Mendocino Open Paint Out – A Plein Air Festival
on Northern California's Beautiful Mendocino Coast
September 24–26, 2021
The Mendocino Art Center (MAC) hosts the Mendocino Open Paint Out (MOPO), a plein air festival established in 2013. The Mendocino Coast, located along a beautiful expanse of the Pacific Ocean in northern California, is a spectacular setting to paint en plein air. Artists claim that the quality of light is unlike anywhere else in the world.
From the rugged surrounding landscape, to the bay and beaches, to the quaint Victorian architecture and water towers in the town of Mendocino, to the nearby vineyards and wineries, artists are sure to find abundant creative inspiration, and will remember the beauty and tranquility of the Mendocino Coast long after visiting.
The Mendocino Open Paint Out is open to the public!
Come visit the Mendocino Art Center as we welcome dozens of oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media artists for the Mendocino Open Paint Out. All events are free and open to the public – wet paint sales and exhibitions; featured artist demonstrations (donations requested); Quick Draw Competition, Voting and Sale; the Awards Presentation and Celebration; and watching the artists paint on location.
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
For the safety of all Mendocino Art Center visitors, COVID-19 safety protocols are observed. All Mendocino Open Paint Out participants, staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated and will be wearing masks at all times. Visitors must also wear masks on the Mendocino Art Center campus, both inside and outside, and observe social distancing guidelines.
Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
9am-11am
Watch featured artist Dale Laitinen paint – on the bluff above Portuguese Beach Mendocino *
11am-7pm
On Exhibit: Wet Paint Sales of Paint Out artwork, Featured Artist Exhibition, Artists Showcase Exhibition, spotlighting one painting by each participating artist
5pm-6:30pm
Featured artist demonstration: Ellen Howard, “Capturing the Drama of the Sunset” – How to Manage the Intense Chromatic Colors Correctly”
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
9am-7pm
On Exhibit: Wet Paint Sales of Paint Out artwork, Featured Artist Exhibition, Artists Showcase Exhibition, spotlighting one painting by each participating artist
9am-11am
Watch featured artist Ellen Howard paint – at Main Street and Kasten Street, Mendocino *
5pm-6:30pm
Featured artist demonstration: Dale Laitinen, “Shape-shifting, Abstracting Coastal Subjects” – Using Inventive Shapes to Blend Representation with Abstraction
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
9am-5pm
On Exhibit: Wet Paint Sales of Paint Out artwork, Featured Artist Exhibition, Artists Showcase Exhibition, spotlighting one painting by each participating artist
10am-12pm
Watch the Quick Draw Competition – at the Mendocino Art Center. Artists will be painting on the MAC grounds, as well as on Little Lake Street, extending from Kasten Street to the Heeser cross street.
1pm-2pm
Vote for your favorite Quick Draw painting & browse the Quick Draw Sale at the Mendocino Art Center
2:30pm-3pm
Awards presentation and celebration
SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 31
Wednesdays-Sundays, 11am-4pm
View a curated selection of paintings created during the event during a special Mendocino Open Paint Out Exhibit
Schedule subject to change.
* Location subject to change.
Support for the Mendocino Open Paint Out has been provided by
Big River Coffee • Café Beaujolais • Good Life Café and Bakery • Harvest Market • North Coast Brewing Company • Racine’s/Spunky Skunk • Roundman’s Smoke House • Safeway • Sea Pal Cove Restaurant • Stanford Inn by the Sea • Village Veterinary
Sandy Bradford • Thomas Heim • John Hewitt • Patrick “Rick” Keller • Debra Lennox • Dale E. & Susan Louise Moyer • Janis Porter
Our Featured Artists
Dale Laitinen
Ellen Howard