MPAC is a collaboration of Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, Red Wing Arts, and Art of the Lakes Association to mount an annual exhibit in different Minnesota venues to showcase paintings created in the organizations' annual plein air events in Grand Marais, Red Wing, and Battle Lake. MPAC seeks to raise awareness of our plein air events and appreciation of our State's dedicated plein air painters through their depiction of landscapes in the North Shore and Boundary Waters, Driftless Area, and Prairie Lakes regions.
2025 MPAC Exhibit at Marshall Area Fine Arts Council
Application Period: October 7-31, 2024
Exhibit Dates: January 21–March 14, 2025
Marshall Area Fine Arts Council
109 N 3rd St # 1
Marshall, MN 56258
Exhibit Dates: January 21–March 14, 2025
Marshall Area Fine Arts Council
109 N 3rd St # 1
Marshall, MN 56258
2024 MPAC Exhibit: Moments of Memory at the Bell Museum
MPAC's second annual exhibit was held at the Bell Museum, Minnesota's official natural history museum, from January to May, 2024. A series of public events during the exhibit invited the public attend educational presentations by participating artists, to try painting and drawing from life, and observe painters demonstrating plein air techniques.
2023 Inaugural MPAC Exhibit at Villa Maria in Frontenac
MPAC's first exhibit was held at Villa Maria, a Gilded Age former Catholic school being renovated as a hotel and event destination. The event included a paint-out in April and reception with live music in May.
Public Reception on May 13, 2023 in the Great Hall at Villa Maria
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Tadas Kosciuska painting at the April 15, 2023 paint-out on the hill at Villa Maria near Frontenac State Park
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Painting by Hannah Heyer from the April 15, 2023 paint-out
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BYNRIE Irish mandolin ensemble performing at Villa Maria reception
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April 15, 2023 paint-out
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Heidi Bacon at April 15, 2023 paint-out
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For Artists: How to Participate
Painters participating in OPM's Plein Air Grand Marais and Winter Plein Air Retreat, Red Wing Plein Air, and Prairie Lakes Plein Air are eligible to apply to display their paintings from the events in MPAC's annual traveling exhibit. Application information will be provided to participants. Exhibit locations will be different each year, and requirements such as jurying or size limits will be subject to arrangements unique to each venue. Questions may be directed to any of the organizers: Greg Finnegan or Allison Eklund at OPM; Shanna Cramer at Art of the Lakes Gallery; and Heather Lawrenz at Red Wing Arts.