Evanston Made presents the 3rd Annual Evanston Plein Air Festival: July 12-21, 2024. This citywide summer arts festival invites the community to plein air art events and competitions hosted in every neighborhood, accessible and free for all!

Watch competing artists paint in the Plein Air style, capturing the beauty of Evanston's natural and built environment and favorite landmarks.

Call for Artists – Registration form

Artist Prospectus – Here

2pm-3pm: Artist Orientation: July 13

Schedule:

Friday, July 12, 2024

5:30pm-7:30pm: Main Dempster Mile hosts the Plein Air Festival Kick Off Block Party! Pick up the festival map, meet the competing artists, see live art demonstrations, shop for plein air art, enjoy live music and delicious drinks and bites!

Saturday, July 13, 2024

9am – 11:30am: Workshop with Mark Cleveland.
Artist talk and instruction: learn the basic techniques to start painting outside or "en plein air". Artist and founder of the Evanston Plein Air Festival Mark Cleveland.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Class with Thomas Trausch
The day will begin with a demonstration and all media are welcome. If you have wanted to paint "en plein air" or have limited experience in doing so, we can go over supplies and answer any specific questions. Workshop hosted at the Evanston Lighthouse, $110. Register HERE.

Plein Air Festival Paint Outs, July 13-19, 2024

Paint Outs are "quick paint" competitions for competing plein air painters! Watch painters work during the painting time. Join us for award ceremonies at the end of the day. See below for times and locations across Evanston, free to attend, RSVP here. .

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Bastille Day Nocturne Paint Out: LeTour, Judge: Amy Morton
5pm-8pm: Painting Time
Award Ceremony: LeTour, 625 Davis Street
8:30pm: Award Time

Monday, July 15, 2024

Painting Area: Church & Dodge, Judge: Mark Cleveland
12pm-5pm Painting Time
6pm-7pm: Award Ceremony: C&W Market and Ice Cream, 1901 Church St.,
6:30pm: Award Time

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Painting Area: Downtown Evanston, Judges: Darren Oberto and Ross Martens
12pm – 5pm: Painting Time
6pm-7pm: Award Ceremony: Alley Gallery, 1712 Rear 2, Sherman Ave.,
6:30pm: Award Time

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Painting Area: Arrington Pond, Judges: Matt Puchalski and Katherine Gotsick
8am – 12pm: Painting Time
5pm-6pm: Award Ceremony: CoCo Design & Build, 602 Dempster St.,
5:30pm: Award Time
6pm-8pm: After Party: Artist Reception for Mark Cleveland and Nina Weiss, Plein Air Exhibit, POUR Evanston, 528 Dempster St.,

6pm-8pm: Plein Air Judges Exhibit Opening Party

The exhibit includes examples of plein air and studio work from our judges;  award winning artists and educators Nina Weiss and Tom Trausch joined by Festival Founder Mark Cleveland. POUR, 528 Dempster St., RSVP here.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Painting Area: Central Street by Independence Park, Judge: Laurie Kennard, Exec. Director PAPC
11am – 3pm: Painting Time
3pm-4pm: Awards Ceremony: DeSalvo's Pizza, 1945 Central St.,
3:30pm: Award Time

Friday, July 19, 2024

(Paint Out & Member Mixer)
Painting Area: Noyes Street, Judge: Nina Weiss
8am – 12pm : Painting time
6pm-8pm: Award Ceremony: Sarah Kaiser Artist Studio, 927 Noyes St.,
7pm: Award Time

Saturday, July 20, 2024

9am-11am: Painting Demonstrations

See artists Mark Cleveland (oil), Claire Tarnaki (acrylic) and Maria Delton (watercolor) work in plein air. Fountain Square in Downtown Evanston, FREE

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Plein Air Festival Grand Finale

Join us for an afternoon of art, awards and an Outdoor Art Market where artists will sell their work "off the easel". Enjoy food and drink vendors and family-friendly activities hosted by Downtown Evanston and festival partners. Free for all to attend.

Plein Air Festival competing artists will submit one work for judging.

12pm-3pm: View submitted art and vote Festival Favorite

3:30pm: Festival Award Ceremony

12pm-4pm: Art Market with Artists on Site

Hosted at Rotary International, Downtown Evanston, 1560 Sherman Ave., RSVP here

Date: July 12-21, 2024

Location: Various Venue in Evanston, IL

Click Here For More Information