Imagine painters situated along the Seine in Paris and transport them to the banks and bluffs of the beautiful Mississippi River in Red Wing, MN.

Red Wing Arts celebrates our 20th annual event in 2026, bringing artists to our community from around the region to paint “recognizable” Red Wing en Plein Air. Meaning approximately “open air” in French, Plein Air is a study of how light and shadow interact with things, creating a snapshot of one moment in time that can never be repeated.

Red Wing sits at the entrance to the Driftless Region. We are a stunning place with a charming downtown, dramatic bluffs, rolling hills, vistas and winding rivers that define our historic town. Our exhibit includes over 100 works that are judged and hung in our Depot Gallery.

Applications are now open to participate as a Juried Featured Artist in our 2026 Red Wing Arts Plein Air! Artists may also register to participate as an Open Class Artist, or Youth Open Class Artist without going through a jury process. Questions? email pleinair@redwingarts.org

We are pleased to announce that Andy Evansen will jury submissions this year, and that award-winning artist, Kami Mendlik will judge this year’s exhibit, awarding $5,000 in cash prizes! We will announce the participants in the spring.

Participate in our 2026 Red Wing Arts Plein Air

The deadline to apply to participate as a Juried Featured Class Artist has passed. Artists may still participate as an Open Class Artist by registering before June 1, 2026.

Participate as an Open Class Artist

For artists participating as Open Class only, the participation fee is $45. Fees may be paid online, by phone, or mail by June 1, 2026. Open Class Artists are invited to turn in 1 painting for the exhibit by 10 am on June 18, 2026.

Participate as a Youth Open Class Artist

Artists ages 14-22 are welcome to participate in our Youth Open Class category. The participation fee is $15. Fees may be paid online, by phone, or mail by June 1, 2026. Youth Open Class Artists are invited to turn in 1 painting for the exhibit by 10 am on June 18, 2026. Youth artists will be invited to an orientation/information session before June 1, stay tuned for details.

2026 Red Wing Arts Plein Air Events

Experience the art as it happens! All are welcome to these events where artists capture Red Wing on canvas!

Meet 2026 Judge, Kami Mendlik

Kami Mendlik is a nationally and internationally recognized oil painter, whose primary focus is the study of light and color in the landscape.  In 2008, she founded the St. Croix River School of Painting in Stillwater, MN where she teaches the fundamentals of representational painting with a special emphasis on color. 

In January of 2014 she purchased a 16-acre farm just North of Stillwater Minnesota, where she converted a 100-year-old hip roof barn into her studio and the St Croix River School of Painting's new location.  The property is a landscape painters dream with endless inspiration for painting. 

Kami is the 2022 recipient of the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship and was awarded the 2022 Bronze Medal at the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition. 

She is the author of "Color Relativity:  Creating the Illusion of Light with Paint", Creator of Planal Fruit, Distinguished Alumni Recipient - Stillwater Area Highschool, Signature Member OPA - Oil Painters of America, Signature Member of AIS - American Impressionist Society,  Signature Member of ASMA – American Society of Marine Artists, Signature Member of AWA - American Woman Artists, and an active Member of OPM - Outdoor Painters of Minnesota.

2025 Featured Class Artists

2025 Red Wing Arts Plein Air
Exhibit Paintings