Picture
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 2023 membership was about 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 educational workshops and exhibit opportunities.
Your $40 calendar-year membership provides access to paint-outs, workshops, exhibits, and events.

News | Exhibits | Events

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

2024 Plein Air Grand Marais
Competition Week: September 6-14, 2024
Competition Exhibit: September 13 – October 6, 2024
Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery
115 W Wisconsin St 
​Grand Marais, MN 55604

Fall Member Show at FrameWorks Gallery

Exhibit Dates: November 9, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Public Reception: 6-8pm Saturday, *November 16*, 2024 (Reception date changed to avoid conflict with Art Attack)

FrameWorks Gallery and Frame Shop
2022A Ford Pkwy
St Paul, MN 55116

Painting Drop-Off: Thursday and Friday, November 7-8, 10am-6pm
Unsold Painting Pickup: Monday and Tuesday, January 6-7, 2025, 10am-6pm

2024 OPM members are invited to display their favorite plein air painting from 2024 at FrameWorks Gallery for our traditional fall member show. Gallery commission is 40%. Signup is required. Limit is 60.

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.

​Grand Rapids weekly paint out

Summer Plein Air painting each Wednesday morning  9am to 12pm through Oct 30th
Host: Nelia Harper
Join other painters around Grand Rapids if you are in the area, passing through or vacationing Up North.
​
Check the OPM calendar for the different location each week.
For up to date info on the location click the INFO button

​Paint-Out at Lake of the Isles

Paint with Gianna Bari Lassiter
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Location: Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis (south shore)
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

​Paint-Out at Larchill Farm, Northfield

Glynnis Lessing, LARCHILL FARM, host
Date: Sunday, October 13, 2024
Location: Larchill Farm, 31679 Dahomey Ave., Northfield MN
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

2 Day Paint-Out - Sax-Zim Bog & Park Point, Duluth

This is a Saturday Paint-Out, with an optional 2nd day of painting in Duluth on Sunday ...

​Day One: Paint-Out at Sax-Zim Bog with Matt Kania
When: Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9am - 4pm
Location: Sax-Zim Bog, (Welcome Center, near Meadowlands, MN)

Day Two: Paint-Out at Park Point with Matt Kania
When:  Sun, October 20, 9am – 12pm
Location: Park Point Trail Trailhead, Park Point Nature Trail, Duluth, MN

Click the button for more info and to sign up for one or both paint-outs

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.