Carrying forward the tradition of painting from life

Welcome to a website where an age-old technique is put into contemporary practice!

The Plein-Air Painters of America is a small group of accomplished professionals who are dedicated to painting on-location. Since organizing in 1986 to exhibit wet-paint artworks in Catalina, PAPA put plein-air painting on the national stage, spawning seedlings that have flourished across the country. Today, PAPA exhibits in the finest museums across the nation.

EXHIBITIONS: Whether working outdoors or from field studies in the studio, PAPA Members explore and respond to the timeless beauty that surrounds us all. View PAPA member works firsthand in our upcoming exhibitions listed below: Celebrating Summer at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin, pays homage to the joys and pleasures of our favorite time of the year. And American Legacy, our exhibition documenting more than 35 units within our national park system, continues to get rave reviews as it travels to Logan, Kansas.

AWARDS: We are very proud to share that the 2013 PAPA Lifetime Achievement Award went to our founder Denise Burns. Announced by John Cosby at the Plein Air Convention in Monterey, the notice was a fitting conclusion to several days of artists reveling in an art form that Denise helped call to the attention of artists and collectors across the country. Please see our press release announcement.

HOW-TO VIDEOS: The much anticipated PAPA DVD Series is now available. The first three videos on Ken Auster, John Cosby and Don Demers can be purchased at Streamline Premium Art Video.You'll be amazed at what you can learn about painting street scenes, nautical views, and plein-air impressionism.  Check out our press release for more information.

NEWSLETTER & SOCIAL MEDIA: PAPA members are always engaged in the museum and gallery events across the country. View their activities in this month's newsletter or stay in touch with us on PAPA's Facebook page, which updates member art and activities on a daily basis.

Come back often to see what's new!

-- Gil Dellinger, PAPA President

CELEBRATING SUMMER
June 21 to August 25, 2013
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin
More than 80 paintings by members and guest artists.
View the entire exhibition by clicking here.
Or learn more in the Press Room
(Below: Christopher Blossom, Maine Sunset, oil, 9x12)

AMERICAN LEGACY--OUR NATIONAL PARKS
Through June 16, 2013
Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum, Logan Kansas
To learn about future venues please visit the Press Room.
A 92-page color catalog illustrates all the artworks in the exhibition.
(Below: Scott Burdick, Mabry Mill Blue Grass, oil, 11x14, Blue Ridge Parkway)