Paint the Town: En Plein Air Festival

The City of Ottawa Arts Committee announces the first annual Paint the Town: En Plein Air Festival in Ottawa, IL. Plein air artists are invited to capture picturesque scenes in this city nestled 80 miles southwest of Chicago. With its beautifully landscaped downtown, historic churches, architecture, vibrant public parks, and waterfront views framed by the confluence of the Illinois and Fox Rivers, Ottawa offers diverse settings for outdoor painting.

The festival runs over three days, September 12-14, 2025. On Friday, September 12, guided bus tours are available at 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM to explore scenic spots and painting locations. Saturday, September 13 is dedicated to all-day painting; artists may set up anywhere within Ottawa city limits. On Sunday, September 14, completed artwork must be submitted by 8:00 AM for judging, followed by the Awards Exhibition and Winner Announcements at 10:00 AM at Nell's Woodland, with an Arts Day celebration at 11:00 AM.

Artists compete for $5,000 in prizes: Grand Prize ($2,000), First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($600), Third Place ($400), and Best Medium Awards ($250 each) for Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor, and Drawing. All artwork must be created on location during the festival using any traditional plein air medium. Artists may paint multiple pieces but may submit only one per artist for judging. There is no entry fee. An artist statement is required. Artists must be available to create work on Saturday, September 13; travel and accommodation stipends are not available. Artists receive a 50% commission on sales, with 7% tax applied at checkout. A festival stamp must be visible on the back of artwork. Unsold artwork must be retrieved by the artist by 3:00 PM Sunday; artists are responsible for shipping fees if they are no longer in the area. Any artwork remaining more than 60 days after the event will be considered a donation to the Arts Committee.