Outdoor Painters of Minnesota

2026 Memberships

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Who
we are

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, with a membership of over 200 artists. We welcome new members of all backgrounds, at every level of experience, from Minnesota and beyond. 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.

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Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events
Member Show at Frameworks Ends
Jan 3
Member Show at Frameworks Ends

OPM's annual member show at Frameworks Gallery in St. Paul runs November 8, 2025 - January 3, 2026.

First Monday Shop Talk on Zoom: Guest Host Joshua Cunningham
Jan 5
First Monday Shop Talk on Zoom: Guest Host Joshua Cunningham

Artist Joshua Cunningham guest-hosts our online “First Monday Shop Talk” with OPM members around the state (and country).

Expert Panel - The Artist’s Journey: Cultivating Success Without Sacrificing Authenticity
Jan 10
Expert Panel - The Artist’s Journey: Cultivating Success Without Sacrificing Authenticity

Join us for the panel discussion of a lifetime! World-renowned painters Joe Paquet, Mary Pettis, and Steven Levin will share a lively chat about what it looks like to build a successful artist life and career, while also staying true to one’s self and art.

Third Thursday Shop Talk on Zoom: Commissions
Jan 15
Third Thursday Shop Talk on Zoom: Commissions

Monthly informal online “Shop Talk” with other OPM members around the state (and country). This session’s guiding topic will focus on the ins and outs of painting commissions.

Art Shanty Projects Day 1
Jan 17
Art Shanty Projects Day 1

OPM invites winter plein air painters to come out and paint during the annual Art Shanty Projects on-ice festival at Lake Harriet.

Art Shanty Projects Day 2
Jan 25
Art Shanty Projects Day 2

OPM invites winter plein air painters to come out and paint during the annual Art Shanty Projects on-ice festival at Lake Harriet.

MPAC 2026 Registration Deadline
Feb 1
MPAC 2026 Registration Deadline

The deadline to register for the 2026 Minnesota Plein Air Collective exhibition at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum is February 1!

Winter Plein Air Retreat
Feb 22
Winter Plein Air Retreat

Join us at the YMCA’s Camp Menogyn for the beloved week of winter painting, February 22 - 27, 2026.

Don’t Forget…

MPAC 2026 at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum

Deadline to apply:
February 1, 2026

The Minnesota Plein Air Collective (MPAC) is a collaboration between the nonprofit organizers of Minnesota's three premier plein air painting competitions in Battle Lake (Art of the Lakes), Grand Marais (Outdoor Painters of Minnesota), and Red Wing (Red Wing Arts). MPAC has teamed up to promote painting events and artists by mounting an annual exhibition of plein air paintings in different locations around Minnesota.

Our 2026 exhibit will be at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
​Exhibition Dates: May 16 - September 13, 2026

Info and Sign-Up

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