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.
News | Exhibits | Events
Registration is Open for 2024 Plein Air Grand Marais
Apply now to participate in 2024 Plein Air Grand Marais!
Artists of all experience levels are welcome. The Competition Class is intended for experienced painters who commit to submit 4 framed paintings for the Competition Exhibit displayed at Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery (JHP) from the final reception on Friday, September 13 to Sunday, October 6, 2024. The Open Class is intended for learning painters who may want to spend more time taking workshops. They may submit one painting for the Wednesday evening Open Class pop-up exhibit and awards reception. All registered participants and their guests may attend artist socials, workshops, presentations and receptions. Join us in Grand Marais in September! |
Competition Week: September 6-14, 2024
Competition Exhibit: September 13 – October 6, 2024 Registration Deadline: May 1, 2024 Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery 115 W. Wisconsin St Grand Marais, MN |
Moments of Memory: 2024 MPAC Exhibit at the Bell Museum
The Minnesota Plein Air Collective's second annual exhibit will be held from January 27 to May 26, 2024 at the Bell Museum, the State's official natural history museum on the University of Minnesota's Saint Paul campus. The Bell is well known to plein air painters for its famous collection of dioramas painted by the artist Francis Lee Jaques. The exhibit will last several months and incorporate audience engagement activities including artist-guided tours, a Quick Paint event, Berton Box painting activities, and a public reception. Participating artists and volunteers receive free admission to the museum during MPAC exhibit related activities/events.
Opening Event: Paint-Out/Paint-In on Saturday, January 27, 2024 • 10am-2pm Exhibit Tour with Bob Upton: Saturday, February 10 • 1:30-3:00pm Public Reception & Exhibit Tour with Fred Somers: Saturday, March 16 • 1:30-4:00pm Exhibit Tour with Kami Mendlik: Friday, April 5 • 1:30-3:00pm Quick Paint: Saturday, May 11 • 10am–2pm, with set up outside at 10am, Quick Paint from 10:30a-12p |
Paint-in and Berton Box activities at the opening of MPAC's Moments of Memory exhibit at the Bell Museum on January 27, 2024
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2024 Plein Air Duluth
Dates: Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21, 2024
Cost: Free for 2024 OPM members and students enrolled at the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art. $25 for all others. Plein Air Duluth is a non-competitive weekend event including paint-outs and artist socials, with a Sunday workshop and public reception at the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art for display of the paintings created. This year on Saturday we'll have an all-day paint-out centered at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, which offers to display our paintings in a special exhibit through August. John Salminen, AWS, eminent watercolor painter who lives in Duluth, has agreed to be our workshop instructor on Sunday morning at GLAFA. Separate workshop registration is required. |
Registration Form Links:
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Paint-Outs
Paint-Out at Rice Creek Regional Park, Shoreview
Paint with Cheryl Leclair-Sommer
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024 Location: Rice Creek Regional Park (5959 Lexington Ave N., Shoreview) Time: 9:00 am – Noon, Paint Out |
Paint-Out at Gervais Mill Park, Little Canada
Paint with Matt Kania
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024 Location: Gervais Mill Park, Little Canada (on Noel Drive – see map) Time: 9:00 am – Noon, Paint Out |
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.