Plein Air Paint Outs
Paint outs are offered the first three Saturdays of each month. On the fourth weekend, we offer a Friday night nocturne and Sunday morning paint out. At least once a month, 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
April 8 @ 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 ...
Paint Out: Gold Coast area near Cardinal’s residence, 1526 N Astor Street
April 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Cardinal’s residenceA favorite painting site, the mansion is challenging with its arched entryway and multiple chimneys....
Paint Out: Dearborn Station, 47 West Polk Street
April 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Dearborn StationThis location offers the station with its clock tower and historic loft buildings. Once the center f...
Paint Out: Wagner Farm, Glenview, IL
April 30 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Wagner FarmNote: This paint out is on a Sunday. This is a treat as we leave the city and make our way to the hi...
May
Paint Out: Spirit of Music Garden
May 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Spirit of Music Gardens ParkWhatever you’re in the mood to paint you should find it on this paint out. Spirit of Music G...
Paint Out: Devon Ave, near Washtenaw/Western
May 13 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 2502 W DevonThink lively and colorful when you come to this paint out. Indian and Pakistani stores line this m...
Paint Out: Museum Campus/Field, Shedd, and Adler
May 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Field MuseumHooray for Chicago’s amazing museums. We are so fortunate to be able to set up our easels an...
Paint Out: Lincoln Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Zoo
May 28 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lincoln Park ConservatoryThe conservatory is a painting challenge! The gardens are beautiful and the fountain is a treat! If ...
June
Paint Out: Montrose Harbor
June 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Montrose Harbor, south sideMontrose Harbor is located on the northern edge of Lincoln Park, a short walk from Montrose Beach. ...
Paint Out: Hutchinson Historic District
June 10 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 600-800 Hutchinson StreetThis district’s mix of Prairie style designs and more traditional historical styles, such as C...
Paint Out: Armitage Avenue
June 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 1000 W ArmitageThis main street is almost exactly as it was in the 1800’s. Historic buildings with great de...
Paint Out: Spring Valley Nature Center/ Guest Artist: Frankie Johnson. This is a Sunday
June 25 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm CDT at Spring Valley Nature CenterOur guest artist for June is Frankie Johnson, Her colorful, energetic work includes landscape, fig...
July
Paint Out: Pilsen
July 1 @ 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...
Members Only: Critique with Frankie Johnson
July 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at zoomFrankie Johnson will critique members’ work via Zoom, July 5 at 7 pm. Submit one piece of work...
Paint Out: Evanston Church Street Plaza
July 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTLocated at the corner of Church Street and Maple Avenue on the western edge of Downtown Evanston, Il...
Paint Out: Bucktown Garden Walk
July 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at 1850 N. Hermitage AvenueBucktown Garden Walk presents excellent paint out opportunities. There are historic homes and many g...
Paint Out: Buckingham Fountain
July 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Buckingham FountainToday you’ll be able to paint one of Chicago’s iconic fountains. If you love cityscape...
Paint Out: Belmont Harbor. This is a Sunday
July 30 @ 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...
August
No paint out this week
August 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTThis is the perfect weekend to go back and paint at those locations you missed! The year end exhib...
Paint Out: Taylor Street
August 12 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Taylor Street and S Laflin StreetTaylor Street is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Chicago. From the late 1800s to about the...
Paint Out: Humboldt Park Boat House
August 19 @ 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: Michigan/Wacker Riverwalk. This is a Sunday paint out.
August 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Riverwalk under Wabash Bridge at WackerDue to the NASCAR race, we had to move our traditional July 4th weekend Riverwalk paint out to Augus...
September
Paint Out: Division Street Triangle/Mariano Park
September 2 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Division Street TriangleDivision Street Triangle (1031 N. State Street) is also known as Mariano Park, located in the hear...
Paint Out: Gross Point Lighthouse
September 9 @ 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. Th...
Paint Out: Old Town
September 16 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Twin Anchors RestaurantOld Town is a busy thriving neighborhood which offers us many choices. You can paint at Twin Ancho...
Paint Out: Chinatown Gate This is on a Sunday
September 24 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Chinatown GateChinatown promises to be a very exciting paint out full of buildings, people and lots of color. Th...
October
Paint Out: Green City Market
This Lincoln Park farmer’s market, Green City Market is located at 1817 N. Clark Street. ...
October 7 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Green City MarketPaiant Out: Graceland Cemetary This is on a Sunday
Important information. The main entrance to Graceland on Clark and Irving is still closed due to r...
October 29 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Graceland Cemetery
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.