This year, we have also added an “Afterglow” Event on Sunday, June 30.
The seventh annual Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival and Competition will be held throughout Marquette, Michigan on Friday & Saturday, June 28 and 29.
The festival, presented by Lake Superior Art Association, is part of the “Grand Finale” of the City of Marquette’s Art Week. Art Week is a week-long celebration of Marquette’s creative community held during the last full week of June, featuring a wide range of community art projects, installations, performances, and more. Learn more about Art Week at https://www.mqtcompass.com/artweek/
This year’s judging, reception, presentation of awards, and artwork display and sale will be held at Marquette’s Presque Isle Pavilion, located at on event Lake Superior in the picturesque Presque Isle Park.
Our newly added “Afterglow” Event will be held at Provisions MQT, 401 S. Lakeshore Blvd.,one of Marquette’s awesome coffeehouses, featuring tasty baked treats , drinks, croissants, gelato, and much more! Right on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, close to Lower Harbor Park and downtown Marquette, this is a great location to paint, make new friends, and relax! “Afterglow” is a social event open to all artists (competitors and non-competitors) and to the public. Artists can set up and paint anywhere outside Provisions Mqt. or near-by and enjoy an extra day of non-competitive painting and sharing!
The 2024 Plein Air Festival will combine our evening and daytime segments to allow artists to paint both times for one registration fee.
On the evening of Friday, June 28, “Dusk to Dark” will be held. Artists who choose to participate in Dusk to Dark must register and get their canvases stamped that evening at Presque Isle Pavilion. Once completed, pieces must be turned in that evening by 10:00 pm. Emphasis should be placed on capturing the evening light, sunset, nighttime cityscapes, etc. Paintings will be safely stored inside the locked Pavilion.
Saturday, June 29 will be the All-Day painting segment. Artists participating in the daytime competition may get their canvases stamped on Friday evening or Saturday morning, then have until 4:30 pm to submit their pieces for jurying and display at the Presque Isle Pavilion.
Painters must be 17 years old to enter the competition. Artists may paint anywhere within the Historic City of Marquette and along the Lake Superior Shoreline. All paintings must be stamped upon registration and created outdoors and on-site. The key is to capture real life scenes and scenery that have been inspired by the Marquette landscape and residents.
Interested artists may pre-register with the form below to save on entry fees or register the day(s) of. There are two entry levels, (1) Professional and advanced painters, and (2) Novice, intermediate, and/or recreational painters. It is up to the artist to place themselves in the appropriate category and pay the appropriate fees. Entry fees are as follows, to be paid upon check-in at the event when you bring your canvases to get stamped. Entry fees may be paid by cash or check.
Friday – “Dusk to Dark” / Saturday – All Day one fee includes both times.
Level 1: $25 pre-registered / $30 day-of Level 2: $15 pre-registered / $20 day-of
