Plein Air Painting Festival Features Bluff Country Views and Over Forty Regional Artists Compete

Plein Air Painting Schedule

October 3-16, 2025

Artists will be painting outdoors within a 15-mile radius of downtown La Crosse, WI creating works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, or gouache, each finished on site and prepared for exhibition.

Within a 15-mile radius of downtown La Crosse, WI
Artists works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, or gouache.
Artists complete their work on site and ready it for exhibition and sale at Gallery 1802

Jon Erickson painting near La Crescent, Minnesota.

Jon Erickson and Julie Johnston will be focused on wetlands, trees and bluffs for their painting locations this year as they both compete in the 12th annual Between the Bluffs painting event. Their work will be displayed and for sale at the Art Show Oct. 17-19 at Gallery 1802 in La Crosse. View Julie Johnstons artist website here: https://juliejohnstonart.com/. You can also view Jon in action with a public demonstration. Details below.

Demonstrations

October 11

There will be 4 artists (subject to change) demonstrating oil and watercolor painting. Our demonstrating artists are Jon Erickson, Kathie Wheeler, Paul Bergquist, and Bob Witte.

Myrick Park
2107 La Crosse, St.
9:00am – 12:00pm

Artist Reception
& Awards October 17

The reception will be open to the public. Awards will be handed out at around 7:00pm.

Gallery 1802
1802 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Public Show
& Sale
October 18 – 19
Come view original paintings of the local area created during the festival. This event is open to the public, no show admission fee.
- Gallery 1802
  1802 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601
- October 18 10:00am – 4:00pm
  October 19 12:00pm – 3:00pm