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

May

June

July

  • Paint Out: Pilsen

    July 1 @ 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...

  • Members Only: Critique with Frankie Johnson

    July 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT at zoom

    Frankie 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 CDT

    Located 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 Avenue

    Bucktown 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 Fountain

    Today 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 Harbor

    Belmont 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 CDT

    This 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 Street

    Taylor 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 House

    This 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 Wacker

    Due 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 Triangle

    Division 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 Lighthouse

    Come 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 Restaurant

    Old 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 Gate

    Chinatown promises to be a very exciting paint out full of buildings, people and lots of color.  Th...

  • Paint Out: Green City Market

    September 30 @ 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. ...

October

  • Paint Out: Roscoe Village

    This is a new one for our Plein Air group.  Roscoe Village is a family friendly neighborhood and pr...

    October 7 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at West Roscoe Street and N. Damen Avenue

  • Paint Out: Miami Woods

    The autumn colors should be in full force, offering wonderful landscape opportunities. There are ope...

    October 14 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Miami Woods Forest Preserve

  • Paint Out: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Oak Park Historic District

    This is a new venue for us.  Oak Park offers great architecture amid lush tree lined streets. Stree...

    October 21 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT at Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

  • Paint Out: Graceland Cemetery 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. 

Membership Registration

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