The annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitationalwill return for its 28th year, offering the public the opportunity to watch and meet artists as they paint in the elements along the scenic, historic coastline. The event, organized by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), will begin on October 3rd, welcoming 30 of the country’s top artists.
Geoff Allen, Granting Wishes, watercolor, 14 x 18 in.
Over the course of the nine-day event, participants will capture the scenery of Laguna Beach, from the well-loved shores of Heisler Park to the deep golds and russet colors of the canyons in the fall, to the region's towering sycamores. Painting on the sides of roadways, they notice the beauty taken for granted in everyday life.
“The mission of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association is to connect outdoor painters, globally,” says Toni Kellenberg, president of the association. “But it’s also about the history of our art colony in Laguna Beach. Back in 1918, a group of artists came together and founded the first Laguna Beach Art Association; they were, for the most part, outdoor painters…who we celebrate today.”
Mike Ishikawa, Yachts Aglow, pastel, 12 x 18 in.
The invitational offers a variety of opportunities to witness the artists at work along with additional programming the public is invited to attend. Festivities begin on Saturday, October 3, with the Welcome to Laguna Paint Out held in Heisler Park. On October 4, the games begin with the Quick Draw Painting Competition, where artists are challenged to complete a painting in two hours, followed by a silent auction. “It’s a similar program each year, but it’s always different,” says Kellenberg. “There are new artists who have never participated and competed at this level…so there’s trepidation, there’s excitement, there’s a lot of nervous energy. But at the end of the day, there’s the awe of being together with artists…and that they are amongst masters.”
Don Demers, Rhythms of Crystal Cove, oil, 11 x 14 in.
In a new twist this year, LPAPAis partnering with the Coast Film & Music Festival, in conjunction with Coast Film Foundation, to present Music & Art Weekend, October 3 and 4. The event marks the inagural Concerts in Canyon concert series at the historic Irvine Bowl on the Festival of Arts grounds. The rest of the week feature artist talks, demonstrations, Q&A panels, happy hours and a paint out where Laguna College of Art and Design students compete for scholarship awards.
One of the artists to watch at this year’s event is Mason Williams, who participated in the youth programming in the invitational and is now painting alongside the masters he grew up admiring.
“He started in the program and he was an award winner, and is now a signature member of our organization,” says Kellenberg. “He is a second-time participant in our invitational, and to be able to have that connection with an artist that [started as a youth just learning] and now has reached this level of accomplishment is special.”
Jason Li, the 2025 Best in Show Winner, painting in Laguna Beach.
At the conclusion of the event, artists will reveal their paintings at the Collector’s Gala pARTy on Saturday, October 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Festival of Arts grounds. Works will be on view and avalable for purchase through 4 p.m. the following day. For a detailed schedule of events visit lpapa.org. —
Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational
October 3-11, 2026
LPAPA Gallery 414 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
(949) 376-3635, lpapa.org
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