SLC Arts “Art in the Open” Plein Air Festival 2026

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!

📅 May 1 | 📍 SUNY Potsdam Quad (near the Barrington Student Union)
🎨 All ages welcome | Free to attend

Join St. Lawrence County Arts Council and the LoKo Arts Festival for the official kickoff of our Plein Air Festival season! This all-ages, outdoor art day invites students, educators, college artists, and community members to create art on-site and celebrate creativity in real time.

What is plein air?
Plein air is the practice of creating artwork outdoors, directly from the landscape or environment around you. Artists respond to light, color, movement, and place — capturing a moment as it unfolds.

Event Schedule

8:00am – Stamping begins
9:00am–1:00pm – Painting session (Student Group Arrival & Instruction)
By 1:00pm – Artwork due for Plein Air Showcase consideration
3:00–4:30pm – Public Showcase & viewing
People’s Choice voting ends at 4:00pm
4:30pm – Awards & Prizes

Awards

Best SUNY Potsdam Scene
People’s Choice
Best in Student (by grade range)
Most LoKo Spirit

Who Should Participate

4–12 teachers & school groups (class visits encouraged!)
College students
Community members & families

Student groups who register by March 20 will receive supplies.

Public school groups may choose watercolor or oil pastel instruction
College students can visit a dedicated area focused on urban sketching–style plein air

Artwork created on May 1 may be included in the Plein Air Showcase and participants will have the opportunity to register for the full Plein Air Festival, May 27–31, culminating in a public exhibition with sales in Waddington. (No sales will take place on May 1.)

Teachers: Please contact SUNY Potsdam at steverma@potsdam.edu to arrange class participation.

Full 2026 Schedule:

Friday, May 1st – Plein Air Festival Kick-off with the LoKo Festival at SUNY Potsdam
Stamping available Tuesday, May 26th – Saturday, May 30th during store hours at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center
Thursday, May 28th – Paint the Town Day
Friday, May 29th – Community Sunset Plein Air Mixer – open to artists and the public
Sunday, May 31st – Opening Reception at the Waddington Old Town Hall

(More information on all events to be added soon.)

Click here to register! Early bird registration available until March 31st.

2025 Plein Air Festival Winners

Becky Harblin Memorial Award: Vanessa Vaverchak

Adults:
1st place – Dominique Lavoie, watch out for her piece in the St. Lawrence County Chamber 2026 Visitor Guide!
2nd place – Jennifer Sampson
3rd place – Harley Shattuck

Children:
1st place –Natale Vaverchak
2nd place – Lydia Vaverchak
3rd place – Louisa Grev

Celestial Mixer Quick Draw – Patty VanPatten

Paint Your Town Award winners (from left to right):
John Miller
Patty VanPatten
Jennifer Sampson
Allison Montroy
Vanessa Vaverchak

Thank you to every artist who participated and helped make this festival a successful celebration of art and nature in St. Lawrence County. We’re so proud to recognize your achievements. Well done!

Stay inspired! We can’t wait to see you again next year!

Stay tuned for information on next year’s Plein Air Festival happening in May 2026

A Huge Thank You to Our 2025 Plein Air Festival Sponsors!

We are incredibly grateful to the Baudenhausen Legacy Fund through the Northern New York Community Foundation and the St. Lawrence County Chamber for their generous support of the 2025 Plein Air Festival!