Competition – July 20th-26th

Opening Reception – July 26th 6-8pm

Exhibit Open – July 26th-August 30th

What is Plein Air?

Representational landscape drawings or paintings made in real time outdoors –

Hundreds of Plein Air art competitions occur nationally every year. In these competitions, artist’s have a set time frame to create work & submit pieces to a juried exhibition where they compete to win prizes & recognition. For many artist, the Plein Air world is their full time job; traveling hundreds of miles to compete across the country and exploring the intense diversity of our land.

What to expect from Plein Air MT 2025…

Thirty artist from across the country have been invited to participate in this week long painting competition in Bozeman, Montana between July 20th-26th with a large opening reception on July 26th from 6-8pm. Artist’s will live in Bozeman for the week and paint the local views, buildings, mountains, & rivers of Gallatin & Park counties. Recommended painting spots for the artists, public events, additional opportunities to participate (volunteer support or local artist quick draw participation), & ways to meet our competing artists will be available on our schedule below. All work will be for sale online and in-person at BAM through the end of August.

2025 Painting Schedule

Full Schedule to be announced here…

Competition – July 20th-26th

Quick Draw – Open to local artist participation – July 26th, 9 am-12 pm

Opening Reception – July 26th, 6-8pm

2025 Workshop Schedule

Bozeman Public Library Plein Air Pastel Workshop – Drop in class for kids, no sign up required, July 18th, 12:30-2:00pm

Eagle Mount Plein Air Pastel Workshop – July 23rd & August 15th (Special workshop for Eagle Mount Participants, see their page for more information)

3 Day Adult Watercolor Plein Air Workshop with participating Artist: Fred Kingwill, July 28th, 29th, 30th 9am-4pm, $475 Sign ups available soon

2024 Winners

Want to get involved but not a professional artist?

Please feel welcome to attend any of the event’s listed above to see our artist work in person! We also have opportunities for volunteers, local non-competing artist, kids who are looking for classes, & VIP access to events. Please visit our volunteer page or email emlyn@bozemanartmuseum.org to see how you can be involved in PAM ’25.

Interested in sponsoring Plein Air Montana?

Check out our sponsorship page for more info or contact emlyn@bozemanartmuseum.org. Join current sponsors Western Art & Architecture, Plein Air Magazine, Lake Flato Architects, & Montana Trails Gallery to elevate the Plein Air community, help us host new & exciting events for 2025, & help bring free Plein Air class programming to Gallatin Valley. In kind sponsorships of art supplies, photo/video support, or additional volunteer help are greatly appreciated!

The Bozeman Art Museum has been hosting Plein Air Montana since 2021. Check out our past events and schedules to learn more.