SLC Plein Air Festival 2025

St. Lawrence County has long been known as a wonderful, wild, and beautiful landscape that serves as inspiration for numerous artists, writers, and musicians. With beauty, history, farm land, sparkling streams, and friendly locals, St. Lawrence County boasts many scenic opportunities for experienced and emerging artists.

The SLC Plein Air Festival is truly for everyone who enjoys the art of Plein Air. It is the only Plein Air festival in the North Country with kids and adult categories, offering kid-friendly events and instruction from professional painters. No Kids? Enjoy our 21+ Celestial painting event for adults only. Not a painter? Not to worry. Spectators are welcome to witness the creative process unfold amid the classic St. Lawrence surroundings. Follow the schedule below to find out what events are being held. Afterward, don’t miss the show and sale at the end of the event, where you can take home a picture-perfect memory of your time in St. Lawrence County!

2025 SLC Plein Air Festival Scheduled Events

Painting Dates: May 14th – 18th

Special Events :

Paint the Town Day – May 15th All Day

Join us for Paint the Town Day on May 15th, a community-wide celebration of art and creativity. Artists of all levels are invited to paint urban scenes anywhere in St. Lawrence County, capturing the unique character and charm of our towns and villages. Whether it’s a historic building, a bustling street, or a quiet café, this is a chance to showcase the beauty of our local landscapes through art.

Participants will have the chance to win one of 12 gift card prizes from local businesses!!

Looking to refine your skills before the event? Jennifer Sampson’s Urban Sketching class on May 1st in Garner Park (rain date: May 2nd) offers the perfect opportunity to learn techniques from a professional artist. This class will provide guidance on capturing urban scenes quickly and effectively, helping artists of all experience levels prepare for Paint the Town Day.

21+ Celestial Painting and Community Mixer – May 16th from 6 – 9 PM

Join us for an enchanting evening of Celestial Plein Air Painting and Community Mixer at Canton Apple on May 16th from 6 – 9 PM. This 21+ event invites you to mingle with community and/or paint under the night sky, soak in the beauty of the stars, and connect with fellow art lovers in a relaxed outdoor setting.

For just $12 presale/$15 at the door per person, enjoy a creative night of painting, conversation, and community. Alcoholic beverages will be available to enhance the experience, making it the perfect way to unwind and express your artistic side. Canton Apples will have cider varieties (including hard cider) available. Whether you’re an experienced painter or just looking for a fun and unique night out, this event is for you.

Plein Air Session for Kids – Saturday, May 17 in Garner Park (Potsdam)

Join SLC Arts as we celebrate plein air and our youngest participants! Jennifer Sampson will lead two free one-hour sessions in Garner Park at 9:00am and 10:00am, guiding kids through the basics of plein air all while using a pizza box easel.

Kids will learn the basics of outdoor painting using a pizza box easel! A fun and creative way to explore the world of art in nature. No experience necessary, and all materials will be provided!

Quick Draw prizes will be available for kids and teens! Quick Draw winners will be chosen after the last morning session.

Any child registered for the festival has the chance to win a prize after participating in one of Jennifer’s sessions.
After the drawing is done, stop by the Creative Spirit to grab some treats from our bake sale to fuel up for the day!

After the sessions, stop by the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center for our bake sale, featuring sweet treats to fuel your creativity all day.

Let’s inspire the next generation of artists, one brushstroke at a time!

Plein air Stamping

Please be sure to get all your blank canvases or surfaces stamped for FREE at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center,

6-8 Raymond Street, Potsdam,

Monday – Thursday 10 – 4, Friday 10 – 5, Saturday 10 – 4

Exhibition and Sales – May 18th from 4 – 6 PM

At Waddington Town Hall

Award Ceremony – May 18th at 5:30 PM

Many, many prizes to win! Check out our list of prizes below!

Artists and their families are welcome to attend this free event and view the artwork created during the festival! Artists must be present to receive an award.

Prizes

Adults

1st place – $300
& printing in the St. Lawrence County Chamber 2026 Visitor Guide
2nd place – $200
3rd place – $100

Teens

1st place – $100
2nd place – $50
3rd place – $25

Children

1st place – SLC Arts Summer Camp spot
2nd place – art supply basket
3rd place – art supply basket

Celestial Mixer Quick Draw – $50

Paint Your Town Awards – 12 awards available!

Participants will have the chance to win one of 12 gift card prizes from local businesses!!

Includes gift cards from:
Sweet Emilie’s in Ogdensburg
Norwood News Cafe
Fourth Coast Cafe in Massena
Breggs Winery in Norfork
Thai Smile in Canton

Registration

Non-juried, all levels and ages are welcome to participate! There will be an Adult and a Children’s (under 18) division with separate prizes for each.

FEES: $30 per adult individual early bird registration by April 1st. $40 per adult individual registration (Creative Partners use code PLEINAIR at checkout for discount) $10 For Teens, and $5 for children.

Please be sure to follow the check out link to purchase your registration. Your registration is not complete until we have received payment via Shopify or other payment arrangements have been made. If you would like to pay in-person or via USPS using cash or check, please email harley@slcartscouncil.org.

Locations:

Anywhere in St. Lawrence County

Art Showcase and Awards

At Waddington Town Hall

May 18th, 4-6pm

Award Ceremony – May 18th at 5:30 PM

Artists and their families are welcome to attend this free event and view the artwork created during the festival! Artists must be present to receive an award.

More Information on Award Prizes coming soon!

Hanging of Artwork

By May 18th at 1 – 3 PM

Artwork must be framed (wrapped canvas is allowed) and wired for hanging (no sawtooth hangers), labeled on the back with title, artist’s name, and price or NFS (not for sale).

Artists may bring up to 5 pieces for entry into the competition.

Artist must hang their own Artwork by 3pm at at Waddington Town Hall

Picking Up Artwork

Pick up – May 18th after the Art Showcase

Artists may take their work home from the exhibition on the evening of May 18th, after the conclusion of the showcase exhibit. If they are unable to attend, they may pick up their artwork from SLC Arts at a later date during open hours.

Sales During the Showcase

–Consistent with our shop policies, Artists that are Creative Partners with SLC Arts will keep 70% of the sales price, SLC Arts will keep 30%. Artists that are not Creative Partners will keep 60% of the sales price, SLC Arts will keep 40%.

-SLC Arts will handle sales tax collection and remission through online store sales.

-Any artwork sold “off the easel” before the exhibit will be subject to SLC Arts’ commission. Sold artwork can still be displayed during the showcase and entered into the competition, if possible.

-Artists who do not wish to sell their work must still provide an estimate of value for insurance purposes during the exhibit.

NOTE: Artists may enter up to 5 works in the competition. Artwork must have been drawn/painted en plein air during the festival painting days, and must be properly framed and wired for hanging. Artists are not required to paint every day of the festival. Any subject matter is allowed, so long as it was drawn/painted outdoors from life.