Evanston Made Plein Air Paint Out and Picnic
About this Event
Let's take the party outside with a potluck picnic and Plein Air Paint Out Awards at the Greenwood Beach Picnic Area.
- Tuesday, July 14, 6-8p
Gather at Picnic Area D at Dawes Park by Greenwood Beach starting at 6p; make a nametag (of course), make yourself a plate of deliciousness, make a new friend. Paintings from the paint out will be on exhibit for judging and yes, they will be for sale. Awards announced at 6:30p.
Plein Air Painters are in town July 11-19 for the 5th Annual Plein Air Festival and this is a fantastic opportunity to meet new artists and learn about the festival.
Tuesday's Paint Out will feature up to 20 competing painters, setting up in the Greenwood Beach area, to compete for the daily award. Painters will be on site 1-5p and will gather at the picnic for the Awards at 6:30p. Find more information about the Plein Air Festival evanstonmade.org/2026-evanston-plein-air-festival
All Evanston Made Events - Everyone is invited - members, patrons, visitng family from afar, arts curious folks! Bring a dish to share or NOT. Bring a friend or NOT. All Evanston Made events are FREE to attend, full of interesting and fun poeple and designed to build community in the ARTS with artists!
Questions? Email [email protected] and Thomas the Summer Intern will be in touch.
5th ANNUAL EVANSTON PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS • JULY 11-19, 2026
Saturday, July 11
- Check In Opens for Registered Artists at Blick Art Materials, 1755 Maple Ave.
- Plein Air Art Festival Exhibit and Artist Reception: hosted at Saw Room Gallery, 1712 Sherman Ave., Rear 2, 5-7p. RSVP here.
Sunday, July 12
- Festival Kick off: Paint Out Location: Arrington Pond
- Paint: 1-4p
- Awards: 4p
- Award location: Café au Lake, 1647 Sheridan Rd., 4p
Monday, July 13
- Open Paint day for Competitors
- Workshop: Plein Air Fundamentals: The Art of Outdoor Painting with Festival Judge Mark Cleveland. Arrington Pond, 1647 Sheridan Rd, 9a-1p. INFO
Tuesday, July 14
- Paint Out Location at Greenwood Beach, 1-5p, Awards at Dawes Park Picnic Area, Picnic Table D, 6:30p
- Paint Out Awards and Picnic, Dawes Park Picnic Area, Picnic Table D, 6p. RSVP
Wednesday, July 15
- Paint Out Location: Central Street between Greenbay and Hartrey
- Paint: 1:30-5:30p
- Awards: 6:30p
- Award location: Independence Park, Central and Stewart St.
Thursday, July 16
- Paint Out Location: Downtown Evanston's Fountain Square
- Paint: 1:30-5:30p
- Awards: 6:30p
- Award location: LeTour, 625 Davis St.
- Judges: Gina Speckman, Ross or Darren from Alley Gallery
Friday, July 17
- Paint Out Location: Main and Chicago Avenues
- Quick Paint: 1:30-5:30p
- Awards: 6:30p
- Award location: Block Party at Chicago Ave. and Main St., 514 Main St.
- Judges: Katherine Gotsick & Matt Puchalski, Masterpiece Framing + Imaging
- Click here for INFO
Saturday, July 18
- Paint Out Location: Farmers Market
- Quick Paint: 8:30-11:30a
- Awards: 12p
- Award location: Evanston Made Tent
- Judges: Juelle Daley & Katherine Horwitz Martinez
, Plein Air Festival Grand Finale
Join us for an afternoon of art, awards, a plein air cafe and an Outdoor Art Market where artists will sell their work “off the easel”. Rotary’s Café International will have delicious food and wine for sale, with outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the festival. Hosted by Evanston Made and Rotary International, this event is FREE to attend. Hosted at Rotary International, Downtown Evanston, 1560 Sherman Ave., 12-4p.
- Enter Rotary International’s lobby to view submitted art and vote Festival Favorite, 12-3p
- Best in Show Judge: Mark Cleveland, at the 5th Annual Plein Air Festival. Mark’s role as Founder of the Evanston Plein Air Festival and Top 100 Finalist in Plein Air Magazine’s Plein Air Salon Art Competition make him an ideal judge to celebrate this festival’s 5th Anniversary.
- Festival Award Ceremony: 3:30p
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
