Painting and photo by Lisa Stauffer
2026 Prairie Lakes Plein Air
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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.
Artists and collectors will enjoy many activities including the Opening Day, 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. Overview of Events Opening Day June 20, Glendalough State Park
Plein Air Artwork Creation June 20- September 24 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 observing public; artists must register. Plein Air Workshops
Artists and community members will have the opportunity to attend workshops by noted painters Mary Boylan, Greg Preslicka, Lisa Stauffer and Stephen Henning. Workshop registration opening soon. Plein Air Oil Painting Workshop with Mary Boylan June 25, 9:30am - 4:30pm Glendalough State Park Details & Registration Plein Air Casein Painting Workshop with Greg Preslicka July 20, 9:30am - 4:30pm Henning Landmark Center Details & Registration Plein Air Soft Pastels Painting with Lisa Stauffer August 9, 9:30am - 4:30pm Prairie Wetlands Center Details & Registration Plein Air at Maplewood with Stephen Henning September 12, 9:30am - 4:30pm Maplewood State Park Details & Registration Weekend Festivities September 25 & 26
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.
Quick Paint Saturday, September 26 Participating artists will be found painting throughout Battle Lake. Vote for your favorite from 12pm to 2:45 pm. People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards announced at 3 pm. Competition Exhibition and Sale September 26 - October 24, 2026 The Art of the Lakes Gallery will be open for the general public to view and purchase paintings from this event. |
Competition Awards
Best in Show $1000 2nd Place Award $500 3rd Place Award $250 People's Choice Award $75 Honorable Mentions (3) $75 Quick Paint Awards (Must be painted at the September 26 event) People's Choice $75 Artists' Choice $75 
Competition Judge
Michele Combs "I’m a contemporary impressionist oil painter. I love color, thick paint, and the way light plays on objects including water, land, buildings, people, etc. Being a painter has changed the way I view the world as I strive to capture the beauty around me onto my canvas. Instead of seeing things, I’m drawn to values and color that create magical scenes. Picking up a paint brush compels me to connect emotionally with a subject. Where is the light coming from? Where are the shadows and what is hiding in them? As I am drawn into my subject I fall deeper into the mood and excitement. In every painting, I leave a bit of myself there."
A note about plein air: "My paintings include studio and plein air (painting in the open air). Plein air enhances my landscape paintings and understanding of nature. When working outdoors there’s a demand for close observations, intense focus, and quick decisions as the light changes quickly. This process creates a spontaneity in my paintings." Paintings by Michele
Volunteers needed
We're 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! 
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