NC Art Meets
Annual Events
Annual events for live figure drawing, urban sketching, plein air and other drawing or painting from life events in the North Carolina Triangle area
Figure, Fruit, and Field Artists Retreat
Nathalie, VA plein air
Various
$120-175, April 24-26, 2026
This three-day retreat invites artists of all mediums - photography, watercolor, ink, digital, or oil - to come camp on 204 acres of breathtaking Virginia landscape. Let nature be your muse as you explore rolling fields, forests, and curated artistic landmarks. Whether you're an experienced artist or picking up a sketchbook for the first time, you'll find inspiration around every corner.
North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival
New Bern plein air
Various
$15, May 11-18, 2025
Multi-day plein air event. Anyone can paint, but marketing, sales, and the juried show are limited to the invited artists and jurors. Check out their workshops and paint demonstrations which are open to the public. Also, the Quick Paint event on May 18 is open to all artists. The cost above is for the Quick Paint event. Festival headquarters, including demonstrations, workshops, art displays, and sales, will be based at Historic New Bern's Farmers Market.
Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
Blowing Rock plein air
Various
$70-90, August 19-23, 2025
Multi-day plein air event open to visual artists of all ability levels. Work must be painted in Blowing Rock, and a map of recommeded spots is provided. You may optionally submit work to the show which is judged with prizes.
Paint It Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Wet Paint Sale
Hillsborough plein air
Orange County Arts Commission / Eno Arts Mill Gallery
$30, Oct 1-3, 2025
Multi-day plein air event open to artists of all types and ability levels. Work must be painted in Orange County, and a map of some potential spots is provided. You may optionally submit work to the wet paint sale though all work submitted must be for sale. Historically, a high percentage of the pieces sell.
Plein Air Abingdon
Abingdon, VA plein air
Various
$70, Oct 1-4, 2025
Multi-day plein air event open to artists of all types and ability levels in southwest Virginia. They also have a quick paint competition which has a lower entry fee.
Foothills Plein Air Festival
Elkin plein air
Various
TBD, October 14-18, 2026
Multi-day plein air event open to visual artists. Artist paint outs vary in location by day: Yadkins county, Wilkes county, Surry county, and downtown Elkin. You may optionally submit work to the show which is judged with prizes. There is also a quick paint competition. Registration opens on January 1, 2026.
Paint the Forest Plein Air Event
Abingdon, VA plein air
Various
$70, Nov 5-8, 2025
Multi-day plein air event open to artists of all types and ability levels. Work must be painted in Wake Forest at designated sites. They also have a Saturday-only option which has a lower entry fee.
Duke Park Plein Air Festival
Wake Forest plein air
Various
$25-65, 2025 TBA (Last event was September 28, 2024)
Fundraiser for the Durham Park Foundation and organized through Durham Art Guild. I don't know much about this event yet and will post more as I learn.