Important Dates for 2026

Registration Opens: February 1, 9am
Workshops Announced: June 1
Painting Begins: August 9
YMCA Camp Menogyn Retreat: September 9-11
Main Competition Week and Workshops: September 11-19
Open Class Reception and Awards: September 16, 5-7pm
Competition Exhibit Reception and Awards: September 18, 5-7pm
Lisa K. Stauffer Juror Workshop: September 19, 9am-2pm
Competition Gallery Exhibit: September 19 - November 1

About

Plein Air Grand Marais (PAGM) began as an annual tradition in 2008, bringing outdoor painters to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a week of painting, learning, competition, and camaraderie. Since 2018, the event has been organized by Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and hosted by the Cook County Historical Society's Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. PAGM is community-supported and artist-organized, welcoming artists of all ages and abilities.

This plein air event is unique in format: painters self-select their participation preferences for competition intensity and educational integration, with respective cash and in-kind prizes.

The Competition Exhibit division is limited to 60 participants, first come, first served, and is intended for experienced painters. Artists commit to creating 4-6 paintings for display in the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery for the month following the event. Four main competition paintings are judged for awards, and an additional two reserve paintings may be submitted to hang for sale as others are sold. In 2025, competition class artists sold over 70 paintings. Awards vary each year, but include one $1,000 Best Body of Work, one $500 Artists’ Choice, and six $500 “POEM” awards (Paintings of Exceptional Merit).

The Open Class division is open to anyone. Painters in this division might wish to spend more time taking workshops, don't want to commit to finishing and framing four paintings, have less time to spend in Grand Marais, are exploring competition painting for the first time, or simply don’t want additional pressure during the week. Open Class participants may choose to display one original painting created during the event at a casual Wednesday night exhibit and awards reception. Five $250 "POEM" awards will be given.

Note: Awards, cash amounts, and in-kind prizes are subject to change. The Juror may only give one award per artist in each event. An award for Best Historic Site is selected and independently awarded in the Competition Exhibit by a committee from the Cook County Historical Society.

All registered artists in either division are invited to display and sell their paintings at the public Off-the-Easel Sale on Thursday, and participate in the 90-minute Birney Quick Paint, daily paint-outs, and artist social events. Throughout the main competition week, professional plein air artists offer workshops that anyone may register for, whether participating in the competition or not. A special workshop by the year’s competition juror is offered on the Saturday following the final reception.

Main VENUES

Artist Headquarters

Grand Marais Campground Rec Hall
​114 South 8th Avenue West, Grand Marais, MN 55604
(Across from the Campground Office)

Utilized for check-in, information, some workshops, and as a back-up location for the Hootenany celebration in case of rain.

Competition Exhibit

Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery
115 West Wisconsin Street
Grand Marais, MN 55604

Gallery for the main competition exhibit, public reception, and competition exhibit division award ceremony.

Workshops

Accomplished professional plein air painting instructors offer 3-hour workshops throughout the week of competition. These popular courses cost just $50 each, and often involve a paint-along demonstration, expert advice, and an opportunity to meet up with other artists. Workshops are open to all ability levels, and to anyone wishing to participate (do not need to be registered as part of the PAGM competition). These educational opportunities help make Grand Marais a destination painting event for artists to learn from each other and get inspired.

An individualized Juror Workshop with critiques is offered for $100 per person on the final Saturday of the event. Lunch at Sydney’s is included with registration.

2026 workshop instructors and course offerings will be announced on June 1, with registration opening at that time.

Daily Paint-Outs & Artist Socials

Plein Air Grand Marais is all about bringing people together who love to paint. Daily paint-outs are scheduled during Competition Week at locations such as Artists' Point, the Grand Marais Campground, YMCA’s Camp Menogyn, various state parks along the North Shore, and on the Superior Hiking Trail. On one evening of the week, a traditional nocturnal paint-out is held in downtown Grand Marais. 

Artist social events at restaurants and picnic locations are scheduled every day of Competition Week to give participants an opportunity to socialize, compare stories, learn from each other, and make new connections.

Public Art Activities

YMCA Camp Menogyn Retreat

Immediately preceding the main Competition Week, artists, friends, family, and any outdoor art enthusiasts are welcome to join our adventurous side-quest! The YMCA’s Camp Menogyn is a wilderness camp with lodge and cabins located up the Gunflint Trail, a half-mile boat trip across Bearskin Lake, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

In 2026, the Menogyn retreat will take place September 9-11, with registration beginning June 1. Meals, lodging, guided day trips, equipment and canoe use, sauna, and delightful camaraderie are all included in the retreat cost.

Off-the-Easel Sale in Harbor Park

On the Thursday of Competition Week at 11am, all registered artists may display and sell paintings created during Plein Air Grand Marais. This allows an opportunity to enjoy seeing each other's work, sell work to first-look buyers, and drum-up excitement for the public reception at Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery the following evening. Competition paintings that are pre-sold remain eligible for the exhibit and prizes if the buyer is willing to wait to take home their painting until after the award reception on Friday.

Birney Quick Paint Competition

On Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5:00pm, all registered artists are invited to participate in the 90-minute quick paint competition. The Birney Quick Paint commemorates renowned Minnesota artist Birney Quick (1912-1981), who co-founded the Grand Marais Art Colony in 1947 and was a seminal force in making Grand Marais a premier arts destination. 

This exciting spectator sport attracts visitors and tourists of all ages who are thrilled to watch the timed, all-weather (downpour or sunshine!) event. Paintings are then immediately displayed on the rocks at East Bay near Artists Point and juried for cash awards.

Berton Boxes

Plein Air Grand Marais also provides an opportunity for community members and visitors to try outdoor painting. Berton Boxes, which are portable wood pochades filled with art supplies, are supervised by our local sponsor Joy & Co. for anyone to stop by and create a painting for public display in a picket-fence outdoor "gallery."

Award Receptions 

Open Class

The Open Class award reception is held on Wednesday of Competition Week starting at 5:00pm, in rotating venues each year. The 2025 Open Class reception was held at the Grand Marais Campground Rec Hall (our Artists’ Headquarters) and catered by Fisherman's Daughter.

Competition Exhibit

The public reception and award ceremony for the Competition Exhibit division is held on the Friday of Competition Week at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, from 5:00-7:00pm, with award announcements at 6:00pm.

For those interested in getting a first look (and first chance to buy paintings), the VIP Pre-Reception begins at 4:00pm, with tickets available through the gallery. All registered artists receive free access to the VIP Pre-Reception.

The Hootenany!

It's long been an annual tradition to gather at the end of Competition Week to sing and play music together. Join The Plain Errors and celebrate the week's painting achievements on Friday after the final reception.