Plein Air Art Festival

Saturday November 9 , 2024 -  9am – 4pm

Artists painting in the gardens, food trucks, music, workshops, and local garden-related exhibitors. A 21+ event.

The festivities begin at 9 a.m.
Scan your entry pass at the welcome tent and pick up vouchers and door prize tickets.

• Observe as artists paint in our 13 demonstration gardens. Our gardens are maintained by our Master Gardener Volunteers and  each one provides examples of best practices in gardening in the Sonoran Desert.
• Interact with exhibitors:Tucson area garden-related businesses and other organizations will provide information on their products and services.
• Ask a Master Gardener: Find out what is making your plant leaves yellow or droopy or ask a question about something you want to grow. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you.
• Learn – Workshops are FREE.  45 minutes - Learn how Phenology, the study of plant lifecycles, is enhanced by painting and photography.  Explore citizen science phenology, develop photography skills, discover what Plein Air Painting is all about in separate workshops on these topics.  (See workshop descriptions and schedule below.)
• Enjoy food trucks, music, and the company of fellow gardening and art enthusiasts in a relaxing fall garden atmosphere.

Sunday November, 10 2024 9 – 4 pm
Artist sales, “Best in Show contest,” silent  art auction, and door prizes!
Music,  workshops, food trucks, exhibitors

• 9:00 a.m.
  • Check - in
  • Scan entry pass and pickup door prize ticket.
• 9 :00– 3 pm
  • Purchase original art from the artists’ sales tents. Today only.
  • Last chance to take a workshop ( See schedule)
  • Last chance for “Ask a Master Gardener” questions
  • Last chance to get information from exhibitors
  • Check out the artists’ gallery of paintings completed on Saturday;
  • Vote for the painting that you think is the “Best in Show”
• 1 :00 - Announcement of contest winners and prizes
• 1:30 - Silent Auction –  proceeds go to the UA Foundation/ Pima County Master Gardener Program
• 2:30 - Silent auction results announced
• 3:00 - Door prizes

Workshop Descriptions:

• Introduction to Plein Air Art Techniques - Now that you’ve observed artists at work in our gardens, get inspired to take to the outdoors with your paints or pastels to capture a special moment in your own backyard, or in one of Tucson’s beautiful natural settings. Learn how Plein Air painting differs from studio art-making and become familiar with the techniques and equipment that Plein Air artists use to create.45 minutes.
• Introduction to Phenology - Painting is not the only way to capture nature. This workshop will cover the study of Phenology which documents the lifecycles of  insects, animals and plants including how they react to stresses such as weather conditions and availability of water. Join us for an explanation of the importance of Phenology and how to get involved in a citizen science project.  45 minutes
• Better Nature Photography – Cameras play a major role in Phenology for documenting plant and animal life cycles.  This workshop will introduce you to tips for better photography to capture the  amazing moments in nature that can happen in your own backyard. Come and learn about composition, lighting, accessories and more for your mobile phone or your DSLR.45 minutes 

Workshop Schedule: Saturday & Sunday

• 9-945 Introduction to Phenology
• 10-10:45 Introduction to Plein Air Art
• 11-11:45 Better Nature Photography
• 12-12:45 Introduction to Phenology
• 1-1:45 Introduction to Plein Air Art
• 2-2:45 Better Nature Photography

Become A Sponsor or Exhibitor

Call For Artists