Plein Air 2026

PLEIN AIR EXHIBIT 2026

Event Dates May 28- June 30, 2026

Show Dates June 5 - 30, 2026

Exhibit A Gallery is excited to host the 2026 Plein Air event. What a fantastic week this is going to be. You will paint in the outdoors, throughout our community for up to 5 days, and then join our art patrons on Friday evening June 5th, 5-7 p.m.to come together for a sale of your works. Artwork not sold during this gathering will be on display, for sale, until June 30, 2026. What a perfect landscape our community has available; paint the tower, paint the store fronts of our boutique shops and local restaurants and of course, the famous Grandview drive!

All artists must commit via e-mail ONLY to exhibitagallery@sbcglobal.net

Subject heading must read: PLEIN AIR COMMITMENT

Commitments to participate must be completed by May 22, 2026 to qualify.

Upon acceptance, artists must make available a brief bio and artist statement.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

· Painting days May 28th- June 5th. There is no time limit. 

· June 5th, 5-7 PM is the actual exhibit where our art patrons and community come together to talk about your work, your experience and to purchase your paintings.

· Stop in to have your paper or canvas stamped and validated May 28th- May 30th from 11-4 pm

· Bring in 2 paintings at time of stamping that was previously painted in a plein air style to display at the gallery during the painting week of May 28- June 5th. Pick up of these works will be Friday June 5th when your new paintings will be delivered to the gallery.

· Only stamped and validated artwork will qualify to be exhibited through show dates

· Artwork created for the final exhibit must be turned in Friday June 5thfrom 10-12 PM. If you are late dropping off by even 1 minute you will be disqualified from any given awards. NO EXCEPTIONS

o You must submit a minimum of 2 paintings to be exhibited , but you can bring up to 5 paintings. All works must have been created during the specified dates of the 2026 plein air event.

· MANDATORY PAINT OUT DAY: Thursday June 4, 2026 from 4-7 PM. This evening time was chosen as it is a busy time of the day which will help promote the event as Heights patrons will be able to capture you painting as they are out and about patronizing the restaurants.

o Artists paint on location anywhere between Prospect & Glen and Prospect & Marietta

o The purpose of this is to really showcase what Plein Air painting is all about (on location painting)

· This is truly an outdoor painting event. Touch up or studio time can be no more than 5% per painting.

· It’s recommended you disclose your location as we will be following artists on FB to help promote this event.

· Text images of your paintings and yourself painting to my cell @ 309-256-1749. I will post on social media several times throughout each day. 

· If you are on site during painting days and you are approached by a guest to purchase a painting off the easel ahead of the exhibit, you must have the client come into the gallery or call 309-693-6180 to pay for the painting in full. All works must still be part of the exhibit and dropped off on Friday, June 5th with your other paintings. Paintings are not reserved until paid in full.

· Any commissions received during the painting week as well as the duration of the show will respectfully give a 10% artist finders fee to Exhibit A Gallery. 

· Artist painting location must be within a 25 mile radius of Exhibit A Gallery

· This event takes planning on your part. All artwork must be professionally presented, frames must be wired for hanging. NO PLASTIC OR BARN WOOD FRAMES OR EASEL BACKED FRAMES ACCEPTED

· All paintings must be for sale

• Artwork must be labeled      on the back with your Name, Title, Medium and Retail Price
• Artists will set the      price of all paintings. A provided inventory sheet must be filled out      prior to drop off and must accompany paintings. Commission will be 60% to      the artist and 40% to the gallery. 
• Artist      engagement on social media is expected. Your posts, comments, and shares      help promote your work, your fellow exhibitors and Exhibit A Gallery.      Posting your “on location” images gets people excited about the work.
• In an effort to bring      your collectors into the gallery, it is even more      crucial that you, as the artists, spread the word about      the exhibit!

Demonstration & Artist Talks: Saturday, June 6th from 1-3 PM will be a demonstration day and another opportunity for art patrons to engage with you about the process of painting in the plein air style. Please let me know at time of your commitment and if you would like to demonstrate in front of the gallery or give an artist talk. We are selling YOU, not just your art!

• MONETARY AWARDS will be given. Judging      will take place June 5th at 4:00 p.m.
• Best in Show $300
• 1st Place $150
• 2nd Place $50
• Liability: The artist      agrees to bear all risks and expense for any loss or damage to their      artwork, personal property or injury to themselves. Artists must insure      their own artwork.
• PICK-UP:  Unsold artwork      pickup is Wednesday July 1st 10-12 pm NO EXCEPTIONS

Please direct questions to Barb Milaccio at exhibitagallery@sbcglobal.net

TIMELINE:

Commitment Date: Friday May 22, 2026

Stamp days & previously plein air painting drop off for preshow: May 28- 30th, 11-4 pm

Painting Days: June 1st -  June 5th (Optional day to start painting May 28th)

Paint-Out Day: Thursday, June 4th, 4-7 pm

Drop Off: Friday June 5th, 10-12 pm No exceptions.

Reveal Party: Friday June 5th, 5-7 pm Mandatory

Demonstration & Artist Talks: Saturday, June 6th, 1-3 pm Mandatory

Artwork Pick-Up: Saturday July 1st10-12