Sedona Arts Center's 21st Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival

The Sedona Plein Air Festival takes place October 20-26, 2025, during the best weather period of the year at the height of tourist season. As one of the oldest continuously running Plein Air Festivals in the western US, the festival is supported by experienced and enthusiastic staff and volunteers. Please note that this year's festival is almost entirely by invitation, with up to five slots available for juried-in artists.

A minimum of $13,000 in awards will be presented throughout the week. Guerilla Painter and Golden Artist Colors/Williamsburg Oils and others will provide gift certificates and products. The festival schedule includes orientation and canvas stamping on Monday, October 20; paint outs at DA Ranch and a private residence; artist awards with a special guest judge on Saturday, October 25; and artist games and community paint out on Sunday, October 26.

Eligibility is open to professional artists, 18 or older, with substantial plein air painting experience. Applicants must submit 5-10 high resolution images of their best plein air paintings, along with biography, artist statement, and relevant plein air painting experience including previous festival participation and awards. Entry fee is $30, which will be subtracted from the $150 festival participation fee if selected. If selected to participate, all entries must be available for purchase with a sale price determined by the artist. Sedona Arts Center retains a 40% commission on all sales, with payment occurring in the month following the sale.