2026 Adirondack Plein Air Festival

The 2026 Adirondack Plein Air Festival, the 18th edition sponsored by Saranac Lake ArtWorks, takes place August 17-22, 2026 in the historic village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. The festival features 5 days of outdoor painting with special activities including a Nocturne Contest, Meet the Artists Reception, "Paint the Town" Silent Auction, Preview Party, Quick Draw Competition, and a Show & Sale on August 21-22. Forty artists will be selected to participate, along with 10 alternates. Ten additional artists who apply but are not selected will be invited to attend as Guest Artists.

Eligibility is open to all plein air painters 18 years and older. Registration is $40 through OnlineJuriedShows and requires submission of 3 plein air paintings as jpg images under 4 mb (minimum 1920 pixels on longest side @ 72 dpi). Registration opens February 1 and closes April 15, 2026, with notifications sent by April 22. Artists must accept participation by May 22. Awards Juror and Workshop Presenter is Cynthia Rosen, an award-winning plein air painter. Three selection jurors, all accomplished plein air artists from different regions, will jury the work. Over $5,000 in awards will be given in cash and merchandise.

Saranac Lake ArtWorks handles all sales with a 35% commission applied to sales, except for the "Paint the Town" Silent Auction where artists may choose 50% of the final bid or donate 100%. Artists selling "off the easel" should submit their 35% commission via cash or check. Checks for sales will be remitted within 2 weeks after the Show & Sale concludes. A 2-day plein air workshop with Cynthia Rosen is available August 15-16 for $300 ($50 deposit required) and is open to both accepted festival artists and non-participants. Lodging information and lists of area accommodations will be provided to accepted artists. Artists must provide their own transportation to Saranac Lake, NY. Contact: [email protected] or 888-666-1351. Full details at saranaclakeartworks.org.