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, Driftless Area, and Prairie Lakes regions.

Moments of Memory: 2024 MPAC Bell Museum Exhibit

MPAC's second annual exhibit will be held from January 27 to May 26, 2024 at the Bell Museum, the State's official natural history museum on the University of Minnesota's Saint Paul campus. The UMN's natural history museum is well known to plein air painters for its famous collection of dioramas painted by the artist Francis Lee Jaques. The exhibit will last several months and incorporate audience engagement activities including artist-guided tours, a Quick Paint event, Berton Box painting activities, and a public reception.

​Painters who have exhibited in Plein Air Grand Marais, Winter Plein Air Retreat, Red Wing Plein Air, or Prairie Lakes Plein Air are eligible to apply to display up to four (4) paintings created in the qualifying events. 
​Fill out an application for each painting.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: November 12, 2023
Painting Drop-Off: January 17-20, 2024 from 10am-4pm
Exhibit Dates: January 27 – May 26, 2024
Painting Pick-Up: May 28-31, 2024 from 10am-4pm
This exhibit is based upon a natural history theme: Minnesota biomes of the North Shore and BWCA, Driftless Area, and Prairie Lakes regions.

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
Tadas Kosciuska painting at the April 15, 2023 paint-out on the hill at Villa Maria near Frontenac State Park
Painting by Hannah Heyer from the April 15, 2023 paint-out
BYNRIE Irish mandolin ensemble performing at Villa Maria reception
April 15, 2023 paint-out
Heidi Bacon at April 15, 2023 paint-out

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.