Organized by:

Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) in collaboration with the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery (JHP) and Cook County Historical Society (CCHS)

2026 Rules

General for All Artists (Open & Competition)

• Registration Fee

  • $45 non-refundable registration covers participation in Open Class or Competition Exhibit Division.

  • Birney Quick Paint and Harbor Park Off-the-Easel Sale events are open to all registered artists.

• Plein Air Requirement

  • 100% original work created en plein air in Cook County, Minnesota between August 9 and September 18, 2026. No photo references allowed.

  • Paintings created inside workshops are ineligible for award contention.

• In-Situ Photo Verification

  • Panels are not stamped. Artists must take an in-situ photo of each completed painting on location in Cook County to verify eligibility.

  • Best in-situ photos will be printed and displayed in the JHP exhibit.

• Commissions & Sales

  • A 30% commission applies to all painting sales during event week.

  • Competition Exhibit Division - Sales go through JHP Gallery. Please direct patrons to the gallery for purchase (provide with painting price and information if sold before the exhibit).

  • Open Class Division - Sales are managed directly by the artist or via OPM (remit 30% to OPM).

Competition Exhibit Division

• Submission

  • Submit 4 primary paintings to JHP Gallery for exhibition hanging and jurying. You may submit up to 2 additional reserve paintings to replace sold works.

  • Online submission of painting info, photos, and in-situ photos are due Thursday, September 17 by 7pm. No exceptions.

  • Complete and sign artist agreement online → Click Here

  • Fill out painting label form and end-of-exhibit retrieval plan at gallery drop-off.

• Size Restrictions

  • Maximum surface size 16”x20" unframed, maximum of 28" wide or tall framed.

  • Limit max-sized paintings to two per artist due to wall space constraints. Standard sizes (8”×10" to 14”x18") are preferred.

• Framing and Hanging

  • Artwork must be framed or gallery-wrapped with finished edges, and securely wired for hanging.

  • Each artist is assigned one vertical rod in JHP Gallery (arranged alphabetically). Leave paintings at your assigned rod; gallery staff and their selected volunteers hang all art.

• Gallery Payment for Painting Sales

  • JHP Gallery has transitioned to direct deposit through a payment processor software called Melio, as the primary method for artist payouts to provide income sooner. Payouts will be processed at the beginning of the month following a sale, and expected within 3-5 business days.

  • Please choose one of these methods to share your deposit information:

    • Fill out a printed form at the gallery that will be shredded after information is entered.

    • Fill out online via Jotform → Click Here

    • Wait until payments are ready to be processed. You will receive an email from Melio with a link to enter your information directly. This is the most secure option, but will require extra processing time for the first payout.

  • Direct deposit is optional. Please let the gallery know if you would like to receive a paper check. If no direct deposit information has been received after 2 weeks following the beginning of the month after a sale, a paper check will be sent out instead. Direct deposit information will only need to be set up once for any future exhibitions or gift shop sales.

• Retrieval

  • Unsold work must be picked up November 1 at 4 p.m., shipped via JHP, or transported via OPM volunteer regional caravans.

Open Class Division

• Submission

  • Bring 1 painting for the Wednesday Pop-Up Reception (5-7 p.m. at Rec Hall).

  • Set on tabletop easels at 4:30 p.m. and fill out exhibit label.

  • Online submission of painting info, photo, and in-situ photo is due Thursday, September 17 by 7pm. This provides OPM with images of open class paintings for:

    • Press releases and future PAGM advertising

    • Great in-situ photos for the JHP main exhibit

    • Reminders to the judge for the John Franz Joy of Painting Award

• Framing

  • Framing is encouraged for presentation, but unframed works displayed on tabletop easels (provided by OPM or artist) are accepted.

• Retrieval

  • Pop-up event only; artists must take unsold artwork home Wednesday evening.

Birney Quick Paint (Open to All)

• Format

  • 90-minute timed event on Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m. at Artists Point.

  • Artists must paint within earshot of the horn.

• Procedure

  • Check in at 2:45 p.m. at East Bay picnic table.

  • Register by writing your name next to a number on the list, write the number on a 3x5 card taped to a popsicle stick, and tape that to the back of your easel/panel with number facing forward (will stay on for judging).

  • Do not begin painting until the loud horn sounds at 3:30 p.m.

• Judging

  • When the finish horn sounds, stop painting and immediately bring paintings to display on the rocks at East Bay for public viewing and jurying (In case of rain, move to Rec Hall).

  • Frames are not required, but some choose to utilize for presentation.

  • Awards announced at 5:30 p.m.

Quick Reference FAQ

• Arriving late or leaving early? As long as electronic submissions and physical drop-off deadlines are met, you do not need to be present to win awards. (Notify events@outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org if you cannot make it).

• Workshop Cancellations: Cancellations/changes must be made at least 1 week prior to Competition Week.

• Where is Headquarters? The Rec Hall at Grand Marais Municipal Campground (midnight blue building across from the office).

• Need Wi-Fi to submit forms? Available at JHP Gallery and Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op.