Through Oct. 28 — 19th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival

“Our Plein Air Festival is a premier destination event and Sedona Arts Center’s signature fall event,” said Julie Richard, CEO of Sedona Arts Center. “Everyone is invited—residents, visitors and art lovers of all ages—to observe professional artists in action painting this wondrous place outdoors or “en plein air.”

Participating festival artists will paint in varied mediums and styles throughout the city and surrounding landscape, including L’Auberge de Sedona, Sedona Heritage Museum, the Sedona Airport, Uptown Sedona and Sedona Arts Center. Paintings created over the course of the week will be framed and displayed for sale in the Special Exhibitions Gallery and Theatre Studio of the Art Barn at Sedona Arts Center.

The French expression, “plein air” translates to “in the open air” and means painting entirely from direct observation in natural light or outdoors. It is a challenging practice for artists to paint from life and capture the rapidly changing environments—light, temperature, weather and subject—of their location. Knowing the changing conditions that artists endure to produce a completed artwork, plein air paintings are even more impressive. “It is an unforgettable experience to watch Sedona landscapes and everyday scenes materialize on canvas,” says Richard.

The week begins with an Artists Meet & Greet Reception on Friday, October 20 followed by paint-out events, artist demonstrations and engaging lectures. The festival concludes with a Community Paint Out on Saturday, October 28 where the public is encouraged to get creative and join the fun.

Dr Bruce and Ann Peek, The Kling Family Foundation, L’Auberge de Sedona, Sedona Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Commision on the Arts, Guerilla Painter, Plein Air Magazine, Western Art & Architecture, Sedona NOW, Blick Art Materials, Golden Artist Colors, Red Rock News, Best Western PLUS, Lamar Advertising, Kudos AZ, Jerry’s Artarama, Golden Artist Colors, and Judsons Art Outfitters.

Friday, October 20, 4–6pm
Artists Meet & Greet Reception
Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road

Join us as we kick off the weeklong festival and meet this year’s Plein Air Artists.  The Artists’ studio paintings will be on display in the SEG in the Art Barn.  All work is for sale!  

Saturday, October 21, 10am–12pm
Main Street Paint Out

Stroll up and down Uptown Sedona on 89A to see all 26 artists painting their surroundings and the beautiful views in real time.  Artists can be identified wearing their festival t-shirts and they will be painting from Sedona Arts Center all the way to the Pink Jeep Café. Join us at 12:30 in the parking lot of Sedona Arts Center for the awards and sale, judged by Alan Petersen, Curator of Fine Arts for the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Sunday, October 22, 1–3pm
Artists Demonstrations
Sedona Arts Center – 15 Art Barn Road

Margaret Larlham, Carol Douglas, Hadley Rampton will paint live around the grounds of the Sedona Arts Center.

Monday, October 23, 10am–12pm
Artists Demonstrations
Sedona Arts Center – 15 Art Barn Road

Ellie Wilson, Kathleen Gray Farthing and Gretchen Lopez will paint live around the grounds of the Sedona Arts Center.

Tuesday, October 24, 10am–12pm
Creekside Paint Out at L’Auberge de Sedona

Artists will have the opportunity to paint along the creek on the grounds of the beautiful L’Auberge de Sedona.  Please park at Sedona Arts Center and take a shuttle to the hotel because parking is limited.  Shuttles will run from 8:30am to 1:30pmfrom the Arts Center.  This show will be judged by Linda Goldenstein, Owner Goldenstein Gallery and Curator, L’Auberge de Sedona. Awards and sale begin at 12:30pm.

Tuesday, October 24, 1-3pm
Artists Demonstrations
Sedona Arts Center – 15 Art Barn Road

Julia Munger Seelos, Laura Martinez-Bianco, Barbara Tapp will paint live around the grounds of the Sedona Arts Center.

Wednesday, October 25, 4–7pm
Sedona Airport Paint Out and Reception
235 Air Terminal Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336

As the sun sets, artists will be painting from 4-6pm stretching from the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout all the way to select areas around the airport.  Join us for a reception from 5-7pm in the terminal.  At 6:30pm the awards and sale will begin in the terminal area, judged by Alan Petersen, Curator of Fine Arts for the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Thursday, October 26, 10am-2:30pm
Artists Demonstrations at Sedona Heritage Museum
735 Jordan Rd, Sedona

Jacqueline Chanda, Casey Cheuvront, Gunther Haidenthaller will be painting on site at Sedona Heritage Museum grounds.

Thursday, October 26
History of Plein Air Lecture with Carl Judson
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road

Taking place at the Arts Center, Carl Judson of Judson Art Outfitters and Guerrilla Painter LLC, will present the history of plein air painting.

Friday, October 27, 2023, 4:30–7pm
Awards Night Celebration and Reception
Sedona Arts Center, Special Exhibition Gallery & Theatre, 15 Art Barn Road

This is the big night!  Join us as we celebrate an amazing week of the 19^th annual Plein Air Festival.  Best of Show and final awards will be presented by our special judge, Tim Newton. Tim is the publisher of Western Art & Architecture magazine and is also Chairman Emeritus of the famed Salmagundi Club.

Patron’s Circle members can arrive at 4pm for a 30-minute preview and chance to purchase before the reception opens to the public.  VIP parking included. To become a Patrons Circle Member click here: https://sedonaartscenter.org/donate/

Our mission is to connect, enrich, educate and lead through the inspiring power of the arts and creative discovery.

Sedona Arts Center is one of Northern Arizona’s most well-established cultural organizations and serves as the creative heart of Sedona. Founded in 1958, the nonprofit is based in Uptown Sedona and offers year-round classes, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events that enhance the creative life of the Verde Valley.

SedonaArtsCenter.org