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 2022 membership is almost 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

2023 Winter Plein Air Exhibit

Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery
115 West Wisconsin St
Grand Marais, MN 55604
(218) 387-2314

Exhibit: March 10 – April 2, 2023
Open Hours: 10-4 Wed-Sat, 1-4 Sun

MPAC Inaugural Exhibit & Sale of Paintings with Villa Tours at Villa Maria in Frontenac

29847 County 2 Blvd
​Frontenac, MN 55026
OPM has teamed up with Red Wing Arts and Art of the Lakes to promote our annual plein air events in a combined spring exhibit of paintings.

Our inaugural exhibit will be hosted by Villa Maria in Frontenac, Minnesota, near Red Wing. We will install the exhibit on March 25 and enjoy a paint-out on April 15, with pop-up reception and sale of fresh paintings and a preview of the show. Our main event starts at 1:00pm on May 13, 2023, with a reception, painting sale, and tours of the villas. Join us and learn more about MPAC's mission to exhibit paintings throughout Minnesota from each of our premier plein air events!
Important Dates: 
March 25, 2023: Installation at the Villa Maria
April 15, 2023: Paint-Out and Preview Event
May 13, 2023: Public Reception/Sale & Villa Tours

2023 Art Materials Scholarships
Nominations by art teachers, instructors or mentors are open! OPM and Wet Paint are teaming up again to offer Art Materials Scholarships for high school seniors interested in plein air painting, each including a gift card for art supplies at Wet Paint plus art materials contributed by suppliers. Winners will be announced in April.

Special thanks to our partner and sponsor, Wet Paint Art Materials & Framing in St. Paul, for helping create this opportunity for young artists.
2022 Scholarship Winners with OPM board members at Wet Paint for presentation on April 2, 2022