PleinAir magazine presents the ninth annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition. In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual competition, with six bi-monthly cycles leading to annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The competition rewards artists with $27,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir magazine.

It is our belief that cash prizes provide further inspiration and an avenue for artists to thrive and create new work by helping alleviate financial pressure.

Winners in each bi-monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletter, and social media. Winners of each bi-monthly competition will also be entered into the annual competition.

View Competition Rules

Annual Awards:

$21,000 in Annual Cash Awards

1st place

$15,000 cash prize
plus the cover of PleinAir magazine!

2nd place

$3,000 cash prize plus a feature
in the digital edition of PleinAir magazine

3rd place

$1,500 cash prize

Three honorable mention finalists: $500 cash prizes — total $1,500
Plus, all annual winners will be showcased in PleinAir magazine!

Bi-Monthly Awards:

$6,000 in Bi-Monthly Cash Awards

1st place

$1,000 cash prize

Categories (Subject Matter)

Because this competition is created by PleinAir magazine, which features not only plein air paintings, but also studio paintings, all types of paintings are eligible and do not need to have been completed in plein air, but should originate from a plein air study or plein air experience.  As we know, many studio paintings start with plein air sketches. Our interest is in rewarding great paintings.

There are 19 categories to submit a painting in.

Acrylic

Paintings can be of any subject matter in the acrylic medium

Oil

Paintings can be of any subject matter, but only in the oil medium

Pastel

Paintings can be of any subject matter, but only in the pastel medium

Watercolor & Gouache

Paintings can be of any subject matter, but only in the watercolor/gouache medium

FLORAL

Gardens, fields, or flowers, etc. (Plein air or studio work).

LANDSCAPE

Landscape or outdoor environment without figures, animals, or birds (plein air or studio work).

NOCTURNE-Sunrise-Sunset
Night scenes, sunrises, sunsets (plein air or studio work).
FIGURE & Portrait

Figures and portraits, including figures in the landscape (plein air or studio work)

OUTDOOR STILL LIFE

Table settings, garden ornaments, etc. (plein air or studio work).

WATER

Seascapes, coastal, marine, rivers, and streams, etc. (plein air or studio).

Animals & Birds

Animals or birds (plein air or studio work).

Western

Any painting featuring a Western theme, landscape or figure (plein air or studio work).

PLEIN AIR WORK ONLY

Must be completed en plein air, all subject matter eligible.

BUILDINGS

Cityscapes, farms, architectural elements (plein air or studio work).

Vehicles

Running or run-down (plein air or studio work).

Student

Any subject matter. Must provide proof of enrollment in a HS, College or Atelier program.

Artist under 30

Any subject matter. Must provide proof of age if selected as a winner.

ARTIST OVER 65

Any subject matter. Must provide proof of age if selected as a winner.

Drawing & Sketches

Any subject matter. Can include drawings, sketches, travel sketching, (any subject and medium including iPad sketching (plein air or studio work)

Bi-Monthly Competition Awards (22 winners each cycle).

Artist Profile in weekly PleinAir Today newsletter.

The winner in each of these categories is automatically entered into the annual Grand Prize competition.

Overall Winner

  • 1st Place Overall
  • 2nd Place Overall
  • 3rd Place Overall

Category Winners

  • Best Student Artist (age and school verification required)
  • Best Artist Under 30 (age verification required)
  • Best Artist Over 65 (age verification required)
  • Best Plein Air Work Only
  • Best Building
  • Best Figure & Portrait
  • Best Floral
  • Best Landscape
  • Best Nocturne, Sunrise, Sunset
  • Best Outdoor Still Life
  • Best Water
  • Best Vehicle
  • Best Drawing & Sketch
  • Best Animals and Birds
  • Best Western
  • Best Acrylic
  • Best Oil
  • Best Pastel
  • Best Watercolor

View Competition Rules