Dueling Brushes Monday, May 11, 2026 | 5:30–8:00 PMNew Bern Farmers Market Get ready for one of the most exciting nights of the week—Dueling Brushes, a fast-paced, live painting competition where creativity meets strategy and teamwork. Featured artists, grouped into […]
Youth Plein Air Workshop In partnership with ArtHouse Art Studio Sponsored by Seeds of Art nonprofit The NC Plein Air Art Festival is proud to present the Annual Youth Plein Air Workshop, a hands-on creative experience introducing young artists […]
GALLERY CLOSED FOR JUDGING- 3:00 PM-6:00 PM (Ticketed Reception 5 PM-6:00 PM - -REOPENS TO PUBLIC 6:00 PM Festival headquarters, and the NC Plein Air Art Festival Exhibition and Sales Gallery will be based at Historic New Bern’s Farmers Market, […]
🎨 VIP Passport Competition Preview An Exclusive First Look at 40+ Newly Revealed Works Saturday, May 16 • 5:00–6:00 PM The anticipation builds all week — and on Saturday afternoon, everything changes. Just hours before the preview begins, the artists […]
Saturday, May 16 • 6:00–8:00 PMOpen to the Public At 6:00 PM, the doors open wide — and the decisive moment arrives. Just hours earlier, artists stood in the gallery making final adjustments — refining placements, reconsidering sightlines, and preparing […]
Seeing Light Before You Paint May 17, 18, 19, 2026 This watercolor workshop is designed to give participants more than technical instruction—it provides multiple ways of thinking, seeing, and problem-solving that can be directly applied to capturing light in watercolor […]
Online Pre-registration will open January 20, 2026 $15.00 Open Adult (18+) FREE Youth Category (ages 10-17) 2026 Plein Air New Bern Quick Paint Event Agenda The North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival is pleased to host its 2025 Quick Paint […]
Festival Headquarters and Main Exhibition GalleryHistoric New Bern Farmers Market 421 S Front Street, New Bern, NC(Less than two blocks from Tryon Palace) The NC Plein Air Art Festival Exhibition and Sales Gallery is centrally located at Historic New Bern’s […]
Locate artists in the field with the En Plein Air Artists locator app - Free download in both Google Play Store and Apple Apps. Grab your hat, sunscreen, (or umbrella) along with a lawn chair, and join us in […]