Prairie Lakes Plein Air

The Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series is a festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to professional and non-professional artists of all skill levels. Artist will be paingint throughout Otter Tail County starting June 20th up until competition entry. 

Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony 
​Friday, 6-8 pm, Sept 25, 2026 TICKETED-pay at the door.
The Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony will be an art-lovers' social event and a rare opportunity to view artworks from prominent plein air painters from around the Midwest. This exhibition of works by the 2026 PLPA competition participants will be held in the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake. Prize winners will be announced in a special award ceremony by oil painter and this year's judge, Michele Combs. 

join us on Saturday, September 26th for the Quick Paint competition. Artists will be stationed around Battle Lake to complete the quick paint challenge. Vote for your favorite from 12pm to 2:45 pm. People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards announced at 3 pm. 

Competition Exhibition and Sale September 26 - October 24, 2026
The Art of the Lakes Gallery will be open for the general public to view and purchase freshly created plein air works from this event at the height of the fall season. Unsold artwork from this exhibition will move around the state and will be on display with this schedule:

• For the month of November, the exhibition travels to Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls, 
• In December, work will be featured at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.