2026 Bisbee Plein Air Festival and Competition
About this Event
BISBEE PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL 2026 - Thursday, October 8– Sunday, October 11
The Festival is held at Central School Project, 43 Howell Ave, in Old Bisbee
Supported by the Bisbee Foundation, the Arts Foundation of Tucson ans Southern Arizona and Arizona Commission on the Arts
We welcome artists at all levels of practice from first timers to the pros. Our festival is relaxed, fun and the artists are supportive of each other. You can register to paint and opt out of entering your work for judging if you wish.
PRIZES $800
$800 in Cash Prizes 1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100 | People’s Choice $100
2 honorable mentions 50.00 each
Jurors to be Announced
The Bisbee Plein Air Festival convenes Thursday, October 8 through Sunday October 11, 2026. Each year artists come to paint Old Bisbee and the surrounding area’s historic architecture, sprawling staircases, charming streets, industrial mining remnants, and colorful homes set amidst the scenic Mule Mountains to compete for $800 in prizes. You also have the opportunity to sell your Festival pieces to the public at the Wet Paint Exhibition and Sale.
2026 YEAR INCLUDES:
An artist meet and greet on Friday night with a juror's show, the option of group nocturne painting with Sam Poe Gallery as headquarters, A fun quick-painting & drawing drop in at Grassy Park Saturday morning, judging and wet paint sale in the CSP gallery, and informal critique session on Sunday morning in the gallery. Canvas stamping will be downtown at RedBone Shop on the corner of Subway St. More opportunities may be added!
Lodging Sponsors
We have lodging sponsors this year! The Carrick Hotel, El Dorado Suites and The Object Hotel are giving great deals to Plein air Artists for the duration of the festival. Go to the plein air page on our website for details on the discounts . https://www.centralschoolproject.org
Painting Competition Rules and Regulations
If you use an alias or pen name as an artist, when you are registering your paintings for the competition, you must put your real name on the back of the slips you fill out.
Entries 2026: We are limiting the number of painting entries to 2 this year. However, you may get as many canvases stamped as you would like.
- CANVAS STAMPING REQUIRED: Artists may stamp as many canvases as they wish, but can enter only 2 pieces of work to be judged in the competition and in sales gallery. All canvas stamping is done at RedBone, a vintage clothing store at the corner of Subway Street and Shearer Ave. Framing is suggested, but not required. Easels for display help too but not required.
- The 2026 Bisbee Plein Air Festival is open to any artist who paints and draws using the plein air technique (not from photographs ) in oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, pastel, or other non-digital media.
- All paintings entered in the competition/sale must be done “en plein air” (in the open air where the artist has no control of light or weather) during the event dates in Bisbee. All canvas/paper/boards must be stamped PRIOR to painting. NO unstamped art will be accepted.
Wet Paint Gallery Show (after judging)
Bring frames for your work and have the entries ready to hang.
The sales commission is 35% to the Plein Air Fest and 65% to the artist for all sales made during the public receptions.
Central School Project and associated volunteers assume no responsibility for loss or damage to any work, display or person.
Artists may paint anywhere in Bisbee, and its close envioirns, which includes Warren, Lowell, San Jose, et cetera.
Schedule
RedBone Canvas Stamping Hours:
Thursday October 8 from 8 am to 6 pm
Friday October 9 from 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday October 10 from 8 am to Noon
Artists Painting - Thursday, October 8 – Saturday October 10 til 1:30 pm
Friday 6:00 - 8:00 pm Artist meet and greet at Central School and Jurors Show Reception
Friday 8:00 pm Nocturne painting. Meet at Sam Poe Gallery on Subway Street
Saturday 10:00 - 1:00 pm Drop in at Grassy Park gathering and relaxed art-making with Sam Woolcott
Saturday 1:00 pm - 2:00 Artists bring their paintings to Central School to register them for the competition.
After your check in Artists leave the building as judging will start at about 2:30
Saturday 4:00 pm The show opens to the public. Vote for People’s Choice Award.
Saturday 5:00 pm Awards Ceremony at Central School
Gallery open until 8:00 pm Buy the paintings of Bisbee!
Sunday 10:00- 11:00 pm Casual artists Critique
Sunday 11:00- 12:30 pm Artists and buyers pick up work
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 15.00 to USD 35.00
