Sedona Arts Center invites you along to be inspired and experience master artists painting in the Shangri-La of the Southwest! Sedona is a sublime and stunningly beautiful environment steeped in art history. Sedona Arts Center dates back 63 years to the founding of Sedona’s identity as an ‘art colony.’ Our community’s iconic and wonderfully creative event—Sedona Plein Air Festival—is a week-long celebration of extraordinary landscapes, world-renowned artists, unique workshops, and wonderful free events from October 23 through 30!
Last year we celebrated the Year of the Woman at Sedona Arts Center, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment. Due to Covid-19 we changed the format to a virtual Festival which led to unique work from diverse areas displayed in our online gallery.
This year Sedona Plein AIr Festival is back in-person and embedded in a rich set of plein air workshops. A Keynote Workshop with Michele Usibelli takes place October 26 through 29, offering a chance to experience the festival work and special events, while studying with a master of the medium. Michele’s Keynote address is held virtually on Wednesday, October 27 at 7 pm. Surrounding the festival, other great plein air workshops are offered as well!
The Sedona Arts Center hosted event is sponsored by the Festival’s official hotel sponsor: Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas, and by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Bruce and Ann Peek, Guerrilla Painters, Golden Artist Colors/Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors, Plein Air Magazine, Goldenstein Gallery, Sedona 360 Photo, L’Auberge de Sedona, Sedona NOW, Western Art and Architecture, well as local businesses. The festival is also supported by a very experienced and enthusiastic group of volunteers. The Sedona community of art lovers open their doors volunteering to host the artists from around the country in their homes or casitas for the week.
“The Sedona Plein Air Festival is known by artists throughout the country as one of the premier festivals in which to paint. We are fortunate to be able to offer a world-renowned wonder - the Sedona Red Rocks - to draw some of the best painters in the country to this festival. I am so looking forward to experiencing Sedona through their eyes. Please join us at one or all of the week’s offerings!” — Julie Richard, CEO
The 17th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival takes place October 23-30, 2021.
Michelle Usibelli is our 2021 Sedona Plein Air Festival Keynote Speaker and Judge.
Saturday, October 23
Main Street Paint Out
12–3pm
The Main Street Paint Out is one of Sedona Arts Center’s most popular events! Watch Festival artists from start to finish as they brave the local landscape and observe them in action on the streets of Uptown Sedona. The event will feature live painting along Highway 89A from Sedona Arts Center to the Visitor’s Center. The art will be for sale and artists’ awards announced starting at 3pm at Sedona Arts Center.
October 23 – 30
Throughout the week, artists will be integrating new work into the Sedona Arts Center’s Special Exhibition Gallery and Theatre Studio. Paintings are available for sale to patrons all week long.
Sunday, October 24 through Tuesday, October 26
Festival artists demonstrations will be held in the morning and afternoon Sunday through Tuesday at Sedona Arts Center. Watch artists as they demonstrate their particular techniques and unique styles, while letting you in on their process of art. Check for the complete schedule online.
Wednesday, October 27
Creekside Paint Out at L'Auberge de Sedona
10am to Noon
The Festival’s Creekside Paint Out is hosted by L’Auberge de Sedona, and the public is invited to the edge of the water to watch artists as they depict the spectacular scenery and flowing Oak Creek. The location includes still and moving water, reflections, sycamores, ducks and stunning rock waterfalls. At noon, awards will be presented to the artists and the works created at the event will be available for sale immediately following on the lawn. Attendees can park in the Arts Center lower parking lot and take the free shuttle to and from L’Auberge from 8:30am to 1:30pm.
Wednesday, October 27
7pm, KEYNOTE with Michelle Usibelli – Streaming Live Online
“The World Through My Eyes; My Journey From Reference Photo to Canvas”
This year’s Festival judge and Keynote Speaker, Michelle Usibelli, will be live-streaming her Keynote on the Sedona Arts Center’s Facebook page at 7pm Wednesday evening.
Thursday, October 28
Paint Out at Sedona Heritage Museum
10am to Noon
Turn back the clock as our plein air artists create a painting in just two hours on the grounds of the Sedona Heritage Museum. It’s a chance to get to know the artists and pick your favorites. Watch them paint scenes out of the Old West with horse and buggy and enjoy the spectacular landscape. Awards will be announced and works will be available to purchase at noon.
Friday, October 29
Awards Night!
Held at Sedona Arts Center’s Special Exhibition Gallery and Theatre Studio in the Historic Art Barn. Fine wine, fine hors d’oeuvres and fine art. This is the big event. Artist’s awards are presented throughout the evening recognizing the best work created during the week including Best of Show and merit awards by Festival Judge Michelle Usibelli, Artist’s Choice Award, Collectors Choice by ballot and Sedona Arts Center Awards.
Saturday, October 30
Final Main Street Paint Out!
10am to Noon
Watch Festival artists for the last time this year, from start to finish as they paint on Main Street in Uptown Sedona. The event will feature live painting along Highway 89A from Sedona Arts Center to the Visitor’s Center. The art will be for sale and artists’ awards announced starting at noon at Sedona Arts Center. Food truck and final sales available until 2pm.
For more information and the complete list of our sponsors, please visit SedonaPleinAirFestival.org or call 928-282-3809.
