2025 Prairie Lakes Plein Air
|
The Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series is a festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to professional and non-professional artists of all skill levels. Enjoy your summer painting in the idyllic setting of Otter Tail County, situated in West-Central Minnesota lakes country. Delve into the pristine landscape of gently rolling hills and fertile farmland amongst clear blue lakes and streams for an inspirational painting experience. Attend Plein Air demos & workshops (artists to be announced soon).
Artists and collectors will enjoy many activities including the Opening Reception, Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint competition. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of Plein Air motifs and styles of artwork. Schedule of Events Opening Day for Artists June 21, 2025 10 am - 12 pm Artists meet at the Creative Arts Center, 112 Main St W, Battle Lake, MN
Plein Air Competition June 21- August 28, 2025 Throughout the summer, artists will be painting Plein Air in and around our Battle Lake community and Otter Tail County. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe as the artists seek to represent the shifting light, extraordinary colors and textures of our varied rural landscape. We ask that participants and observers do not block entrances/traffic ways to businesses. Free to the public; artists must register. Demonstrations/Workshops
To explore a variety of en Plein Air styles and techniques, artists and community members will have the opportunity to attend a range of art classes and artist talks with our featured artists. Weekend Festivities August 29 & 30, 2025 Our Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series will be capped off with a full weekend of enjoyable events all happening in or near Battle Lake. Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony Friday evening, 6-8 pm, August 29, 2025 TICKETED The Collector's Preview and Award Ceremony will be an art-lovers' social event and a rare opportunity to view artworks from prominent plein air painters from around the Midwest. This exhibition of works by the competition participants will be held in the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake. Grand Prize winners will be announced in a special award ceremony by oil and pastel painter and this year's judge, Cheryl LeClair-Sommer. Come and be inspired! Tickets purchased in advance: $8 AOTL members, $10 non-members Tickets purchased at the door: $20 Quick Paint Saturday, 9:30 - 11:30 am, August 30, 2025 Participating artists will be found painting throughout Battle Lake within earshot of the CAC. Vote for your favorite from 12pm to 2:45 pm. People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards are announced at 3 pm. Plein Air Demonstration with Cheryl LeClair-Sommer Saturday, 1 - 3 pm, August 30, 2025 To inspire those who want to know more about Plein Air painting, join judge Cheryl LeClair-Sommer in or near the CAC as she provides a demonstration and shares tips and answers your questions. Quick Paint Awards Saturday, 3 pm, August 30, 2025 Our Prairie Lakes en Plein Air festival concludes at the CAC where Quick Paint Awards will be presented and competition paintings will be on display. Competition Exhibition August 30 - September 27, 2025 The Art of the Lakes Gallery will be open for the general public to view paintings from this event and make purchases. |
Competition Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer Competition Class $1000 - Best in Show $500 - 2nd Place Award $250 - 3rd Place Award $150 - People's Choice Award $50 - 3 Honorable Mentions Quick Paint (Must be painted at the August 30 event) $75 - People's Choice $75 - Artists' Choice Open Class Recognition Award and Judge's Feedback About Our Judge Cheryl LeClair-Sommer is a Minnesota based representational painter working mainly in oils, featuring works that highlight the natural world. Her main focus, painting landscapes directly outside, originates from her spiritual connection to the land and reverence for nature's raw beauty. Studio paintings feature the natural world as observed through the human imprint. 
Volunteers needed
We are looking for a few great volunteers to help in various areas such as check-in, data entry, hanging artwork, and reception set-up and clean-up. Contact Debbie Ness at [email protected] to raise your hand! |