The Durango Arts Center is proud to announce a juried exhibit for members of the Plein Air Painters of the Four Corners, running from September 5 – October 25, 2025. We will host a grand opening celebration in the DAC Gallery on September 5, 5:00-7:00pm, with food from The Mahogany Grill, cash bar, gallery viewing, and a meet-and-greet with the artists. The exhibit will be juried on September 3, prior to the grand opening, with first, second, third, and honorable mention ribbons being awarded.
The Plein Air Painters were founded in the 1990s by Jane Clayton, Kathy Walling, Fran Mayfield and Judy Morgan. Their goal was to inspire and encourage painting enthusiasts to collaborate, sharing techniques and locations while honing their skills in the southwestern countryside. Following in the tradition of French impressionists, Plein Air Painters paint on-site, immersed in nature and working together to express joy, friendship, and a love of the outdoor painting experience.
QUICK DRAW COMPETITION
August 27, 8:00am-1:00pm
We will be hosting a Quick Draw Competition on August 27, sponsored by DAC and the Plein Air Painters. The event is open to any community artist who wants to participate!
How does it work? It’s simple: if you want to paint, meet at the DAC at 8:00am. Bring your blank paper, canvas, or panel to the DAC, where it will be stamped and a $10 fee will be collected. You are then free to paint at the location of your choice: downtown, in the neighborhoods, or out in nature! You must return your painting, framed, wired, and ready to hang, by 1:00pm.
Local artist Maryellen Morrow will be hosting the event. All Quick Draw entries will hang on a separate wall from the main show and will be juried and awarded by Maureen May, one of Durango’s most amazing artists.
Participants can pick up rejected work on September 3 from 2:00-6:00pm.
