Plein Air Painting Events

Paint Wyoming Paintings

I have participated in plein air events for several years. Every year there are more of them to choose from. I have been frustrated because many events are now lacking quality in the work produced as well as how the event is organized. These events are also expensive for artists. Housing, entry fees, food, and gas are expenses that are a part of participation and aren't often recouped.  Some event promoters don't do anything to help the artists with these costs and even worse, advertising and promotion can be poor.
I am discovering that the jurying of artists also varies. Politics sometimes plays a factor. Some plein air events have a huge number of participants, which can limit the amount of work the artist can display. No matter what the rules there are also artists who are not used to painting outdoors in a limited time frame, but want to participate in these events because of the popularity. As a result there are often paintings that are not truly plein air.
I have loved participating in these events because I love the variety of landscapes that I have the privilege of painting, I love meeting artists who share my enthusiasm for painting from life, and I enjoy sharing my love of painting with others. It is also amazing to see the variety of work that comes from a short painting time.
I have become more selective in which events I choose to enter.  I look at events that have a history or ones in which I have participated in the past. I look at the activities that are associated with the event, the exhibition venues, and the way the event is promoted. This can only help, but it is no guarantee. Is the event scheduled to attract many collectors? Or is the event primarily created to make money for the promoters? Where are the artists from?How are they selected? Is there any prize money or awards? These are all good questions to ask yourself when you are researching the event.