Evanston Plein Air Festival Exhibit at Saw Room Gallery
The Saw Room Gallery, inside Alley Gallery, is hosting the 5th Annual Plein Air Festival Exhibit, featuring works by competing artists and festival participants through the years.
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 11, 5-7p. All works are for sale and a great opportunity to start your plein air art collection.
Exhibit dates: July 5-20
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 11, 5-7p, RSVP here
Address: 1712 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
5th Annual Evanston Plein Air Festival • July 11 -19, 2026
Evanston Made presents the 5th Annual Evanston Plein Air Festival: July 11-19, 2026. This citywide summer arts festival invites the community to plein air art events and competitions hosted in every neighborhood, accessible and free for all! Watch competing artists paint in the Plein Air style, capturing Evanston’s beauty and start your plain air art collection!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
PAINT OUTS
July 12 – 18, Paint Outs. Paint Outs are “quick paint” competitions for competing plein air painters! Watch painters work during the painting time and join us for award ceremonies.
- July 12 – ARRINGTON LAGOON. Awards: 4p, Café au Lake, 1647 Sheridan Rd. INFO
- July 14 – GREENWOOD BEACH. Awards: 6:30p. Dawes Park Picnic Area, 1700 Sheridan Road, Picnic Table D. INFO
- July 15 – CENTRAL STREET. Awards: 6:30p. Independence Park, Central St. INFO
- July 16 – DOWNTOWN EVANSTON. Awards at 6:30p. LeTour, 625 Davis St. INFO
- July 17 – MAIN DEMPSTER MILE. Awards at 6:30p. Plein Air Block Party, 514 Main St. INFO
- July 18 – EVANSTON FARMERS MARKET. Awards at 12p. Evanston Made Tent, 1800 Maple Ave. INFO
BLOCK PARTY
Friday, July 17 – Plein Air Festival Block Party. Hosted by the Main Dempster Mile, this block party features paintings from the day’s Paint Out competition, your chance to shop a plein air art market, live music and delicious drinks and bites for purchase! FREE to attend, no rain date! 514 Main St. 5:30-7:30p. Click here for INFO.
FESTIVAL FINALE
Sunday, July 19, Plein Air Festival Grand Finale
Join us for an afternoon of art, awards, a plein air cafe and an Outdoor Art Market to purchase plein air paintings.
The space for this year’s Festival Finale has been donated by Rotary International, in Downtown Evanston and features en Plein Air Cafe. Chef Anthony from Rotary’s Cafe International creates a festival menu of small bites and wine for festival goers to purchase and enjoy en Plein Air, in the sunken garden in front of Rotary Headquarters, 1560 Sherman Ave. Hosted by Evanston Made and Rotary International, this event is FREE to attend. RSVP here.
Vote Festival! Enter Rotary International’s lobby to view submitted art and vote Festival Favorite, 12-3p