2026 Plein Air Festival

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute’s 5th Annual Plein Air Festival is an open-enrollment plein air event in Western New York. Plein air painting means painting outside, responding to the moment and changing light, much like many of the early Impressionist artists. At our event artists will discover the beautiful natural scenery in beautiful Chautauqua County, as well as other natural areas throughout Western New York (WNY) — think Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park and more! Artists are encouraged to create works at various locations within WNY, with suggested locations provided two weeks before the festival.

Following a week of creating artworks en plein air (using their own canvases that will be stamped for the event at RTPI), artists will display their completed artworks at the show and sale on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2026. All artworks submitted to the show will also be entered into a judged plein air art competition, with awards announced during the closing reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m on Saturday, September 19. All works submitted to the show will also be considered for an exhibition of plein air artworks at RTPI, to be held in the Fall of 2026.

Prize money will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place: $700, $500, and $300, respectively. Painters may paint anywhere in Western New York; however, RTPI will provide a list of suggested locations. Click the link below for a list of frequently asked questions.
Artist FAQ

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, is a living embodiment of the Peterson Field Guide, while preserving Peterson’s original artwork, prints, archives, photographs, and study skins. It is a gateway to the natural wonders that inspired Roger Tory Peterson to his career as one of the world’s premier artist-naturalists. With a 27-acre nature preserve of wildflower gardens, pollinator meadows, and mature stands of hemlock trees, the Peterson Preserve is a sanctuary for visitors.

Artist credit: Kristen Muench, Chautauqua Gorge painting on location 2025

Our judge for this year’s festival is artist Karlene VanDeusen.

Woods and water inspire Karlene VanDeusen’s expressive representation of pastoral landscapes in pastel, gouache, acrylic, and oil. Her goal is to convey the essence of a scene through emotion, temperature, and bold shapes, rather than literal representation. This approach allows the viewer to fill in missing pieces and engage with the work personally. VanDeusen usually begins her work outdoors and finishes in her studio.

With a degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, VanDeusen felt prepared for her career as a Retail Layout Artist. These days, she is primarily a pastelist. She loves the way she can apply many layers of pastel, with color chips underneath peeking through. VanDeusen’s works can be found displayed in homes and offices across the United States and internationally. More information about her work can be found on her website: kvandeusendesign.com