Elora Plein Air

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Elora Plein Air

A non-profit art event . An outdoor painting festival in the beautiful country and rivers of Wellington County. It includes prizes, show and sale. and 5:00 p.m.

Elora Plein Air - ‘Grand River Painting Festival’

Welcome to the page for the Elora Arts Council Plein Air Festival. We are delighted to invite artists from everywhere to our 4 day art competition, promoting our community and our rich cultural heritage. This festival showcases not only the village of Elora and town of Fergus, but the stunning natural setting all around the Grand River Go

rge countryside. There is a strong and committed culture of artists who paint and complete their work outdoors (en Plein Air). This is a juried show with awards to going to the top three paintings as well as a People’s Choice award. The festival will culminate in a show and sale of paintings on the Sunday of the long weekend in May between 2:00 p.m. The home base for the Plein Air event will be in the Elora Centre for the Arts. We have a website dedicated to this event: www.elorapleinair.ca You can reach us there and find the registration form and rules etc. You can also email us at [email protected]

The Elora Centre for the Arts itself will be offering plein air instruction to complement the event. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who would like some tutoring before embarking on the joy of plein air. Contact the ECftA at www.eloracentreforthearts.ca

05/18/2026

Thank you to all of the artists who joined us for Saturday’s Quick Paint event during the Elora Plein Air Festival. From riverside views to street corners, it was incredible watching creativity unfold in a two-hour time span.

Here’s a little photo dump from the day, paint-covered hands, easels on sidewalks, changing skies, and the moments in between. ✨

Huge congrats to the winner of the quick paint - Corinne Garlick

05/17/2026

A heartfelt thank you to all of the incredible artists who participated in this year’s Elora Plein Air Festival. From early morning light to evening scenes, every piece helped make this festival a beautiful celebration of art and community.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:

🥇 First Prize

Maria Iva — New Life on Wilsons Flats

🥈 Second Prize

Greg Hargarten — Carrol Creek

🥉 Third Prize

Cam Forrester — Below the Mill

🌙 Best Nocturne

Kevin Bice — Yearly Nocturne

✨ Honourable Mentions

Peter Cheung — Elora Bridge

Corinne Garlick — Cedar Forest Waterfall

Christopher Cape — Setting Us Free

Lisa Leskien — Two Horsepower

Peter Karas — 31 Water St, Elora

Vera Kisseleva — Borrowed Light

Be sure to check out these pieces and more today at Elora Centre for the Arts for the Show & Sale 12 to 5 ☀

Thank you again to everyone who painted, supported, volunteered, and helped make this year’s festival such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year.

05/16/2026

With the Show and sale, you will also have the chance to shop the outdoor market ☀

Sunday, May 17th, 12–5 PM at the Centre for the Arts yard.

05/15/2026

The artists are back outside and painting again today, this time with even better weather 🌿

05/14/2026

Friday from 4–6 PM at Templin Gardens 🌿
Try your hand at painting en plein air with Michel Hannan and create surrounded by nature. Free for youth — just bring your curiosity and creativity.

RSVP: [email protected]

05/13/2026

QUICK PAINT CHALLENGE

Fast brushes. Fresh perspectives.
Watch artists create a finished piece in just 2 hours during this exciting live painting event at the Elora Plein Air Festival.

🎨 Live Competition
⏱️ Saturday May 16 | 1:20-4:30
📍 Bissell Park, Elora
👀 Open for the public to watch

Come experience the energy, creativity, and spontaneity of plein air painting in action!

05/12/2026

Brushes out, easels up, and inspiration around every corner. 🎨

The 2026 Elora Plein Air Festival begins tomorrow, with over 75 artists painting throughout the region all week long, capturing the landscapes, streets, and quiet moments that make this place so special.

Watch creativity unfold in real time, then join us Sunday for the Show & Sale at the Elora Centre for the Arts. ✨

05/11/2026

After days spent painting throughout the region, the work comes together for one final celebration of art, place, and community. 🎨✨

Join us Sunday, May 17, from 12–5 PM at the Elora Centre for the Arts for the Elora Plein Air Show & Sale, featuring original works created by 75 talented Plein air artists during the festival week.

Explore the gallery and atrium, filled with fresh landscapes, streetscapes, and moments captured throughout Elora, Fergus, and the surrounding countryside. Meet the artists, discover the stories behind the work, and experience the beauty of the region through their eyes.

Whether you’re an avid collector, curious art lover, or simply looking for an inspiring Sunday outing, this is a chance to experience the energy and immediacy of plein air painting up close.

Free to attend. All are welcome. 🌿

05/09/2026

Five days of art, community, and creativity in full colour. 🎨✨

From live Plein air painting and artist talks to walking tours, markets, and reveal night celebrations, the 2026 Elora Plein Air Festival is packed with ways to experience the region through art.

Check out the schedule and start planning your festival weekend. 🌿

05/07/2026

Join us for an engaging evening with three experienced plein air artists as they share stories from the field, highlighting their successes, adventures, and the insights shaped by a life of painting outdoors. 🖌

Wednesday, May 13 - 7 to 9pm
The Atrium at the Elora Centre for the Arts, 75 Melville St.

Address

Elora, ON

Website

http://www.elorapleinair.ca/

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