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

  • Asia on Argyle Paint Out

    April 3, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm UTC+0 at Asia on Argyle Paint Out

    The first Paint Out of the Season! Restrooms available at Tai Nam Food Market, 4925 N. Broadway.

  • Paint Out: Ping Tom Memorial Park Pagoda

    April 10, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Ping Tom Memorial Park

    Enter path at W 19th and S Wells St. This park in the Chinatown neighborhood has a pagoda, industria...

  • Critique with Guest Artist Clayton Beck III (Members Only)

    April 14, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at PAPC Members Only Virtual Event

    Chicago artist and renowned instructor Clayton Beck III will critique members’ work. Paintings...

  • Paint Out: Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park

    April 17, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Spirit of Music Garden Grant Park

    Located east of South Michigan Avenue and north of East Balbo Drive. Several hotels nearby for restr...

  • Paint Out/Nocturne: The Music Box Theatre

    April 23, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm CDT at Music Box Theatre

    The first nocturne of the season at the historic Music Box Theatre. Location includes the beautiful ...

  • Paint Out: North Pond Natural Area

    April 25, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at North Pond Natural Area

    Please note, this paint out is on a Sunday. The meeting place is at a spot between the nearest restr...

May

June

July

August

  • Critique with Guest Artist Nancie King Mertz (members only)

    August 4, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at zoom

    Join us to have your paintings critiqued by Chicago’s very talented artist Nancie King Mertz.Â...

  • Paint Out: The Green Mill and Historic Theatres

    August 7, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Green Mill

    We will be meeting in front of the Green Mill Jazz Club at 4802 N Broadway Avenue.  Now 100 years ...

  • Paint Out: Andersonville

    August 14, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Andersonville

    Andersonville is Chicago’s original Swedish neighborhood. The landmark water tower painted wit...

  • Paint Out: Buckingham Fountain

    August 21, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Buckingham Fountain

    The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain is a Chicago Landmark in the center of Grant Park. Dedicat...

  • Paint Out/Nocturne: Wrigley Field

    August 27, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at Wrigley Field

    What is more iconic Chicago than a painting of Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs? The lit up exterior ...

  • Paint Out: Edgewater Beach Apartments Garden

    August 29, 2021 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm CDT at Edgewater Beach Apartments

    For those of you who painted the Pink Lady earlier in the season, the building will open its garden ...

September

October

  • Paint Out: Grosse Point Lighthouse and Harley Clarke Mansion

    The Grosse Point Lighthouse in Evanston offers the opportunity to paint this historic landmark, beac...

    October 2, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Grosse Point Lighthouse

  • Paint Out: North Park Village Nature Center

    If you’re ready to fine tune your landscape painting skills then today’s paint out is fo...

    October 9, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at North Park Nature Preserve

  • Paint Out: Prairie Avenue Historic District

    Prairie Avenue was once the street where the elite of Chicago lived. Today, several mansions have be...

    October 16, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Glessner House

  • PaintOut / Nocturne: The Logan Theatre

      The Logan Theatre opened in 1915 as the Paramount Theatre, a single-screen cinema. … I...

    October 22, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at The Logan Theatre

  • Paint Out: Washington Square Park

    Washington Square Park contains a lovely fountain with a view on the north towards the Newberry Libr...

    October 24, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Washington Square Park

  • Paint Out: Graceland Cemetery

    Graceland Cemetery is a large historic garden cemetery located in the north side community area of U...

    October 30, 2021 @ 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 $75 a year.
$50 for students with I.D. & current enrollment. 

Membership Registration

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