Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/prairie-lakes-plein-air-2025.html
FEE: Go to link for various fees
The Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series is a festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to professional and non-professional artists of all skill levels. Enjoy your summer painting in the idyllic setting of Otter Tail County, situated in West-Central Minnesota lakes country. Delve into the pristine landscape of gently rolling hills and fertile farmland amongst clear blue lakes and streams for an inspirational painting experience. Attend Plein Air demos & workshops (artists to be announced soon).
Artists and collectors will enjoy many activities including the Opening Reception, Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint competition. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of Plein Air motifs and styles of artwork.
Schedule of Events
Opening Day for Artists June 21, 2025 10 am - 12 pm
Artists meet at the Creative Arts Center, 112 Main St W, Battle Lake, MN
Pick up your welcome packets.
Mark Windahl will present on plein air concepts and history.
Shanna Cramer will cover some of what to expect with PLPA 25.
Bring your questions!
We'll paint out following the presentations. Bring your supplies and paint along!
Plein Air Competition June 21- August 28, 2025
Throughout the summer, artists will be painting Plein Air in and around our Battle Lake community and Otter Tail County. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe as the artists seek to represent the shifting light, extraordinary colors and textures of our varied rural landscape. We ask that participants and observers do not block entrances/traffic ways to businesses. Free to the public; artists must register.
Demonstrations/Workshops
To explore a variety of en Plein Air styles and techniques, artists and community members will have the opportunity to attend a range of art classes and artist talks with our featured artists.
Classes and Workshops will be announced soon
Weekend Festivities August 29 & 30, 2025
Our Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series will be capped off with a full weekend of enjoyable events all happening in or near Battle Lake.
Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony
Friday evening, 6-8 pm, August 29, 2025 TICKETED
The Collector's Preview and Award Ceremony will be an art-lovers' social event and a rare opportunity to view artworks from prominent plein air painters from around the Midwest. This exhibition of works by the competition participants will be held in the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake. Grand Prize winners will be announced in a special award ceremony by oil and pastel painter and this year's judge, Cheryl LeClair-Sommer. Come and be inspired!
Tickets purchased in advance: $8 AOTL members, $10 non-members
Tickets purchased at the door: $20
TICKETS
Tickets will be available soon
Quick Paint Saturday, 9:30 - 11:30 am, August 30, 2025
Participating artists will be found painting throughout Battle Lake within earshot of the CAC. Vote for your favorite from 12pm to 2:45 pm. People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards are announced at 3 pm.
Plein Air Demonstration with Cheryl LeClair-Sommer
Saturday, 1 - 3 pm, August 30, 2025
To inspire those who want to know more about Plein Air painting, join judge Cheryl LeClair-Sommer in or near the CAC as she provides a demonstration and shares tips and answers your questions.
Quick Paint Awards Saturday, 3 pm, August 30, 2025
Our Prairie Lakes en Plein Air festival concludes at the CAC where Quick Paint Awards will be presented and competition paintings will be on display.
Competition Exhibition August 30 - September 27, 2025
The Art of the Lakes Gallery will be open for the general public to view paintings from this event and make purchases.
Competition Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer
Competition Class
$1000 - Best in Show
$500 - 2nd Place Award
$250 - 3rd Place Award
$150 - People's Choice Award
$50 - 3 Honorable Mentions
Quick Paint (Must be painted at the August 30 event)
$75 - People's Choice
$75 - Artists' Choice
Open Class
Recognition Award and Judge's Feedback
About Our Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer is a Minnesota based representational painter working mainly in oils, featuring works that highlight the natural world. Her main focus, painting landscapes directly outside, originates from her spiritual connection to the land and reverence for nature's raw beauty. Studio paintings feature the natural world as observed through the human imprint.
