Artists from across the country return to Red Rock Country for nine days of painting, demonstrations, exhibitions and community events
Sedona, Ariz.- For more than two decades, artists have gathered each fall among Sedona’s red rocks to capture the landscape as it changes before them—working outdoors, responding to shifting light, weather and color, and allowing the public to experience the creative process as it happens.
The tradition continues October 16–24 as Sedona Arts Center presents the 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival, bringing 26 accomplished artists from across the country to Sedona for nine days of painting on location, artist demonstrations, paint-outs, exhibitions, workshops, awards and community events.
One of the oldest continuously running plein air festivals in the western United States, the Sedona Plein Air Festival celebrates both the tradition of painting directly from the landscape and Sedona’s enduring identity as an arts community.
Throughout the week, festival artists will work in locations across Sedona and the Verde Valley, creating new paintings inspired by the region’s dramatic landscapes. Visitors have opportunities to watch artists at work, meet them during demonstrations and special events, and purchase original works created during the festival.
The 2026 festival will be judged by artists Betty Carr and Kelly Kane. Carr will serve as guest judge for the D.A. Ranch and private-home paint-outs, while Kane will judge the festival’s culminating awards.
2026 SEDONA PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, October 16 – Saturday, October 24
Festival artists paint throughout Sedona and the surrounding Verde Valley, creating work inspired by the region during the nine-day festival.
Artist Demonstrations
Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.–Noon
Outbound Sedona Hotel
1752 AZ-179, Sedona
Festival artists Olena Babak, Carol Douglas, Barbara Tapp, Robin Roberts and Laura Martinez-Bianco will paint live during a free public demonstration, offering visitors an opportunity to watch plein air painting unfold and connect with the artists.
D.A. Ranch Paint Out
Monday, October 19, 4–7 p.m.
D.A. Ranch
1901 Dancing Apache Road, Cornville
Festival artists spread out across the grounds of D.A. Ranch, painting among its historic red barn, pastures, vineyards, orchards, ponds and surrounding high-desert landscape. Artists paint from 4–6 p.m., followed by awards and an exclusive sale of the newly created works beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Betty Carr serves as guest judge. The evening also includes food from The Tiny Gourmet, live music by the Gina Machovina Duo and D.A. Ranch wines available for purchase. Limited public tickets are available.
Artist Demonstrations
Tuesday, October 20, 1–3 p.m.
Sedona Arts Center
15 Art Barn Road, Sedona
Festival artists Krystal Brown, Barbara Mulleneaux and Bruce Gómez paint live on the Sedona Arts Center campus during this free public event. Visitors can observe different approaches to plein air painting and meet the artists as they work.
Paint Out at a Private Home
Wednesday, October 21, 4–7 p.m.
Private Sedona residence
Against sweeping red rock views, festival artists will paint on location during an intimate evening featuring wine, beer and bites from Heartline Catering. Awards and sales begin at 6:30 p.m., with Betty Carr serving as guest judge. Limited public tickets are available.
Lights On Afterschool Paint-Out
Thursday, October 22, 3–5 p.m.
West Sedona Elementary School
570 Posse Ground Road, Sedona
Sedona Plein Air Festival artists join West Sedona Elementary School for the nationwide Lights On Afterschool celebration, highlighting the importance of afterschool programs and creative learning opportunities for young people.
Students will have participated in a plein air lesson prior to the event and will have an opportunity to meet professional artists, ask questions and experience the creative process firsthand. Participating festival artists include Ed Buonvecchio, Laura Martinez-Bianco, Bill Perkins and Hadley Rampton.
Awards Night
Friday, October 23, 5–7 p.m.
Sedona Arts Center
15 Art Barn Road, Sedona
The festival continues at Sedona Arts Center for its popular Awards Night reception. Guests can meet the artists, preview and purchase original work created throughout the week and enjoy light refreshments as judge Kelly Kane announces the 2026 festival awards, including Best of Show.
Artist Pumpkin Painting, Community Paint Out and Final Sale Day
Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sedona Arts Center
15 Art Barn Road, Sedona
The festival concludes with a full day of art and community participation on Sedona Arts Center’s campus.
Registration for the Community Paint Out begins at 9 a.m. Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to create artwork on site, with painting continuing until noon before judging. Registration is $15. Participants may offer their finished work for sale during the event and compete for $250 first place, $150 second place, $50 third place and five honorable mentions.
The Final Art Sale, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., provides the final opportunity during festival week to meet participating artists and purchase their work in person. Festival artwork will remain on exhibition and available for purchase in Sedona Arts Center’s Art Barn galleries through November 22.
From 10 a.m.–1 p.m., “Fur”ever Paintings by PetSmart invites visitors to bring their pets to create their own works of art using paw-safe paint.
From 11 a.m.–Noon, Artist Pumpkin Painting gives the festival artists a very different surface to tackle: pumpkins. The finished pumpkins will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting Sedona Arts Center.
2026 FESTIVAL ARTISTS
The 2026 Sedona Plein Air Festival artists are:
Olena Babak, Lorie Batson, Krystal Brown, Ed Buonvecchio, Michael Chesley Johnson, Casey Cheuvront, Bill Cramer, Lauren Davis, Carol Douglas, Robert Goldman, Bruce Gómez, Meisha Grichuhin, Michelle Held, Laura Martinez-Bianco, Betsy Menand, Barbara Mulleneaux, Anton Nowels, Bill Perkins, Hadley Rampton, Robin Roberts, Julia Robinson, Paula Swain, Barbara Tapp, Carol Tarzier, Stewart White and Tara Will.
2026 FESTIVAL JUDGES
Betty Carr will serve as guest judge for the D.A. Ranch Paint Out and Paint Out at a Private Home.
Kelly Kane will judge the festival awards presented during Awards Night on October 23.
Workshops presented in conjunction with the festival provide additional opportunities for artists to study plein air painting with experienced instructors. Scholarship assistance is available for plein air festival workshops.
Complete festival information, workshop opportunities, tickets, Community Paint Out registration and schedule updates are available at:
sedonapleinairfestival.org
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Sedona’s annual celebration of plein air painting is generously made possible by Blick Art Materials, Bruce and Ann Peek, Cecily Carter, City of Sedona and Sedona Now TV, D.A. Ranch, Ensemble Group, Guerilla Painter, Heartline Catering, Lamar Billboards, Outbound Sedona, Plein Air Magazine, Sedona 360 Photo, Sedona Red Rock News and Carol Douglas Art.
Additional support is provided by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona Community Foundation, Aiden Sedona, Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas, City of Sedona, Kling Family Foundation and West Valley Art Museum.
About Sedona Arts Center
Founded in 1958, Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a cornerstone of Northern Arizona’s cultural community. Based in Uptown Sedona, Sedona Arts Center offers year-round classes, exhibitions, festivals and cultural events that enrich the artistic life of Sedona and the Verde Valley.
Through its School of the Arts, Sedona Arts Center provides opportunities for creative learning at all levels, from beginners to seasoned artists, with ongoing instruction in a variety of media and specialized workshops led by nationally recognized faculty.
Sedona Arts Center’s mission is to connect, enrich, educate and lead through the inspiring power of the arts and creative discovery.
Sedona Arts Center
15 Art Barn Road
Sedona, AZ 86336
928-282-3809
sedonaartscenter.org
sedonapleinairfestival.org