CALL FOR ARTISTS!
Embedded Files
McKinney En Plein Air 2025
OCTOBER 3 & 4, 2025
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
5:00-7:30 PM -- Welcome Reception
sunset to sunrise -- Nocturne Tournament
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
7:30 AM-3:30 PM -- Competition Painting
1:00 PM-6:00 PM -- Exhibition Open
5:00 PM-6:30 PM -- Artists Reception & Awards Ceremony
Awards announced at 5:30
AWARDS JUDGE -- Lorenzo Chavez
FULL Lorenzo Chavez Plein Air Workshop FULL
October 5-7, 2025
2025 PROSPECTUS
Don't Miss McKinney's Most Exciting Art Event!
The Mckinney Plein Air Society (MPAS) is pleased to announce their 4th annual plein air painting competition and exhibition, McKinney En Plein Air 2025, on October 3 & 4, 2025 at The Cove in Historic Downtown McKinney, Texas.
This unique intensive competition is open to all artists who register by the deadline.
New this year is the optional "Quick Draw" contest the night before and the "Nocturne Tournament" for those who wish to submit a nighttime painting to the contest. Both of these are optional.
Also new this year is The Show at The COVE exhibition of en plein air paintings from the last year. Submitting a framed and wired, ready to hang painting for The Show at The COVE on October 3 & 4 is REQUIRED. You may submit up to 2 framed pieces for this component of MEPA 2024. The show will be hung on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Refer to the prospectus for details. These pieces must be dry and painted en plein air within the last year from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. This component is different from the Exhibition on Easels which showcases the art produced during the day-long competition. These paintings will be judged and vie for the 'Award of Excellence', the 'Award of Distinction', 'People's Choice', and 'Artists' Choice' cash awards.
MEPA 2025 will kick off at The COVE on Friday evening, October 4 with an exhibition of plein air paintings done by the competition artists during the past year. Artists wishing to take part in the Nocturne Tournament will have from sunset to sunrise to create a nocturne painting that will be submitted at Check-In on Saturday morning. On Saturday, artists will paint en plein air around the Historic Downtown Square and nearby McKinney parks. The event ends back at The COVE with the famous "Exhibition on Easels" show and sale, artists' reception, and awards ceremony. The public is invited to attend both Friday and Saturday.
Artists must provide their own equipment and may work in any medium, including but not limited to: oil media (traditional and water-mixable); wet media (acrylic, watercolor, gouache, etc.); and dry media (pastel, charcoal, conte, graphite, colored pencil, etc.); and mixed media.
Artists may tone their canvases but not draw or paint on them until after check-in. All substrates must be stamped before each contest -- Nocturne Tournament on Friday -- and at Check-In on Saturday morning for the MEPA 2025 Competition.
REGISTER NOW!
MPAS members - $28
click>> Register HERE <<click
Registration fee is non-refundable
DEADLINE TO REGISTER:
Monday, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 at midnight
EVENT LOCATION
The COVE at 402 N. Tennessee, McKinney, TX is the location for MEPA 2024.
The Artists will choose to paint at these locations: Historic Downtown McKinney including nearby Finch Park, Mitchell Park, the historic residential neighborhoods and the East Side Development area with the grain elevators and the new Tupps Brewery.
EVENT DATES AND TIMES
Friday, October 4, 2024
THE SHOW AT THE COVE WELCOME RECEPTION 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
QUICK DRAW CONTEST 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
NOCTURNE TOURNAMENT anytime from sundown to sunrise
Saturday, October 5, 2024
CHECK-IN 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (turn in Nocturnes at Check-In)
COMPETITION PAINTING 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Set Up EXHIBITION ON EASELS 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
JUDGING 4:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.
ARTISTS HAPPY HOUR 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ARTISTS RECEPTION 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
AWARDS CEREMONY 5:30 p.m.
STRIKE THE SHOW at the end of the awards ceremony
EVENT DETAILS:
McKinney Plein Air Society and the Arts and Music Guild are hosting this exciting and unique competition open to two-dimensional artists who register by the deadline. This intensive, one-of-a-kind en plein air event begins with and exhibition, reception, and painting contests on Friday. Saturday is the main competition, ending with the famous Exhibition on Easels, judging, artists' reception, and awards ceremony.
On Saturday, artists are free to purchase lunch and take breaks at downtown restaurants of their choice when and where they like. Restrooms will be available at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), The Cove, Tupps, Finch Park and several locations around the Square. Bottled water will be available for the artists at the COVE all day on Saturday, as well as on Friday evening.
CASH AWARDS:
$300 Spirit of En Plein Air Grand Prize -- Judge's Choice. Grand Prize. This award celebrates the combination of direct observation and artistic interpretation of painting en plein air. Exhibition on Easels
$225 Award of Excellence -- Judge's Choice. 1st Place. Judge uses own criteria for this 1st Place award. The Show at The COVE
$165 Award of Distinction -- Judge's Choice. 2nd Place. Judge uses own criteria for this 2nd Place award. The Show at The COVE
$200 Beth Mortenson Memorial Award -- Judge's Choice. This award celebrates the memory of Beth Mortenson who was always experimenting and developing innovative techniques en plein air. Exhibition on Easels
$150 The Frank Reaugh Legacy Award -- Judge's Choice. This award recognizes the importance of en plein air painting to document the present day landscape and honors the legacy of Frank Reaugh, an early Texas en plein air pioneer. Exhibition on Easels
$150 Number One Nocturne -- Judge's Choice - Best of the Nocturne Tournament
$125 Number Two Nocturne -- Judge's Choice - Second Best of the Nocturne Tournament
$100 People's Choice Award -- People's Favorite Painting of the Competition. by public vote
$75 Outstanding Equipment Award -- Judge's Choice - Favorite Plein Air Painting Set Up
$75 Perils of Plein Air Award -- Founder's Choice - Favorite En Plein Air Adventure Story
AWARDS JUDGE:
Lorenzo Chavez is
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Times to be announced - HANG THE SHOW AT THE COVE 402 N. Tennessee, McKinney. -- MEPA 2025 Artists will submit up to two (2) dry, framed and ready to hang paintings that were painted en plein air during the last year from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.
Friday, October 3, 2025 at The COVE, 402 N. Tennessee, McKinney
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - WELCOME RECEPTION family, friends, and public welcome
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Get NOCTURNE substrates stamped. Artists get their Nocturne substrates stamped at this time
anytime from sundown to sunrise - NOCTURNE TOURNAMENT optional. Artists turn in their completed nocturne paintings at Check-In on Saturday Morning.
Saturday October 5, 2024
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CHECK-IN Artists Check-In at The COVE, 402 N. Tennessee St. to get painting substrates stamped. Artists participating in the Nocturne Tournament turn in their fresh, framed and wired night scenes during Check-In.
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m COMPETITION PAINTING Artists Paint at spots of their choice around Historic Downtown McKinney including nearby Finch Park, Mitchell Park, the historic residential neighborhoods and the East Side Development area with grain elevators and the new Tupps Brewery.
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Set Up EXHIBITION ON EASELS. Artists check in at The COVE. Art and easels are set up for the "Exhibition on Easels". Easels must be set up and ready for judging by 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. JUDGING Judging of the "Exhibition on Easels" begins promptly at 4:00 pm
3:30 pm - 5:00 p.m. ARTISTS HAPPY HOUR. Artists' Happy Hour during judging at TBA
5:00 p.m. - ARTISTS RECEPTION Exhibition on Easels Show, Sale, and Artists' Reception opens to public. Family and friends welcome.
5:30 p.m. - AWARDS CEREMONY Awards announced; ribbons and cash prizes given
6:00 p.m. - EVENT ENDS. Event is over at the end of the Awards Ceremony. Strike the Show.
RULES AND REQUIREMENTS:
All two-dimensional artists over the age of 18 are welcome.
Artists must register and pay the entry fee for the event by midnight on Monday, September 2, 2024 to participate.
Artists bring their own equipment, surfaces, supplies, materials and water. See a list of plein air supplies and items for personal comfort here.
Painting surfaces will be stamped before the Friday evening contests and on Saturday morning of the competition.
Primed and toned surfaces are acceptable. However, no drawing or painting on the surface will be allowed before the artist checks in for the competition.
Plein air work must be started, painted, and completed during the event.
Artists may work in any medium and use any supplies to complete their paintings.
There are no size restrictions for the 'Nocturne Tournament' and the 'Exhibition on Easels' components of the competition. However, the size for the 'Quick Pick' entries is limited to 16" on any side.
All artwork must be two-dimensional.
Artists must be respectful of all property and take every care to leave their painting spot cleaner than they found it. Comply with the rules of the City of McKinney.
Artists will strictly adhere to the behaviors and etiquette of plein air painting
Artists will use the public restrooms at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, The COVE, or other locations around the Square.
THE SHOW AT THE COVE
Exhibition of en plein air paintings created during the past year.
REQUIRED: Submitting a framed and wired, ready to hang painting for The Show at The COVE on October 4 & 5 is REQUIRED.
Gallery Wrap and Cradle Board at least 1" thick are acceptable without a frame but must be wired and ready to hang.
These pieces must be dry and painted en plein air within the last year from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
You may submit up to 2 framed, gallery wrapped, or cradle board pieces
The show will be hung on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. You will deliver your painting to the COVE at the appointed time. (TBA)
These paintings will be judged and vie for the 'Award of Excellence', the 'Award of Distinction', 'People's Choice', and 'Artists' Choice' cash awards.
QUICK DRAW
Quick Draw surfaces may not exceed 16" on any edge.
Participating artists must get their substrate stamped during the allotted time on Friday evening. (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
All Quick Draw painters will begin painting at the start time and not before.
The Quick Draw contest will take place in parking area in front of The COVE. A still life will be provided or the surrounding views may be painted.
Artists may stake out their spots in the parking lot and set up their equipment after they have gotten their painting surfaces stamped, but they may not start painting until the start time.
After the start time, the Artists will have two hours to complete their paintings.
Quick Draw Artists must quit painting at the stop time or be disqualified.
Artists who finish before the stop time may begin framing and preparing their paintings for submission.
Artists must frame their Quick Draw painting, ready to hang.
Gallery Wrap and Cradle Board at least 1" thick are acceptable without a frame but must be wired and ready to hang.
Artists will submit their paintings to the Wet Wall by the 8:30 p.m. deadline.
Nocturne Tournament
There is no size limit for the Nocturne paintings.
Participating artists must get their substrate stamped during the allotted time on Friday evening. (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Nocturne painters may create their night painting anytime from sunset to sunrise.
Nocturne painters will paint at the location of their choice. Using the buddy system is suggested. Painting from your car is acceptable. Be safe.
Artists must frame their Nocturne paintings, ready to hang and submit to the Wet Wall.
Gallery Wrap and Cradle Board at least 1" thick are acceptable without a frame but must be wired and ready to hang.
Artists will submit their Nocturne paintings at Check-In on Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
EXHIBITION ON EASELS
There is no size limit for the Exhibition on Easels paintings.
The Artist must submit only one painting for the Exhibition on Easels.
If Artist paints more than one painting during the competition, the Artist must choose only one to show in the Exhibition on Easels.
EXTRAS
Artists may submit Extra paintings created during the competition to the Extras table for show and sale.
Extra paintings will vie for the Artists' Choice and People's Choice awards.
Artists must display their competition painting on their easel in raw form as it was painted for the Exhibition on Easels.
No matting or framing allowed for the Exhibition on Easels.
It is okay to leave the paint on your palette as part of your display for the Exhibition on Easels.
SIZE RESTRICTIONS:
There are no size restrictions for the Exhibition on Easels competition or the Nocturne Tournament. Artists may paint on any size surface for these competitions.
The Quick Draw contest is limited to a size no larger than 16" on any edge.
The Show at the Cove does not have size restrictions but the paintings must be done en plein air. Please keep in mind that space is limited at The Cove.
Equipment
Artists must provide their own plein air painting equipment and supplies. If working on a table, artist must have a table easel or prop to display work for the Exhibition on Easels.
WATER
Water will be available at The COVE. The Artists may pick up chilled bottled water at The COVE any time during the competition. Water will not be delivered to the Artists.
Water is also available at the public drinking fountains at MPAC. Water and other beverages are for sale at local restaurants.
MEDIA:
Artists may work in any medium, including but not limited to: oil media (traditional and water-mixable, oil pastels); wet media (acrylic, watercolor, gouache, etc.); and dry media (pastel, charcoal, conte, graphite, colored pencil, etc.); and mixed media.
SUBJECT MATTER
The Artists will choose to paint at these locations: Historic Downtown McKinney including nearby Finch Park, Mitchell Park, the historic residential neighborhoods and the East Side Development area with the grain elevators and the new Tupps Brewery.
Artists may paint any subject that they choose in the Historic Downtown McKinney area. This can include but is not limited to the historic buildings, houses, trees, landscapes, animals, grain elevators, water tower, parks, flowers, people, cars, benches, statues, etc.
EVENT EXHIBITION
“Exhibition on Easels” Show and Sale
Each painting must must have McKinney En Plein Air stamped on the back during the Check-In hours of the competition to be eligible for judging.
Each artist will choose their one (1) best painting for the "Exhibition on Easels".
If an artist completes more than one painting during the competition, the artist may display the extra paintings on the "Extras" table.
Between 3:00 p.m and 3:30 p.m., artists will set their easels up at The COVE to display their work for judging, public viewing, and sales. Artwork that is late will be displayed and available for sale, but will be disqualified from the judging.
Any and all sales transactions will be completed by the artist. MPAS does not take a commission on art sales.
At 6:00 p.m., or after the Awards Ceremony - whichever comes first, all art and equipment will be retrieved by its owner and the Artists may go home.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
The Show at The COVE
REQUIRED: Each Artist is required to submit up to 2 paintings which were painted en plein air within the last year from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. These paintings must be dry and framed, ready to hang. Gallery wrapped and cradle board surfaces at least 1" thick are acceptable without framing.
SIZE: There are no size restrictions for the work submitted to The Show at The COVE.
AWARDS: The submitted paintings will be considered for the 'Award of Excellence', the 'Award of Distinction', 'People's Choice', and 'Artists' Choice' cash awards.
SELLING: Sales transactions will be completed by the Artist. Buyers will not be allowed to take possession of the art until after the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening.
Quick Draw
OPTIONAL: The Quick Draw contest is optional for the MEPA 2024 artists. Participating artists will paint in this 2-hour timed contest. Gallery wrapped and cradle board surfaces at least 1" thick are acceptable without framing.
SIZE: The Quick Draw contest painting must be no larger than 16" on any side.
AWARDS: The submitted paintings will be considered for the 'Quick Draw Pick' award, as well as the 'People's Choice' and 'Artists' Choice' awards.
SELLING: Sales transactions will be completed by the Artist. Buyers will not be allowed to take possession of the art until after the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening.
Nocturne Tournament
OPTIONAL: The Nocturne contest is optional for the MEPA 2024 artists. Substrates will be stamped during the allotted time before the contest. Participating artists will paint at the location of their choice in this untimed, nighttime contest on their own, anytime from sundown to sunup. Using the buddy system is suggested. Painting from your car is acceptable. Be safe. Gallery wrapped and cradle board surfaces at least 1" thick are acceptable without framing.
SIZE: There are no size restrictions for the Nocturne paintings.
AWARDS: The submitted paintings will be considered for the 'Number One Nocturne' award, as well as the 'People's Choice' and 'Artists' Choice' awards.
SELLING: Sales transactions will be completed by the Artist. Buyers will not be allowed to take possession of the art until after the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening.
Exhibition on Easels - Participants’ en plein air competition paintings
REQUIRED: The “Exhibition on Easels” is the main component of the McKinney En Plein Air 2024 Exhibition. Each Artist will submit one painting for the "Exhibition on Easels". Any extra paintings the Artist completes during the competition will be displayed on the "Extras" table.
The work must be painted during the competition for the exhibition, judging, and show. The art for the "Exhibition on Easels" should be secured to the easel for the show. No frames or mats are allowed. The art must have McKinney En Plein Air stamped on the back to be eligible.
Judging will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. Late artwork will be allowed to show and be available for sale, but will be disqualified from the awards.
SIZE: There are no size restrictions for the competition paintings.
AWARDS: The submitted paintings will be considered for the 'Spirit of En Plein Air Grand Prize', the 'Beth Mortenson Memorial Award', the 'Frank Reaugh Legacy Award', 'People's Choice', and 'Artists' Choice' cash awards.
There will also be an award for the Judge's choice of the 'Outstanding Equipment'.
The best en plein air adventure story will be awarded by founder's choice the 'Perils of Plein Air' prize.
SELLING: Sales transactions will be completed by the Artist. The Artist may wish to make framing arrangements for the artwork with the buyer at the time of the sale. Buyers will not be allowed to take possession of the art until after the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening.
Extra Competition Paintings
OPTIONAL: Artists may display as many extra paintings as they are able to complete during the competition on the "Extras" table. It is preferred that each artist select one painting for the Exhibition on Easels and the other paintings will go to the "Extras" table. The art must have McKinney En Plein Air stamped on the back to be eligible.
SIZE: There are no size restrictions for the competition paintings
AWARDS: The "Extras" table artwork will NOT be judged, but may be offered for sale and will also be considered for the 'Artists' Choice' and 'People's Choice' awards.
SELLING: Sales transactions will be completed by the Artist. The Artist may wish to make framing arrangements for the artwork with the buyer at the time of the sale. Buyers will not be allowed to take possession of the art until after the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening.
SALES:
All sales transactions are handled by the artist. No commission fees are charged by MPAS. The buyer must wait to take possession of the purchased artwork until after the awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
END OF EVENT:
At the end of the event, the Artists will complete any sales transactions and lbuyers may take possession of their purchases. The Artists will load up their artwork and equipment. Artists may leave after they have collected their equipment and all unsold paintings.
EVENT HOSTS:
McKinney Plein Air Society mckinneypleinair.com
Arts and Music Guild https://www.artsandmusicguild.org
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT:
Pernie Fallon npleinr@gmail.com
EVENT SPONSORS:
McKinney Plein Air Society (MPAS) is a program of Arts and Music Guild, a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Major sponsors of the Arts and Music Guild include Integrated Environmental Solutions, Jump Into Art Studios, Atlantis Financial Group, The Cotton Mill, The Wells Group, and The Art Village.
REGISTER NOW!
MPAS members - $20
click>> Register HERE <<click
Registration fee is non-refundable
Deadline to enter is midnight, Monday, September 2, 2024
DISCLAIMER - the fine print: The McKinney Plein Air Society, Arts & Music Guild, The City of McKinney, The McKinney Historic Neighborhood, and any and all sponsors are not responsible for damages, mishaps, accidents, death, dismemberment, and destruction at any location during McKinney En Plein Air 2024. Artists, volunteers, and spectators assume all responsibility for their own comfort and safety.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse