In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the Plein Air Salon competition, with monthly cycles leading to the announcement of the annual winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition.
The competition is sponsored by PleinAir Magazine, but all types of paintings are eligible and do not need to have been completed in plein air, but should originate from a plein air study or plein air experience. There are 18 categories of different genres and media to submit a painting in.
First, Second, and Third Place, along with the category winners of each monthly contest, are automatically entered into the annual competition. First prize in the annual Salon is $15,000 cash and the publication of the winning image on the cover of PleinAir Magazine, along with a feature story. Second Place earns an artist $3,000 and an article in the digital edition of PleinAir Magazine. Third Place yields $1,500 in cash.
Artists also earn cash for the top prizes in the monthly contests. First Place winners receive $600, with $300 going to Second Place and $100 going to ThirdPlace.
The awards for the 10th annual PleinAir Salon will be presented virtually at PleinAir Live on April 17, 2021. Here’s a look at the watercolor paintings in the running for the $15K Grand Prize.
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