Plein Air Easton is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States. The annual competition is held in Easton, MD each July. Artists from all over the United States and beyond apply and fifty-eight artists will be juried into the competition by a unique juror each year.  Once selected, competing artists will travel to Talbot County to produce art from life (as opposed to in the studio).

Many of the world's most accomplished artists have Easton at the top of their wish list of competitions and we will continue to set the bar for excellence in the coming year.

Plein Air Easton is just one of many programs operated by the Avalon Foundation. Visit avalonfoundation.org for details on our other important work.

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"Extraordinary grit and hard work from staff and volunteers; amazing new artists I've never met before."

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David Orrin Smith, Plein Air Easton Alumnus

FEATURED NEWS STORIES

See our news feed for a full list of our articles.

21st Annual Plein Air Easton Announces Esteemed Juror Selection

Easton, MD – Plein Air Easton (PAE) is thrilled to announce the juror selection for the 21st PAE festival and outdoor art competition, July 11-20, 2025.

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Awards List - 20th Plein Air Easton 2024

Grand Prize: Timothy Dills Memorial Award, $5,000 + Invitation to participate in #PAE2025Sponsored by Ellen VatneRobert Simone, ‘The Shipwright’s Apprentice’

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Plein Air Easton’s 20th Year Celebration Recap

Easton, Maryland – July 22, 2024 – The 20th Annual Plein Air Easton (PAE) Art Festival and Competition, known as the largest and most prestigious outdoor painting competition in the United States,

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Plein Air Easton Launches Inaugural Hall of Fame Awards

EASTON, MD — April 15, 2024 — Plein Air Easton, the renowned celebration of outdoor painting, is excited to announce the inauguration of its Hall of Fame Awards.

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CORPORATE SPONSORS

SPECIAL THANKS

FRIENDS OF PLEIN AIR

VISIONARY
BENEFACTOR
PATRON

Sharon & Christopher Haines
Beverly & Richard Tilghman

ART LOVER

Virginia & Michael Borner

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BECOME A FRIEND OF PLEIN AIR

The Friends of Plein Air Easton are a group of active supporters who ensure that Plein Air Easton exists and thrives into the future. Plein Air Easton is not a single event or moment but a ten-day series of meaningful experiences where opportunities to engage, learn, and explore the Eastern Shore's stunning geography, art, and culture abound.

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