Image credit: Laura Gable – Reflections of Autumn’s Glow

2026 En Plein Air Competition

Official Prospectus

Stand-Alone Event during the Wallowa Valley Arts Festival

Call to Artists 

The Josephy Center for Arts & Culture (JCAC) invites plein air artists to apply for the 2026 En Plein Air Competition, presented in collaboration with the 43rd Annual Wallowa Valley Arts Festival. This juried competition is open to the first 50 artists to register and takes place during one of Eastern Oregon’s premier arts events.

Artists will spend five days painting on location throughout Wallowa County, capturing the dramatic landscapes, historic towns, and rural beauty of the region. With over $3,500 in awards, the competition celebrates fresh, original plein air work created during the event.

Painting begins Saturday, September 12, with completed works exhibited in the Josephy Center’s new upstairs gallery. A Friday Quick Hang on September 18 leads directly into the Opening Night Reception and Awards Ceremony at 7 PM, marking the official debut of both the En Plein Air exhibition and the Wallowa Valley Arts Festival.

The weekend continues with free public gallery hours, a lively Quick Draw event featuring food and live music, and strong community engagement. Participating artists are also invited to contribute to the popular Small Works Show, running Friday evening through Sunday at 2 PM, offering additional sales opportunities and collector access.

Plein air artists from near and far are encouraged to join this reimagined celebration of art, landscape, and creative community in the heart of the Wallowa Valley.

Competition Overview

Saturday – Sunday September 12-20, 2026

Josephy Center for Arts & Culture 

403 N. Main St., Joseph, OR 97846

Entry Fee: $50
Capacity: Limited to 50 artists

Eligibility:
Open to all plein air artists. Participants must complete at least two (2) and up to four (4) paintings during the competition on stamped blank surfaces. This juried competition is open to the first 50 artists to register. Include a brief bio or artist statement (150 words max).

Artwork Requirements

• Maximum size: 16 × 20 inches
• Must be framed, wall-ready, and for sale
• All work must be completed during the event timeframe

Important Notes (Please Read)

• All accepted artwork must be for sale
• Prices are final after submission
  • Please factor framing, printing, shipping, and commission
• Commission:
  • 30% on Exhibit Sales & Quick Draw
  • 50% on Small Works Sale (optional)

For complete rules and policies, refer to the full prospectus below.

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Key Dates & Schedule – 2026

Friday, May 1 | 12:00 AM PDT
Registration Opens

Friday, July 31 | 11:59 PM PDT
Registration Closes
(or when 50 artists are accepted)

Saturday, September 12 | 10 AM–5 PM
En Plein Air Check-In & Kickoff
• Stamping of blank surfaces
• Artist packet pickup
• Loan agreement signing

Friday, September 18 | 11 AM–1 PM
Quick Finish & Hanging (Artists Only)
• Finalize, frame, and hang work
• Turn in loan agreements and title card tally forms
• Artists must exit the building by 1 PM
• Judging begins at 1 PM
(Not open to the public)

Friday, September 18 | 7–10 PM
Opening Night Reception & Awards (Ticketed)
• En Plein Air awards announced
• Fine Art Show & Small Works Sale open

Saturday, September 19 | 10 AM–5 PM
Public Exhibit Hours (with Live Music)

Saturday, September 19 | 1–4 PM
Quick Draw Event (Optional)
Mt. Joseph Lodge Gardens
(See Quick Draw section for details)

Sunday, September 20 | 10 AM–2 PM
Public Exhibit Hours 

Sunday, September 20 | 2 PM
Buyers Pick Up Purchased Artwork

Sunday, September 20 | 2:30–4 PM
Artist Pick-Up of Unsold Artwork
(Excludes works in extended exhibition)

Saturday, October 3 | 10 AM–4 PM
Extended Exhibition Artwork Pick-Up
(Artwork with return labels will be shipped by October 17)

Awards – $3,550 Total

• Best of Show – $1,000
• Second Place – $800
• Third Place – $500
• Honorable Mentions (2) – $250 each
• Best Nocturne (Night Painting) – $250
• Best Use of Light & Color – $250
• People’s Choice Award – $250
  (Voted by attendees and participating artists)

Judge – 2026

A new judge is selected annually. Awards are determined at the judge’s discretion, except People’s Choice awards which are tallied by popular vote on Sunday after check out. 

2026 Judge: TBD
Details coming soon!

Artwork Check-In & Artist Packet

Saturday, September 12 | 10 AM–5 PM

Artists will:

• Check in
• Stamp blank painting surfaces
• Sign loan agreements
• Receive artist packets

Artist Packet Includes:

• Five blank title cards
• Title card tally form
• One ticket to the Opening Night Reception
• Two beverage tickets
• Name tag & lanyard
• Event program

Opening Night Reception

Friday, September 18 | 7–10 PM

Celebrate the festival opening with artists, live music, hors d’oeuvres, wine, and awards announcements.

• Attire: Business casual to formal (your choice)
• Optional Paint Palette Party theme encouraged*
• Artists receive one ticket; additional tickets available for purchase at josephy.org
• Event often sells out—early purchase recommended

*For those who’d like to join in a bit of creative fun, this year we’re also offering an optional Paint Palette Party theme! Feel free to wear a monochromatic outfit in a color you love! 

Quick Draw Event (Optional)

Best Quick Draw Painting Award – $200
Saturday, September 19 | 1–4 PM
Mt. Joseph Lodge Gardens

Selected artists complete a finished artwork in 90 minutes, en plein air, memory or reference photos may be used, with artwork sold by silent auction. Live local music accompanies the event.

Schedule

• 1–2 PM: Artist setup
• 1:30–3:30 PM: Live music
• 2–3:30 PM: 90-minute Quick Draw
• 3:30–3:45 PM: Stop work / framing
• 4 PM: Bidding closes; buyers take artwork home

Commission: 30% on all Quick Draw sales

Small Works Sale (Optional)

Accepted artists may participate in the Festival Small Works Sale, replacing the Silent Auction. Supporting future Arts Festivals.

• Up to two (2) original artworks per artist
• Artist-set pricing, maximum $200 per piece
• Size: 4×4 minimum, 8×10 maximum
• Must be wall-ready and meet display standards
• No jury submission required
• 50% artist / 50% festival commission
• Must be delivered at artist check-in
• No late submissions accepted

Framing & Presentation Requirements

• All wall-hung work must have a secure wire (upper third)
• Framing is strongly recommended for 2D work
• Unframed work must have clean, finished edges
• Glass or plexiglass must be securely attached

Not Accepted:

• Exposed staples
• Dirty or unfinished edges
• Sawtooth hangers, bracket frames, uni-frames, rings

**Artwork not meeting presentation or quality standards will not be displayed.

Helpful hanging guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ThspVqHlok

Sales & Commission

• All sales processed through the Josephy Center sales desk
• Prices entered online are final
• 30% commission on Exhibit Sales & Quick Draw
• 50% commission on Small Works Sale
• Payments for sales and awards may take up to 4 weeks

*All artwork may be photographed for promotional use.
Privacy policy: josephy.org

Artwork Pick-Up & Return Shipping

Festival Pick-Up:
Sunday, September 20 | 2:30–4 PM

• Pink receipt required for pick up
• Artists may not remove art early. Art must remain on display until 2:30pm Sunday. All sales must be processed through JCAC and are subject to commission. 
• ALL ART MUST BE SIGNED OUT with staff or docent. 

Extended Exhibition Pick-Up:
Saturday, October 3 | 10 AM–4 PM

Return Shipping

• Artists provide reusable containers or subject to handling fee
• UPS/FedEx label with insurance will be invoiced

Important

• Buyers may not pick up artwork before 2 PM Sunday
• Artwork marked with a red dot is sold—do not remove
• Artists are responsible for insuring their work
• No late pick-ups unless pre-arranged

Questions & Contact

Arianna Olsen, Program Director
exhibits@josephy.org
541-432-0505 ext. 2

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 En Plein Air Competition and celebrating exceptional outdoor painting during the Wallowa Valley Arts Festival.