Important Dates:
  • June 17 - Sept 29: Dates to Paint
  • June 17 opening date, pick up packets anytime at Art of the Lakes Gallery
  • Sept. 29, 12:00 pm: Paintings due in the gallery.
  • Sept. 29, 6:00 pm: Awards Ceremony
  • Sept. 30, 9:30-11:30 am: Quick Paint Event in Battle Lake
  • Oct. 28-29 11 am - 5 pm: Pick up unsold Plein Air entries. 
  • Informal paint outs are starting Thursday, June 22, from 4 pm to 7 pm on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month. Check the AOTL calendar of events or social media for times and locations. https://www.artofthelakes.org/calendar.html 

Delivery of Work
Friday, September 29:
  • 9 AM-12 PM: The artist must have delivered framed and ready-to-hang work to Art of the Lakes Gallery. Work can be hand delivered prior, or mailed to the gallery attention: Deb Ness. Artwork dropped off early must be packaged appropriately for storage.
  • 12 PM-6 PM Gallery is closed for hanging artwork and Judging.

Closing Festivities / Award Ceremony
Friday, September 29:
  • 1:00-5:00 pm: Bob Upton judges the entries at AOTL Gallery.
  • 6:00-8:00 PM: Collectors Preview. A private reception for participating artists, AOTL Board Members, and the Prairie Lakes Plein Air Program Team. Tickets are required for this reception, a limited number will be available to the public. Participating artists will get one ticket. 
  • 7:00 PM:  Award ceremony at AOTL Gallery. A video of the awards will be created. 
Saturday, September 30:
  • 9:30-11:30: Quick Paint Competition. Battle Lake, MN 56515. Paintings must be on display by 12 pm for voting. 
  • 12:00 PM: Public viewing and voting of Quick Paint entries for People’s and Artist Choice Awards.
  • 1:00 PM Bob Upton painting demo
  • 3:00 pm: Quick Paint viewing and Award ceremony at AOTL Gallery.
  • 10:00-5 pm: The gallery is open to the public. ​

Judging Criteria/Categories: The seven Cs.
  1. Compelling — An irresistible visual impact. It’s memorable. Often hard to put into words. You can watch people walk up to it. They are drawn to it like a magnet.
  2. Craftsmanship — Drawing, values, the skill of the medium, paint handling, presentation. You say, “This is really well done. It reads right. It’s painted beautifully.”
  3. Composition — The unity of a painting. The whole impression. Design, balance, movement, rhythm. It’s thoughtful, not accidental. You say, “This works together as a whole. Everything is in the right place.”
  4. Color — Not just bright color, but color harmony. Color relationships. Color balance. It can be a subdued color or strong color. 
  5. Creativity — Not common. A unique perspective or voice. Outstanding — stands out from other works. You say, “I haven’t seen this before.”
  6. Capture — Truth is presented. Not photographic, but real. You feel something. Capturing the light. You say, “This really captured that moment. It’s like I’m there in the scene.”
  7. Challenge — This piece takes on and overcomes the challenges of painting outside. Weather, fleeting light effects, simplifying dizzying chaos, and dealing with dubs, bystanders, and blustery wind. ​
Welcome Artists! 
This year’s Prairie Lakes Plein Air event is scheduled from June 17 to Sept. 30, 2023. All paintings are to be created in Otter Tail County, MN. If you are unfamiliar with our part of the state and want help finding locations to paint, stop by the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake, MN for more information. 

Contact Information:
Art of the Lakes
108 Lake Ave S - PO Box 244
Battle Lake, MN 56515
218-864-8606 - aotl@arvig.net
www.artofthelakes.org
PLPA committee chair: Shanna Cramer smkorby@gmail.com 218-422-5753

AOTL Workshops and Special Events
Multiple workshops and events are scheduled throughout the summer. These include the Studio Tour in July and the Arts and Craft Affair in August, among others. Please join us and visit https://www.artofthelakes.org/calendar.html  for more information. 

​PLPA Committee Members​

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon! 


​Phone (218) 864-8606    |     Email  aotl@arvig.net    |    Address   108 Lake Avenue S., Battle Lake, MN