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.
News | Exhibits | 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.
MinnPost: 2023 Ban on Cadmium and Lead in Fine Art Materials has Artists "Seeing Red"
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Many of OPM's members are professional painters and educators who use traditional fine art materials comprised of cadmium and lead at levels now banned under a new statute, Minn. Stat. § 325E.3892, passed under the radar in 2023. Wet Paint, Blick, Art Materials, Michael's, and other brick-and-mortar art supply stores have had to remove cadmium yellows, oranges and reds and lead white from their shelves. Artists shopping online will find their orders unfulfilled due to the ban on the sale and distribution of art supplies with cadmium and lead in Minnesota.
While alternatives exist, these traditional pigments cannot be reproduced to achieve the effects sought by painters for centuries. Painters like Joe Paquet of Saint Paul have built their careers and reputation on skills using cadmium and lead pigments at a level that require decades of experience to perfect. To support a growing chorus of voices requesting an amendment to the new statute, contact your local representative and senator. Specific language and a suggestion for a narrow fix to limit the ban only to children's craft, jewelry making and art supplies can be found here. |
Member Workshop with Mary Pettis in Taylors Falls
Register for 2025 Plein Air Grand Marais
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**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 Bryant Lake Regional Park
Paint-Out with Mary Ann Cleary - Cambridge MN
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.