Plein Air Nantucket

Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) is pleased to host the annual Plein Air Nantucket, a plein air painting festival in its 12th year. Running from Tuesday, June 13 to Sunday, June 18, the festival is open to all outdoor painters. It will conclude with a reception and presentation of the Frank Swift Chase Awards on Sunday, June 18, 5 P.M. at the Big Gallery, upstairs at 12 Straight Wharf. Plein Air Nantucket is open to all artists, at any skill level, who wish to paint pristine scenery and enjoy the camaraderie of painting with peers. There is no fee to participate or attend.

Sign-up starts June 13 and the public is always welcome.

Festival Headquarters 2023 — Big Gallery, upstairs at 12 Straight Wharf
Starting June 13, we invite all those interested to exhibit their fresh artworks daily as they are completed for sale on our festival “Wet Walls.” Many artworks will hang for sale through June 26.

Festival Events:

Annual Paint Out, “Paint Out At Folger’s Marsh”, June 14, 10 am to 3 pm
At two locations off of Polpis Road, painters have been officially welcomed by both the Shipwreck Museum, 158 Polpis Road, and the UMass Field Station, 180 Polpis Road. Folger’s Marsh and its surroundings will offer gorgeous opportunities for the artists and the public to view a pristine habitat. Open to all artists. Carpooling strongly encouraged. The Shipwreck Museum shuttle will be leaving from Visitors Services (25 Federal St.) on the half hour 9:30 - 3:30, with hourly returns and a final return at 5 pm.

Quick Paint, two locations simultaneously
The Creeks Preserve, 2 Milestone Road, June 15, 10 am to 12:30 pm
Children’s Beach, Harbor Way, June 15, 10 am to 12:30 pm
The Nantucket Land Bank has welcomed a group of AAN painters to join the public visitors to The Creeks Preserve. The town has invited us to paint at Children’s Beach. Artists at both locations will participate in a timed painting session.

Closing Reception and presentation of the Frank Swift Chase Awards on Sunday, June 18, 5 P.M. at the Big Gallery, upstairs at 12 Straight Wharf.

The Plein Air Nantucket festival is sponsored, in part, through the generous support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.