The Ohio Plein Air Society is a collection of artists and art lovers who love creating art outdoor. Artists complete their paintings, drawings, or other art forms outside on location via direct observation.
Members of the group explore the diversity and uniqueness of Ohio’s landscapes, cityscapes, lakes, rivers, and streams through art.
Plein air painting started gaining popularity in the 1860’s, and was fundamental to impressionism. Painting outside became easier once tubes of paint became available in the 1870’s, making it easier to work with supplies outside.
The term “plein air” described Claude Monet and the Impressionists in France. In French it means “open air” or “outside,” but since Monet’s time the term has been used to describe people who take their easels outdoors to paint.
Ohio Plein Air Competition
The Ohio Plein Air Society annual competition is in Richland County this year on September 21-24, 2023.
Participating artists will find their inspiration in north central Ohio featuring state parks, unique villages, Kingwood Center, Malabar Farm, Carousel District, and historic sites.
The Mansfield Art Center will serve as the venue for stamping, Saturday Evening Social, and the Sunday morning juried exhibit. This will also be the location of the Wet Paint Sale and the traditional 2-hour Quick Draw.
Richland County is a short drive from Columbus, so go check out these artists while they work and you explore. Check out our articles with plenty of fun things to do in Richland County.
Fun Family Getaway: Richland County and Comfort Inn Splash Harbor
Ohio Travel: Mansfield – Where History Meets Hollywood
For the competition, paintings should be 95% completed outside, on location, and from direct observation. No photography allowed. The painting must resemble the location.
Mansfield Art Center
700 Marion Ave
Mansfield, Ohio 44906
Other Local Paintouts
Lynds Fruit Tree Farm Paint Out
9399 Morse Rd. SW, Pataskala, OH 43062
Saturday, December 2, 2023 – Licking County
About Ohio Plein Air Society
Different cities host the annual competition for 2 years in a row. Columbus is the host for 2020 and 2021. If you are interested in joining the group, it’s a great time to join!
The plein air movement is enjoying an increased return in popularity in the United States, and the Ohio Plein Air Society is made of from members of every county in Ohio, as well as surrounding states.
About the Plein Air Society
The Ohio Plein Air Society is a non-profit organization. The group is open to artists, patrons, educators, and enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels, backgrounds and interests. The group of artists support and learn from each other with organized paint outs, workshops, competitions, critiques and group exhibitions.
The level of participation is up to each member. There’s a small yearly fee to join the Society. If you are interested in joining or learning more about them, please see the website for membership details.
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