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, awarding $5,000 in cash prizes. Artists may also register to participate as an Open Class Artist, or Youth Open Class Artist without going through a jury process. We will announce our 2026 Plein Air juror, judge, and participants in the spring. Questions? email pleinair@redwingarts.org

Apply by April 1 to be a Juried Featured Artist

Applications are now open to participate as a Juried Featured Artist in our 2026 Red Wing Arts Plein Air, awarding $5,000 in cash prizes. To participate, apply online by submitting 3 recent plein air images and paying a $45 application fee by April 1, 2026. Artists will be notified of their status by April 13, 2026.

Important Information & Dates
If invited as a Juried Featured Artist, you are welcome to participate in all artist events. Artists not juried in as a Featured Artist will be automatically eligible to participate as an Open Class artist, and are welcome to participate in all artist events with no additional participation fee.

• June 6-17 Artists Paint Red Wing

• June 13, 9-11 am Quick Paint & Kids Paint

• June 18, 8-10 am Artwork drop off - all artwork must be turned in by 10 am. Juried Featured Artists must turn in 3 paintings and Open Class Artists may turn in 1 painting. 

• June 19, 6-8 pm First Glimpse & Awards Reception

• June 20-Aug 23 Exhibit on display in RWA Depot Gallery
  
  Questions? email pleinair@redwingarts.org

Submission tips

• Good photos of paintings – clear, in-focus images, eliminate frames and background

• Works that were completed entirely en plein air, no studio paintings

• Consistent media – submit paintings that are in media you will use during the competition

• Paintings that show versatility of subject matter

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.

2025 Featured Class Artists

2025 Red Wing Arts Plein Air
Exhibit Paintings