Exhibits of OPM Members’ Paintings

Intentional Attentions
Kelly Schamberger

Dates: May 29 - September 7
Location: Great Lakes Aquarium - Merrill Lynch Fine Art Gallery, 353 Harbor Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55802

In this most recent collection of oil and gouache landscape paintings, Kelly Schamberger is in pursuit of an anchored focus: the calming and grounding beauty found in the natural environment of Minnesota’s North Shore. Visitors to the gallery do not need to pay aquarium admission if just viewing the artwork.

More information available at: https://www.kellyschamberger.com/intentional-attentions

Red Wing Arts PLein Air Exhibit

Dates:‍ ‍June 20 - August 23
Location: Red Wing Arts Depot Gallery & Shop, 418 Levee St, Red Wing, MN 55066

Red Wing Arts celebrates our 20th annual event in 2026, bringing artists to our community from around the region to paint “recognizable” Red Wing en Plein Air. Meaning approximately “open air” in French, Plein Air is a study of how light and shadow interact with things, creating a snapshot of one moment in time that can never be repeated. Red Wing sits at the entrance to the Driftless Region. We are a stunning place with a charming downtown, dramatic bluffs, rolling hills, vistas and winding rivers that define our historic town. Our exhibit includes over 100 works that are judged and hung in our Depot Gallery.

More Information: Visit https://redwingarts.org/red-wing-arts-plein-air

From Great to Grand
Colleen Shore

Dates: August 12 - September 27
Location: Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W. 2nd Street, Winona, MN 55987

Public Reception: Friday, August 14, 5:30pm-8pm

Viewing Hours: Wednesday - Friday, 7am-2pm, Weekends - 8am-2pm

The show honors Colleen’s artistic endeavor to capture views along the Great River Road and Grand Marais through paintings. Her paintings feature North Shore subjects as well as works inspired by her cruises through Mississippi River towns from Lansing, Iowa to Winona, MN. Visit Colleen Shore’s website for more information.

Special Events

Diane Foster ART Open Studio

Dates: July 11 and 12
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: N7331 910th Street, River Falls, WI 54022

More info about Diane at: www.dianefosterart.com

Bridget Ertelt Open Studio
Northrup King Building “Summer Sizzle”

Date: August 15
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: The Northrup King Building, Studio #244, 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis

More info about Bridget at: https://www.bridgetertelt.com/

Plein Air Week at Mallard Island

Dates: August 9-15
Cost: $450 per person for the week
Contact: Mark Granlund - mark@markgranlund.com

Mallard Island is an ideal location for plein air painting with beautiful Northern Minnesota scenery, a rustic retreat center, unique historic buildings, and rugged landscape. Nestled amongst the Review Islands, 11 miles east of International Falls, the isolated retreat has minimal accommodations (outhouses, no running water, no wifi, rocky pathways, etc.), creating a beautiful place to focus solely on art.

This opportunity is limited to 10 painters. Participants bring their own food, with shared communal dinners each evening. After dinner, we gather for casual conversations about the history of the islands, their previous owner, environmentalist Ernest Oberholtzer, and a review of art created during the day.

In the fall, dates TBD, there will be an exhibit of works from the week at the Everett and Charlie Gallery in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis.

To learn more about Mallard Island and the Oberholtzer Foundation, check out eober.org

Call for Art & Competitions

2026 Prairie Lakes Plein Air

Dates:‍ ‍
Applications now open!
June 20 - Opening Day and Packet Pick-Up
June 20 to September 24 - Plein Air Artwork Creation
September 25, 6-8 pm - Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony
September 26 - Quick Paint
September 26 to October 24 - Competition Exhibition and Sale
Location: Art of the Lakes, 108 Lake Ave, Battle Lake, MN 56515

The Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series is a festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to professional and non-professional artists of all skill levels. Enjoy your summer painting in the idyllic setting of Otter Tail County, situated in West-Central Minnesota lakes country. Delve into the pristine landscape of gently rolling hills and fertile farmland amongst clear blue lakes and streams for an inspirational painting experience.

Artists and collectors will enjoy many activities, including the Opening Day, Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint competition. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of Plein Air motifs and styles of artwork.

More Information: Visit https://www.artofthelakes.org/prairie-lakes-plein-air-2026.html