2025 Plein Air Grand Marais is open for registration! The Competition Class has a limit of 60, and registration is first come, first served. Invitational artists are held a spot until May 1, 2024. The Open Class remains open until Competition Week, September 5-13, 2025.
Painters of all experience levels are welcome. The Competition Class is intended for experienced painters who commit to submit four framed Competition Class paintings for the September 14 – October 5, 2025 exhibit at Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. Invitational Artists are reserved a spot in the Competition until the deadline and include select painters from Minnesota's Arrowhead region plus workshop instructors and the previous year's Open Class winner. The Open Class is intended for learning painters or those prefering to have more time to attend workshops. Open Class artists may submit one painting for a Wednesday evening pop-up exhibit and awards reception.
The non-refundable application fee for all participants is $45.
Plein Air Grand Marais is organized by artists, for artists. We have an educational focus on painters' development and camaraderie. Due to limited space in JHP Gallery, the Competition Class is limited to 60 artists. To balance our interest in maintaining a top-tier event with experienced painters and learning artists alike, we encourage painters to self-select their appropriate class. After the May 1 registration deadline, Competition Class vacancies regularly occur—life happens—and will be filled from interested Open Class painters based on the time and date of their PAGM registration.
All registered artists may paint in the Quick Paint, register for workshops, attend paint-outs and artists' socials with their guests, and receive VIP admission to the final reception at JHP. The best-in-show award winner of the Open Class Exhibit is an Invitational Artist in next year's PAGM.