Plein Air Paint Outs

DUE TO COVID-19 our scheduled Paint Outs have changed and critiques are now made virtually. Please check the PAPC Facebook Events Page for most up to date information and cancellations. See the EVENTS & EXHIBITS page for details of each paint out, maps, and registration for Members Only Critiques.

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.

Downloadable Personal Safety and Packing List

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

April

  • Museum Campus/ Field, Shedd, Adler

    April 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Museum Campus

    Hooray for Chicago’s amazing museums.  We are fortunate tp be able to set up out easels and p...

  • Roscoe Village

    April 13 @ 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 Stree...

  • Dearborn Station

    April 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Dearborn Station

    This location offers the station with its clock tower and historic loft buildings. Once the center f...

  • Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park South, This is on a Sunday

    April 28 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Spirit of Music Garden Grant Park

    Whatever you’re in the mood to paint, you should find it at this paint out. Spirit of Music Garden...

May

  • Andersonville

    May 4 @ 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 ...

  • Hutchinson Historic District

    May 11 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Hutchinson Historic District

    This district’s mix of Prairie style designs and more traditional historical styles, such as Class...

  • Belmont Harbor

    May 18 @ 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...

  • Gold Coast/ Cardinal’s Residence This is on a Sunday

    May 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Cardinal’s residence

    A favorite painting site, the mansion is challenging with its arched entryway and multiple chimneys....

June

  • Loop near Chicago Theatre

    June 1 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Loop

    This is a fun day for iconic buildings and people.  The Chicago Theater offers an iconic marquee, a...

  • Bucktown

    June 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Bucktown

    A good meeting spot is St. Mary of the Angels church, at the corner of N. Wood St. And W. Cortland S...

  • Montrose Harbor

    June 15 @ 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. W...

  • Lincoln Park Conservatory

    June 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Lincoln Park Conservatory

    The conservatory is a painting challenge! The gardens are beautiful and the fountain is a treat! If ...

  • Riverwalk

    June 29 @ 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 a ...

July

  • Paintout: Old Town

    July 6 @ 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 Anchors...

  • Paintout: Dempster Avenue, Evanston

    July 13 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Dempster and Chicago Avenue, Evaanston

    Dempster and Chicago Avenue. This paint out happens during the Evanston Plein Air Festival. Dempster...

  • Paintout: Humboldt Park. This paintout is on a Sunday

    July 28 @ 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 ...

August

  • Paintout: Little Italy/Taylor Street

    August 10 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Little italy

    Taylor Street is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Chicago. From the late 1800s to about the...

  • Paintout: Buckingham Fountain

    August 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Buckingham Fountain

    The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus D...

September

There are no upcoming events.

October

There are no upcoming events.

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. 

Membership Registration