Twenty-eighth Annual LPAPA Invitational kicks off tomorrow
Tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 3), Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting (LPAPA) welcomes the arrival of its invited artists and kicks off the 28th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. Join them in celebrating Laguna’s living art legacy. Thirty premier artists descend on Laguna Beach to compete for more than $50,000 in prizes.
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Photos courtesy of LPAPA
From October 3 through October 11, 30 of the nation’s top award-winning plein air painters transform Laguna Beach into an open-air studio
As LPAPA’s flagship fundraiser of the year, and the core of its mission, these nine days are vital to sustaining their nonprofit, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Here is how your participation makes a lasting difference:
Collect Art: Proceeds from every canvas sold support both LPAPA’s nonprofit mission and the hardworking artists behind the brush.
Attend Events: Ticket sales make premier experiences possible, including the Collectors Art Party and the Plein Talk at the Laguna Art Museum.
Become a member: LPAPA Membership is open to all artists and art lovers, living anywhere in the world.
Preserve Tradition: Your support safeguards Laguna’s 100+-year plein air heritage for generations to come.
With the Coast Film & Music Foundation’s Concerts in the Canyon rescheduled to 2027 and the unexpected change to beverage service at the Festival of Arts grounds, LPAPA is using its creative spirit – when given lemons, LPAPA makes lemonade. They’re excited to reshape their Collectors Art Party by hosting open on-trend craft zero-proof mocktail bars. To keep members and e-news subscribers “in the know,” here is the schedule.
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Artist participates in the Welcome Paint Out
Welcome Paint Out
Saturday, Oct. 3, Heisler Park, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
LPAPA is kicking off the week-long celebration with a “Welcome to Laguna” Paint Out to celebrate plein air painting and extend a warm welcome to the arriving Invitational Artists.
Gather along the cliffs of Heisler Park to join LPAPA in welcoming our Invitational Artists as they arrive to paint the town and compete for top awards.
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Quick Draw competition on October 4
Sunday Quick Draw & Silent Auction
Sunday, Oct. 4 (Free Community Event)
Heisler Park, 1-3 p.m. | Festival of Arts, 3-6 p.m.
Join LPAPA for an action-packed opening Sunday as their 30 Invitational Artists compete in a live two-hour painting challenge.
Meet the artists, place your bids in the live Silent Auction, and cast your vote for the Quick Draw Award winner. Festival of Arts | 3-6 p.m.
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LBUSD student joins Invitational Future Generation Paint Out
Invitational Future Generation Paint Out
Monday Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Heisler Park
LPAPA is proud to empower local LBUSD students (4th-12th grade) through their youth mentoring program. Paired with professional plein air artists, students experience creating a plein air masterpiece.
The students’ work will be exhibited at the LPAPA Gallery October 15 through November 30, with 100% of all proceeds from student art sales directly benefitting LBUSD schools’ art programs.
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Laguna Plein Nocturne Paint Out
Tuesday Oct. 6, 5 p.m., Downtown Laguna Beach
Enjoy an evening stroll as the Laguna Invitational Artists gather for the annual “Just Plein Happy Hour – Laguna Plein Air After Dark” Nocturne Paint Out.
Starting at 5 p.m., the artists will be at their easels along Main Beach, the Promenade on Forest and along Downtown streets to paint captivating nocturnal masterpieces. This is a free public event; no tickets or registration are needed.
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Invitational Next Generation on October 8
Invitational Next Generation Paint Out
Thursday, Oct. 8, Heisler Park
Support the future of fine art. Student artists from Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) will gather at Heisler Park to create plein air paintings in a live scholarship competition. Awards will be revealed during the October 10 Collectors Art Party.
The students’ artwork will be exhibited at the LPAPA Gallery October 14 through November 30. Artwork purchases directly support the student artists and the scholarship fund.
Plein Talk with the Artists & Experts
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Laguna Art Museum
LPAPA’s “Plein Talk” strips away the standard formalities. A panel of master artists, legendary collectors and respected art experts, will delve into LPAPA’s history and Laguna’s artistic legacy. Pre-talk reception at 5:30 p.m. with wine and a delightful spread provided by Chef Lindsay of Nirvana. Purchase LPAPA attendee tickets here. RSVP for a no-host dinner at Nirvana after the talk to continue the conversation here.
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Collectors Art Party on October 8
Collectors Art Party
Saturday, Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m., Laguna Festival of Arts
Immerse yourself in the highlight event of the 28th Annual Invitational. Be among the first to preview and collect breathtaking original works created by master plein air painters. Enjoy a special culinary experience of passed hors d’oeuvres by Chef Lindsay of Nirvana paired with exclusive open zero-proof craft bars.
Be the first to learn the award winners and collect a special plein air masterpiece before the public exhibition. Save 10% with promo code LEMONADE through October 3.
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Kathleen Dunphy, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award winner
2026 Special Awards
Saturday, Oct. 10, Festival of Arts
Don’t miss the Collectors Art Party as they recognize two remarkable leaders for their dedication to LPAPA and the plein air painting tradition:
Invitational Plein Air Festival & Art Show
Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Festival of Arts
Free admission – one day only. Join LPAPA for the final public day of the 28th Annual Invitational.
Meet the artists, view the Invitational artwork and bring home an original masterpiece. Live painting demonstrations and the debut of the “Small Works Sunday” collection. Enjoy food truck lunch options paired with drinks at the LPAPA Lemonade Stand.
For more information on each event, to purchase tickets or to register, click here.
