2026 Plein Air Grand Marais brings artists and art lovers to Cook County

A sign of the changing seasons is near; painters will soon be scattered across Cook County and Grand Portage, painting "in the open air" for the 2026 Plein Air Grand Marais (PAGM). The competition week runs from September 11 to 17, 2026. Organized by the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) and hosted by the Cook County Historical Society’s Johnson Heritage Post (JHP) Art Gallery, PAGM is a community-supported, artist-organized event welcoming painters of all ages and skill levels. Since 2008, the gathering has brought artists together for a week of painting, learning, competition, and camaraderie.

Artists have the opportunity to enter the Competition Exhibit, which is limited to 60 participants. These painters create pieces during the week and choose up to six to be displayed in the main gallery exhibit at JHP. The 2026 Juror is Lisa K. Stauffer. An opening reception and awards ceremony will take place at JHP on September 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., which is free and open to the public. (Volunteers are needed to help make this popular event a success. Learn more at https://signup.com/go/waEJiGv.) New this year, the exhibition has been extended and will remain on display through November 1.

Alternatively, artists can join the Open Class division. This option is ideal for those who want to focus on educational workshops, are new to PAGM, or prefer not to commit to producing 4 to 6 paintings during the competition period. Open Class participants can display one original painting created during the week for a casual awards ceremony on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Marais Campground Rec Hall. Hosted by the OPM, this event is free and open to the public.

Other noteworthy events include:

● Off-the-Easel Painting Sale: Hosted by the OPM, artists will create and immediately sell fresh artwork "off the easel." This event takes place on Thursday, September 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Grand Marais Harbor Park.

● Birney Quick Paint: Hosted by JHP, this event challenges artists to complete a plein air painting in just 90 minutes. It takes place along Artist’s Point in Grand Marais on Thursday, September 17, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is named after influential local artist and educator Birney Quick, who co-founded the Grand Marais Outdoor School of Painting (later renamed the Grand Marais Art Colony).

To learn more about JHP, visit: cookcountyhistory.org/johnson-heritage-post-art-gallery or about the OPM, here: outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org/plein-air-grand-marais