Plein Air St. Charles

Next date: Monday, August 17, 2026 | 12:00 AM to Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 11:59 PM

The St. Charles Arts Council's third annual Plein Air (French for “open air” or “outdoors”) event is Aug. 17 through 23. The weeklong event welcomes 70 artists from across the U.S. who set up outdoors to paint picturesque scenes of St. Charles and the Tri-Cities area. The public is encouraged to view painters as they work and engage in creative activities.

Public events include:

• Weeklong Plein Air Paint Competition: Artists will paint throughout St. Charles and the TriCity area from Monday, Aug. 17, through Friday, Aug. 21 (artists paint day & night – night painting is known as “nocturne”)
• Artist Demonstration: Mount St. Mary’s Park on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• “Paint the Town:” A day dedicated to artists painting downtown St. Charles on Tuesday, Aug.18
• Quick Paint: Two-hour painting competition open to public entry at Pottawatomie Park on Wednesday, Aug.19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Plein Air Yoga in the Park: Pottawatomie Park on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Artist Meet & Greet: Alter Brewing on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to the St. Charles Arts Council)
• Fabyan Japanese Gardens open for viewing and painting: Thursday, Aug. 20, from noon to 3 p.m.
• Artist Mix & Mingle: 93 Octane in St. Charles on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Drink-up or fill-up at 93 Octane in St. Charles: St. Charles Arts Council is the August recipient of their "Community Pours" program, kicking off on Thursday, Aug. 6, with a match of up to $50 for every Gift card purchased. 
• Final Paint: Artists will create their final pieces Friday, Aug. 21, All Day
• Open Gallery: Extended ARC Gallery Hours on Friday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Grand Revel Party at Baker Community Center: Saturday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m.
  Tickets must be purchased in advance and include a first look and opportunity to purchase original artwork painted locally during Plein Air Week (over 250 pieces on exhibition), hors d’oeuvres provided by The Graceful Ordinary, open bar, and $50 toward artwork purchased that evening.
  
• Plein Air Art Show Open Public Sale: Baker Community Center, Sunday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Last chance to view and purchase artwork.)

 

 

 

 

 

When

Location

St. Charles, IL, 60174