
Your contributions directly support our events and exhibit opportunities.
Your $40 calendar-year membership provides access to paint-outs, workshops, exhibits, and events.

News | Workshops | Events

Rosters for some upcoming events are available on OPM's Members Only page. We encourage painters to contact each other for carpooling, painting pickup, and friendship.

Minnesota Legislators lift ban on cadmium and lead in professional artists' materials
June 13, 2025 — A point of light for democratic process glimmered during an otherwise tragic week for Minnesotans. During the special session, the ban on cadmium and lead in professional artists' materials was lifted, and the bill, signed into law 6/12 and effective 6/13/2025, now clarifies that the ban applies to *children's* art materials. Thank you to our local businesses who worked with suppliers and manufacturers, and individual artists who called your elected representatives to advocate for this sensible amendment to the overbroad 2023 law that made it impossible for artists to buy cad yellows, orange, and reds, and lead white in Minnesota. We CAN make a difference! 

Plein Air Duluth is open for registration

Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20, 2025 • Artist socials, paint-outs, a harbor cruise aboard the Vista Queen, a workshop with artist Adam Swanson, and a public reception at the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art • FREE for current members of OPM and students at GLAFA, $25 for all others

Plein Air at Sibley House Historic Site: an introductory workshop with Jack Dant

Sunday, July 27, 2025 • 12:00pm – 4:00pm • Sibley House Historic Site, 1357 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota, MN 55150
OPM is collaborating this summer with the Dakota County Historical Society to organize painting activities at Sibley House Historic Site. Our first activity is an open paint-out on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (see listing under Paint-Outs below). On July 27, 2025, OPM is offering an introductory outdoor painting workshop for artists of any age or experience level to learn basic plein air technique and materials. Instructor Jack Dant is an ideal guide for this role: he is an experienced painter and painting instructor of youth and adults, and he is knowledgeable about the history of plein air painting and painters in Minnesota. This workshop is intended to offer a unique opportunity for the plein air-curious to learn about and experience the challenge and joy of painting from direct observation outdoors in a historic setting with its own history of educating plein air artists in the nineteenth century.

Member Workshop with Mary Pettis in Taylors Falls

Saturday, July 12, 2025 • 9:00am – 12:00pm
Painting demo in the morning at Mary's studio in Taylors Falls followed by pizza for lunch and afternoon paint-out in the neighborhood and by the river.

Register for 2025 Plein Air Grand Marais

**The 2025 Competition Class is full. The Open Class remains open. Competition applicants may be waitlisted for openings in the JHP Exhibit.**

COMPETITION WEEK: September 5-13, 2025
Painting May Begin: August 10, 2025
Competition Exhibit Dates: September 14 – October 5, 2025
Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery
115 W. Wisconsin St.
Grand Marais, MN 55604

Paint-Outs

OPM members and community organizations are invited to contact our paint-out director to schedule paint-outs, which are open to all members and their guests. We try to schedule at locations with accessible parking and access to facilities. Pop-up exhibits and opportunities to sell off-the-easel are occasionally included. Please be welcoming of visitors' questions and consider yourselves ambassadors of OPM and of plein air painting.

Paint-Out at Sibley House Historic Site

OPM is collaborating this summer with the Dakota County Historical Society to organize painting activities at Sibley House Historic Site. The first is a paint-out on June 22 from 12:30-3:30pm, including three of OPM's Berton Box painting pochades for visitors to try outdoor painting or sketching. Any painters may participate and display their work for each other and for visitors in a pop-up reception after finishing. Three volunteers are requested to supervise the Berton Boxes while painting; each will receive a $50 honorarium. All participating artists are asked to sign up so that we can communicate any weather or other factors affecting plans.
Date: June 22, 2025
Time: 12:30-3:30pm
Location: Sibley House Historic Site, ​1357 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota, MN 55150
maps.app.goo.gl/zDmXYrrX166VN911A

​Paint-Out at St Anthony Park Garden Tour

​Invitation to Plein Air Painters to paint on location during June 28, 2025 event
EVENT: St. Anthony Park Garden Tour (sponsored by the St. Anthony Park Garden Club)
DATE: Saturday June 28, 2025
TIME: 10am-3pm - choose a morning or afternoon shift

​DULUTH Summer Plein Air (SPA) 2025 

Hosted by Margie Helstrom and Michelle Wegler
Saturday morning 9:30 (ish) to 12 (ish) all summer long. 

June 14 Lester Park
June 21 Enger Tower
June 28 Brighton Beach

July 5 Bagley Nature (off of St Marie St by UMD)
July 12 Fairlawn Museum Superior WI
July 19 TBD (location will be part of the Plein Air Duluth event)
July 26 Stoney Point (Alseth Rd then turn right)

August 2 Lincoln Park - natural or urban setting
August 9 Chester Park
August 16 Hartley Nature Center
August 23 Leif Erickson Park
August 30 Betty’s Garden Park Point - off 8th St.

Both Margie and Michelle have dates they will not be able to attend and will do our best to let you know who to “look for” on any specific week.
There is a Facebook group - Duluth/Superior Summer Plein Air. Please share your paintings, post an ad hoc invitation of your own, etc.

Want to host a paint-out (or indoor paint-in)?

Contact OPM's paint-out director, Matt Kania, to suggest a good place and time to bring painters together.