Laguna Plein Air Painters Association

Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational

Each year the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) presents a 9-day celebration of Laguna's rich artistic heritage with the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. Each year we invite 30 distinguished plein air artists to paint the town as they compete in one of the nation's most prestigious outdoor painting events. What to Expect: 1. Live Art in Action: Watch as masterpieces are created on-site outdoors. 2. Meet the Artists: Interact and engage with the nation's top painters. 3. Free Community Events: Enjoy painting demonstrations and art exhibitions. 4. Ticketed "Plein Talks" at the Museum: Q&As with our panel of Invitational Artists and Art Experts. 5. Collectors Gala pARTy: An exclusive ticketed event to view the newly created art and awards presentation. 6. Public Art Exhibition & Sale: A Plein Air Festival celebrating the paintings created during the week, purchase artwork, meet and engage with the artists, and watch live painting demonstrations. With the exception of the Gala and Museum Talks, events are free and open to the public. Your support helps sustain this artistic tradition into the future. We need to sustain fundraising efforts to continue this widely acclaimed fine-art event, and with increasing costs and the need for more outreach, requires us to increase our fundraising efforts.

Plein Air Project - The Now Generation

Empowering Artists & Enthusiasts: LPAPA's Adult Education Beyond our youth programs, LPAPA's Plein Air Project provides a robust multi-generational curriculum designed for artists and art lovers of all skill levels. Our year-round adult art and education programs foster artistic growth and community engagement through a variety of hands-on and thought-provoking experiences: 1. Mentor Paint Outs: Learn alongside professional artists in beautiful outdoor settings. 2. Plein Talk Lectures: Gain insights from master artists, art experts and historians. 3. Workshops & Community Outreach: Develop your skills and connect with a vibrant community. 4. Visual Arts: Explore the rich living history of plein air painting through our curated juried art shows. With an average of 18 programs presented annually, we are committed to providing continuous opportunities for learning and inspiration for our members and the broader community.

Plein Air Project - The Next Generation

LPAPA's Next Generation Program: Empowering College Artists Each year, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) invites young adults from local colleges to join our exclusive Next Generation Program. This unique program provides students with invaluable professional development and hands-on experience, bridging the gap between art student and professional artist. Students begin with a lecture on the history of plein air painting, followed by a live demonstration and one-on-one mentoring from top professional artists. Their journey culminates at the annual Next Generation Paint Out, where they get to put their new skills to the test. The incredible artwork created by the students is then featured in a gallery exhibition on the walls of the LPAPA Gallery in Laguna Beach. The top four artists receive scholarship awards and are celebrated at our annual Collectors Gala pARTy, giving them an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their work to an audience of top fine art collectors. Through this program, LPAPA provides emerging artists with the tools, mentorship, and exposure they need to build their resume and launch their careers.

Plein Air Project - Annual Future Generation Paint Out

Fostering the Future Generation of Artists The future of plein air painting is in the hands of our youth, the future generation. Each year, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) invites nearly 100 local students, grades 4 through 12, to participate in a special plein air paint out. They are personally mentored by our professional artists, who guide them as they create their own plein air masterpieces. To ensure their artistic journey continues, each student receives a painting set-up—complete with an easel, paints, and brushes—to keep after the event. The beautiful artwork created on-site is then proudly displayed on the walls of our Laguna Beach LPAPA gallery. Through this program, students not only discover their creative voice but also contribute to their schools. All student paintings are available for purchase with a suggested donation of $50, and 100% of the proceeds are given directly to the participating schools.

The Plein Air Project - The Future Generation

LPAPA's Plein Air Project: A 4-Part Education Program LPAPA's Plein Air Project is a hands-on education program designed to align with fourth-grade California history studies. Our mission is to educate and inspire young students through the art of plein air painting. This unique, four-part curriculum brings students on a creative journey through: 1. In-Class Introduction: Students are introduced to the history of plein air painting by a professional artist. 2. Live Painting Demonstration: Artists provide an up-close demonstration of the painting process, allowing students to see how a piece comes to life. 3. Exhibition Tour: A field trip to a local museum or gallery offers a direct look at historical and/or contemporary California Impressionism. 4. Outdoor Painting Experience: The students become artists themselves in a plein air field trip, equipped with their own easel and painting supplies, and receive personal mentoring from professional artists. The program's budget is based on four classes of 40 students each, and covers all materials, artist instruction, and administration.