Plein Air Paint Outs
Paint outs are offered the first three Saturdays of each month. On the fourth weekend, we offer a Sunday morning paint out. Several times a season, a celebrated guest artist is on hand to demo and critique.
Everyone is invited to paint along with us, as we enjoy each other’s companionship and enhance our artistic skills. As members, we have fun exploring Chicago’s neighborhoods, watching demonstrations by well-known artists, sharing painting insights, and learning from critiques. At the end of each plein air season, all of us – from beginners to professionals – feel a great sense of satisfaction when we frame and exhibit the paintings we created during our paint outs.
Paint Outs are listed by month below, and also on our Events Calendar page.
April
Paint Out: Andersonville (Sunday)
April 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at AndersonvilleFrom the early 1800s until 1960, Swedes ranked as Chicago’s fifth-largest foreign-born group. One ...
May
Paint Out: Humboldt Park
May 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Humboldt Park Boat HouseThis paint out is a favorite for PAPC members. If you like choices at your paint outs, then this is ...
Paint Out: Giddings Plaza/Lincoln Square
May 10 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Giddings PlazaThis lively square has outdoor cafes with plenty of umbrellas! A large fountain and many shopfronts ...
Paint Out: Pilsen
May 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Pilsen, Jumping BeanPilsen is a favorite painting site! The Jumping Bean Coffee Shop is a beautiful building with a Vi...
Paint Out: Graceland Cemetery (Sunday)
May 25 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Graceland CemeteryGraceland Cemetery is a large historic garden cemetery located in the north side community area of U...
Paint Out: Belmont Harbor
May 31 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Belmont HarborBelmont Harbor is located in the heart of beautiful Lincoln Park and is one of the largest harbors i...
June
Paint Out: Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District
June 7 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Frank Lloyd Wright Home and StudioOak Park offers great architecture amid lush tree-lined streets. Street parking available. Frank Llo...
Paint Out: Riverwalk
June 14 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at RiverwalkWe will be meeting on the riverfront at Michigan and Wacker near O’Brien’s Restaurant. It’s ...
Paint Out: Chicago Botanical Garden
June 21 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Chicago Botanic Garden385 acres of nature! Favorite painting spots are the English Walled Garden, the view of the Japanese...
Paint Out: Old Town
June 28 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Old TownOld Town is a busy thriving neighborhood which offers us many choices. You can paint at Twin Ancho...
July
Paint Out: Wicker Park
July 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTPaint Out: Sheffield Garden Walk
July 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Sheffield and Armitage AvenuesMore info to come.
Paint Out: Chinatown (Sunday)
July 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Chinatown GateChinatown is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Chicago, as it continues to retain its eth...
August
Paint Out: Prairie Avenue
August 2 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Prairie AveOnce the premier street to live on in Chicago, the Avenue fell into disrepair and it was not until t...
Paint Out: Lakeview East
August 9 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lakeview EastA bustling neighborhood with shopfronts flashy and quaint, the historic Century Movie Palace, a Goth...
Paint Out: Spirit of Music Garden
August 16 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Spirit of Music Gardens ParkWhatever you’re in the mood to paint, you should find it at this paint out. Spirit of Music Gard...
Paint Out: Montrose Harbor
August 23 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Montrose HarborMontrose Harbor is located on the northern edge of Lincoln Park, a short walk from Montrose Beach. ...
Paint Out: Roscoe Village
August 31 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTRoscoe Village is a family friendly neighborhood and promises to be an active Saturday. Roscoe Str...
September
Paint Out: Green City Market
September 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Green City MarketThis Lincoln Park farmer’s market, Green City Market, is located at 1817 N. Clark Street. We’l...
Paint Out: Gross Point Lighthouse (Sunday)
September 28 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Gross Point LighthouseCome to Evanston this Saturday to paint the well-preserved lighthouse that was built in 1873. The ...
October
Paint Out: Hutchinson Street
This district’s mix of Prairie style designs and more traditional historical styles, such as Class...
October 4 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 600-800 Hutchinson StreetPaint Out: Devon Avenue
More info to come.
October 11 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTPaint Out: Little Italy and Taylor Street
Taylor Street is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Chicago. From the late 1800s to about the...
October 18 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Little italyPaint Out: Riverside (Sunday)
This quaint suburb is quiet on a Sunday, except for the train traffic! However, there are cafes, a r...
October 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Riverside IL
November
Become a Member
Join the Plein Air Painters Chicago today and receive all of the wonderful membership benefits.
Only $50 a year.
$35 for students with I.D. & current enrollment.