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.

Downloadable Personal Safety and Packing List

Paint Outs are listed by month below, and also on our Events Calendar page.

March

There are no upcoming events.

April

Paint Out: Andersonville (Sunday)
April 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Andersonville
From the early 1800s until 1960, Swedes ranked as Chicago’s fifth-largest foreign-born group. One ...

May

Paint Out: Roscoe Village
May 2 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Roscoe Village
Roscoe Village is a family friendly neighborhood and promises to be an active Saturday. Roscoe Str...
Paint Out: Humboldt Park
May 9 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Humboldt Park Boat House
This paint out is a favorite for PAPC members. If you like choices at your paint outs, then this is ...
Paint Out: Pilsen
May 16 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Pilsen, Jumping Bean
Pilsen is a favorite painting site! The Jumping Bean Coffee Shop is a beautiful building with a Vi...
Paint Out: Graceland Cemetery (Sunday)
May 24 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Graceland Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery is a large historic garden cemetery located in the north side community area of U...
Paint Out: Belmont Harbor
May 30 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Belmont Harbor
Belmont Harbor is located in the heart of beautiful Lincoln Park and is one of the largest harbors i...

June

Paint Out: Hutchinson Street
June 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 600-800 Hutchinson Street
This district’s mix of Prairie style designs and more traditional historical styles, such as Class...
Paint Out: Lincoln Park Conservatory / Lincoln Park Zoo / Shakespeare Garden
June 13 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lincoln Park Conservatory / Lincoln Park Zoo / Shakespeare Garden
The conservatory is a painting challenge! The gardens are beautiful and the fountain is a treat! If ...
Paint Out: Chicago Botanical Garden
June 20 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm CDT at Chicago Botanic Garden
385 acres of nature! Head to one of the favorite painting spots such as the English Walled Garden, t...
Paint Out: Old Town
June 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Old Town
Old Town is a busy thriving neighborhood which offers us many choices. You can paint at Twin Ancho...

July

Paint Out: Wicker Park
July 4 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Wicker Park
The Wicker Park neighborhood was incorporated into Chicago in 1837 and became the center of well-to-...
Paint Out: Chinatown (Sunday)
July 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Chinatown Gate
Chinatown is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Chicago, as it continues to retain its eth...

August

Paint Out: Prairie Avenue
August 1 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Prairie Ave
Once the premier street to live on in Chicago. Historic mansions line this street. This is a beautif...
Paint Out: Lakeview East
August 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lakeview East
A bustling neighborhood with shopfronts flashy and quaint, the historic Century Movie Palace, a Goth...
Paint Out: Spirit of Music Garden
August 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Spirit of Music Gardens Park
Whatever you’re in the mood to paint, you should find it at this paint out. Spirit of Music Gard...
Paint Out: Montrose Harbor
August 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Montrose Harbor
Montrose Harbor is located on the northern edge of Lincoln Park, a short walk from Montrose Beach. ...
Paint Out: Riverwalk (Sunday)
August 30 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Riverwalk
We will be meeting on the riverfront at Michigan and Wacker near O’Brien’s Restaurant. It’s ...

September

Paint Out: Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District
September 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Oak Park offers great architecture amid lush tree-lined streets. Street parking available. Frank Llo...
Paint Out: Green City Market
September 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Green City Market
This Lincoln Park farmer’s market, Green City Market, is located at 1817 N. Clark Street. We’l...
Paint Out: Gross Point Lighthouse (Sunday)
September 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Gross Point Lighthouse
Come to Evanston this Saturday to paint the well-preserved lighthouse that was built in 1873. The ...

October

Paint Out: Hyde Park
The Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House offers excellent perspective challenges. If that is not your thin...
October 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Robie House
Paint Out: Cardinal’s Residence, Gold Coast
A favorite painting site, the mansion is challenging with its arched entryway and multiple chimneys....
October 10 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Cardinal’s residence
Paint 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 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Little italy
Paint Out: Riverside (Sunday)
This quaint suburb is quiet on a Sunday, except for the train traffic! However, there are cafes, a r...
October 25 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Riverside IL

November