Plein Air Grand Marais 2025

The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery is excited to announce our next gallery exhibit, which will feature work from Plein Air Grand Marais, now in its 23rd year. The annual tradition brings outdoor painters to Cook County for a week of painting, learning, and collaboration. The phrase "Plein Air" is a French term that translates to "in the open air," and it describes the practice of painting outdoors, capturing the changing light and atmosphere of the natural world.

The event, which is organized by Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, is a favorite fall activity for visitors and locals alike. It's designed to bring artists together to paint and provides artists’ opportunities to take part in outdoor painting. One popular part of the event is the Birney Quick Paint, a rapid-painting competition that is also a major spectator event, which will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., with judging afterwards at Artist’s Point in Grand Marais.

The upcoming exhibit will feature work from over 60 artists in the Competition Class, with last year’s winner, Neil Sherman, serving as the juror for the event. Each painter may submit up to four pieces.

An opening reception will take place on Friday, September 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at JHP.

The exhibit will run through Sunday, October 5.

JHP Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To see work from past Plein Air Grand Marais events, click here.