Sedona Arts Center invites everyone to be inspired and experience master artists painting in “the Shangri-La of the Southwest.”
The iconic and creative Sedona Plein Air Festival is a week-long celebration of local landscapes, world-renowned artists, workshops and free events from Saturday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 30.
Last year SAC celebrated the Year of the Woman at Sedona Arts Center, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Due to COVID-19, SAC changed the format to a virtual festival, which led to work from diverse areas displayed in the online gallery.
This year the Sedona Plein Air Festival is back in-person and embedded in a rich set of plein air workshops.
A keynote workshop with Michele Usibelli takes place Tuesday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 29, offering a chance to experience the festival work and special events while studying with a master of the medium.
Her keynote address, The World Through My Eyes: My Journey From Reference Photo to Canvas, will be held virtually Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
Surrounding the festival, other great plein air workshops are offered as well.
The festival is supported by sponsors and an experienced and enthusiastic group of volunteers. The Sedona community of art lovers open their doors by volunteering to host the artists from around the country in their homes or casitas for the week.
“The Sedona Plein Air Festival is known by artists throughout the country as one of the premier festivals in which to paint,” SAC CEO Julie Richard said. “We are fortunate to be able to offer a world-renowned wonder — the Sedona red rocks — to draw some of the best painters in the country to this festival. I am so looking forward to experiencing Sedona through their eyes. Please join us at one or all of the week’s offerings.”
- The Main Street Paint Out, being held Saturday, Oct. 23, from noon to 3 p.m., is one of Sedona Arts Center’s most popular events. Watch Festival artists from start to finish as they brave the local landscape and observe them in action on the streets of Uptown.
The event will feature live painting along State Route 89A from Sedona Arts Center to the Visitor’s Center. The art will be for sale and artists’ awards announced starting at 3 p.m. at Sedona Arts Center. - Throughout the week, artists will be integrating new work into the Sedona Arts Center’s Special Exhibition Gallery and Theatre Studio. Paintings are available for sale to patrons all week long.
- Festival artists demonstrations will be held in the morning and afternoon Sunday, Oct. 24, through Tuesday Oct. 26, at Sedona Arts Center. Watch artists demonstrate their particular techniques and unique styles while letting you in on their process of art. Check for the complete schedule online.
- The Festival’s Creekside Paint Out is hosted by L’Auberge de Sedona on Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to the edge of the water to watch artists as they depict the spectacular scenery and flowing Oak Creek. The location includes still and moving water, reflections, sycamores, ducks and rock waterfalls.
At noon, awards will be presented to the artists and the works created at the event will be available for sale immediately following on the lawn. Attendees can park in the Arts Center lower parking lot and take the free shuttle to and from L’Auberge from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - On Thursday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a Paint Out at Sedona Heritage Museum. Turn back the clock as our plein air artists create a painting in just two hours on the grounds of the Sedona Heritage Museum. It’s a chance to get to know the artists and pick favorites. Watch them paint scenes out of the Old West with horse and buggy and enjoy the spectacular landscape. Awards will be announced and works will be available to purchase at noon.
- The awards night will be held Friday, Oct. 29, at Sedona Arts Center’s Special Exhibition Gallery and Theatre Studio in the Historic Art Barn. Fine wine, fine hors d’oeuvres and fine art will be available.
Artists’ awards are presented throughout the evening recognizing the best work created during the week including Best of Show and merit awards by festival judge Michelle Usibelli, Artist’s Choice Award, Collectors Choice by ballot and Sedona Arts Center Awards. - The final Main Street Paint Out will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. Watch Festival artists for the last time this year, from start to finish, as they paint on Main Street in Uptown. The event will feature live painting along State Route 89A from Sedona Arts Center to the Visitor’s Center.
The art will be for sale and artists’ awards announced starting at noon at Sedona Arts Center. Food truck and final sales are available until 2 p.m.
Visit SedonaPleinAirFestival.org or call 282-3809 for more information and the complete list of sponsors.
The Sedona Arts Center dates back 63 years to the founding of Sedona’s identity as an art colony.
2021 Festival Artists
- Krystal Brown, Texas
- Ed Buonvecchio, Arizona
- Betty Carr, Arizona
- Casey Cheuvront, Arizona
- Bill Cramer, Arizona
- Christine Debrosky, Arizona
- Eileen Guernsey Brown, Utah
- Michelle Held, Florida
Peggy Immel, New Mexico - Margaret Larlham, California
- Carolyn Lindsey, New Mexico
- Gretchen Lopez, Arizona
- Laura Martinez-Bianco, New York
- Susan Hediger Matteson, Colorado
- Barbara Mulleneaux, Arizona
- James McGrew, Oregon
Hadley Rampton, Utah - Kari Ganoung Ruiz, New York
- Manon Sander, Florida
- Elizabeth St. Hilaire, California
- Susiehyer, Colorado
- Paula Swain, Utah
- Ellie Wilson, Utah
2021 Schedule of Events
Saturday, October 23
Main Street Paint Out
12–3pm
The Main Street Paint Out is one of Sedona Arts Center’s most popular events! Watch Festival artists from start to finish as they brave the local landscape and observe them in action on the streets of Uptown Sedona. The event will feature live painting along Highway 89A from Sedona Arts Center to the Visitor’s Center. The art will be for sale and artists’ awards announced starting at 3pm at Sedona Arts Center.
October 23 – 30
Throughout the week, artists will be integrating new work into the Sedona Arts Center’s Special Exhibition Gallery and Theatre Studio. Paintings are available for sale to patrons all week long.
Sunday, October 24 through Tuesday, October 26
Artist Demonstrations
Sunday, 2-4pm: Ed Buonvecchio
Monday, 10am-Noon: Hadley Rampton
Monday, 2-4pm: Kari Ganoung Ruiz
Tuesday, 10am-Noon: Krystal Brown
Tuesday, 2-4pm: Carolyn Lindsey
Wednesday, October 27
Creekside Paint Out at L’Auberge de Sedona
10am to Noon
The Festival’s Creekside Paint Out is hosted by L’Auberge de Sedona, and the public is invited to the edge of the water to watch artists as they depict the spectacular scenery and flowing Oak Creek. The location includes still and moving water, reflections, sycamores, ducks and stunning rock waterfalls. At noon, awards will be presented to the artists and the works created at the event will be available for sale immediately following on the lawn. Attendees can park in the Arts Center lower parking lot and take the free shuttle to and from L’Auberge from 8:30am to 1:30pm.
Wednesday, October 27
7pm, Keynote with Michele Usibelli — Streaming Live Online
“The World Through My Eyes; My Journey From Reference Photo to Canvas”
This year’s judge and Keynote Speaker, Michele Usibelli will be
live-streamed on the Sedona Arts Center Facebook page.
Thursday, October 28
Paint Out at Sedona Heritage Museum
10am to Noon
Turn back the clock as our plein air artists create a painting in just two hours on the grounds of the Sedona Heritage Museum. It’s a chance to get to know the artists and pick your favorites. Watch them paint scenes out of the Old West with horse and buggy and enjoy the spectacular landscape. Awards will be announced and works will be available to purchase at noon.
Friday, October 29
Awards Night and Party! 5-8pm
Held at Sedona Arts Center’s Special Exhibition Gallery and Theatre Studio in the Historic Art Barn. Fine wine, fine hors d’oeuvres and fine art. This is the big event. Artist’s awards are presented throughout the evening recognizing the best work created during the week including Best of Show and merit awards by Festival Judge Michele Usibelli, Artist’s Choice Award, Collectors Choice by ballot and Sedona Arts Center Awards.
Saturday, October 30
Final Main Street Paint Out!
10am to Noon
Watch Festival artists for the last time this year, from start to finish as they paint on Main Street in Uptown Sedona. The event will feature live painting along Highway 89A from Sedona Arts Center to the Visitor’s Center. The art will be for sale and artists’ awards announced starting at noon at Sedona Arts Center. Final sales available until 2pm.
