PLEIN AIR DULUTH
July 17-19 | 2026
Paint-Outs Around Duluth: July 17-19
Sunday Plein Air Workshop with Casey Krawczyk: July 19
Public Reception and Painting Display at Great Lakes Atelier of Fine Art (GLAFA): July 19
ABout
Plein Air Duluth is an annual non-competitive weekend of organized paint-outs, artist social gatherings, and a painting workshop on Sunday with a different renowned instructor each year. Plein air artists come from around the state to spend the weekend making art and appreciating the beauty of Minnesota’s North Shore.
The weekend event is open to all, and culminates in a public reception at the Great Lakes Atelier of Fine Art to display, share, celebrate, and sell finished paintings.
The plein air workshop on Sunday is free for OPM members and GLAFA students/faculty, and just $25 for community members who wish to participate.
Featuring
opm workshop with casey krawczyk
Sunday, July 19 | 9am - 12pm
Great Lakes Atelier of Fine Art
Join fine artist Casey Krawczyk for a focused 3-hour plein air painting workshop at GLAFA presented in partnership with Outdoor Painters of Minnesota.
Casey will demonstrate her plein air process, introduce the materials and limited palette she uses for capturing Minnesota landscapes, and share insights from her experience as a professional artist. Participants are welcome to paint alongside her or observe. This workshop is suitable for artists of all levels interested in improving their outdoor painting practice.
About Casey
Casey Krawczyk earned her B.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and her M.F.A. from the New York Academy of Art. Currently based in Northern Minnesota, her artistry is profoundly influenced by her rural upbringing and the region’s Finnish and Indigenous cultural heritage, fostering a deep connection to the natural environment. Her paintings are characterized by meticulous detail and an intimate portrayal of the natural world, merging her cultural roots with her formal academic training. Casey brings extensive teaching experience, having served as a professor at Western State Colorado University before shifting her focus to her studio practice and workshop instruction in the northeastern United States.
Her work is represented by Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC; Peter Jung Fine Arts in Hudson, NY; and Keating Fine Art in Basalt, CO.
Glensheen Mansion & Lake Superior Zoo
This year, we’re excited to partner with local Duluth tourist attractions Glensheen Mansion and Lake Superior Zoo for unique paint-out experiences.
Glensheen Mansion has invited painters to disperse across the historic estate for a Friday afternoon of art-making and public interaction. They are advertising this as a “see the artists in action” event for visitors. Paintings created on the grounds (that do not sell during the weekend) can be left for display in a summer-long exhibit at the estate; OPM volunteers will coordinate collection to deliver Monday. Limited space will be available Saturday afternoon for those coming to town late, or who need an extra afternoon on their work.
Lake Superior Zoo is giving artists special early access on Saturday morning to find an interesting perch to paint critters, habitat, beautiful scenery, and more! Enjoy chatting with visitors young and old, sharing the excitement of plein air in this unexpected place.
2026 FULL Schedule
FRIDAY, JULY 17
12-3pm: Paint-out around the grounds of Glensheen Mansion
4-6pm: Artist Social at Canal Park Brewing
6-10pm: Paint-out in Canal Park
SATURDAY, JULY 18
9:30am-1pm: Paint-out at the Lake Superior Zoo
1-2: Lunch TBD
2-5pm: Paint-out TBD
6-8pm: Artist Social at Black Woods Grill
8-10pm: After-party gathering at artist Matt Kania’s home
SUNDAY, JULY 19
9am-noon: OPM Member Workshop with Casey Krawczyk at Great Lakes Atelier of Fine Art (GLAFA)
Noon-1: Picnic lunch at GLAFA (bring your own)
1-4pm: Paint-out TBD
5-7pm: Public reception and painting sale at GLAFA
MONDAY, JULY 20
Volunteers will deliver paintings to Glensheen for a summer exhibit of works from the Friday paint-out.
