En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air” and refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. In 2020, the Paint Creek Plein Air Painters (PCPAP) club started as a group of people seeking connection and creativity during the global pandemic. In the last 5 years, the Paint Creek Plein Air Painters have gone from a collective of 8 artists to over 80.
The 2025 Plein Air Exhibition features the works included in the highly anticipated PCPAP book, which showcases 20 PCCA artists and over 90 individual, high-quality artwork images from the various locations the PCPAP have visited between 2020 and 2024. PCCA will have copies of the book for sale during this exhibition as well as in our Art Market, though inventory will be limited.
While the PCPAP group continues to grow and change, their unwavering devotion to painting en plein air has created a community fostering artistic growth, personal achievement, and friendship. Join us in celebrating them and their work in our Plein Air exhibit this summer.
Opening Reception
Our opening receptions serve as an opportunity for artists to invite friends and family, while socializing with other art enthusiasts in our community. The opening reception for Plein Air will take place on Friday, July 18 from 4pm – 7pm. Brief announcements will be made at 6pm.
Attendance is free to the public. PCCA will provide light refreshments. Featured artists will receive a nametag to wear during the exhibition.
Attendees can purchase any of the art listed for sale during the opening reception and throughout the duration of the show. Find a PCCA staff member in the building to notify them that you’d like to make a purchase.
Parking is available but limited along Pine Street outside of PCCA. Free parking is also available at Rochester Municipal Park, a short walk north of our building. Parking at the deck at 4th Street and Walnut is free for the first hour and $1.25 for each additional hour. ATTENDEES OF THE RECEPTION SHOULD NOT park in the lots of neighboring businesses, or on the lawn at PCCA.
Gallery Talk
Serving as the exhibition’s closing reception, join us on Thursday, August 7th from 6-8pm for an engaging and thought-provoking gallery talk led by PCCA Instructor Charles Pompilius, including insight from various artists featured in the book. More information about speaking artists TBA.
