Suffolk Plein Air Festival
SEPTEMBER 9-13, 2025
The City of Suffolk, Virginia is gearing up for the 5th Annual Suffolk Plein Air Festival, September 9-13, 2025.
The SPAF 2025 CASH AWARDS will be given for the Best In Show, $3,000, 2nd Place, $1,000, along with 3rd Place, $500. Additionally, there are monetary awards given for Best: Historic, Waterfront, Farmland, Rural, & Cityscape paintings.
2025 Suffolk Plein Air Festival Schedule of events:
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Artists check-in and begin painting Suffolk, VA
September 10-13, 2025
Juried Plein Air Artists paint Suffolk Virginia's historic downtown, pristine waterways, and rural farmlands.
September 10 from 10-3 pm
Plein Air Painting Workshop with Matt Lively
Open registration for participants to explore the En Plein Air technique with this year's juror, and professional artist, Matt Lively, at the Historic Pinner House. Cost $125/person for this 4 hour workshop. Click Here for registration.
On Friday, September 12th from 6:00 - 9:30 PM, artists and patrons will gather at the Suffolk Art Gallery for the much-anticipated 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree'. Attendees will have the chance to meet the artists, view their new artwork and purchase an incredibly special piece of Suffolk themed artwork to adorn their home or business. 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree' tickets include scrumptious food, an open bar, and live music.
On Saturday, September 13th from 12- 2 PM, in conjunction with Suffolk's annual ‘Taste of Suffolk’ Downtown Street Festival, Youth, ages 10-17, and Adults of ALL abilities are invited to paint outside, ‘en plein air’, during the “PAINT the TASTE” event. This is a chance for novice to experienced painters to try their hand at plein air painting. The QuickDraw format is extremely exciting ~ the goal is to quickly produce an original piece of artwork in only 120 minutes! Prizes will be awarded, and “PAINT the TASTE” Artists are encouraged to sell their Suffolk Plein Air artwork to the interested crowds during the 'Taste of Suffolk'.
The success of Suffolk Plein Air Festival is a tribute to the vision and collaboration of the Suffolk community. So many wonderful people have opened their homes to host some of our out-of-town artists for the week. Others have offered their properties as locations for the artists to paint. Generous business and patron sponsors stepped up to ensure the Arts are accessible for all, bringing together artists of all skill levels and ages – younger and older – providing rich experiences for the community at large.
For more information about the Suffolk Plein Air Festival 2025 Sponsorship, Events, or Volunteering, please contact Festival Coordinators at: [email protected].
The SPAF 2025 CASH AWARDS will be given for the Best In Show, $3,000, 2nd Place, $1,000, along with 3rd Place, $500. Additionally, there are monetary awards given for Best: Historic, Waterfront, Farmland, Rural, & Cityscape paintings.
2025 Suffolk Plein Air Festival Schedule of events:
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Artists check-in and begin painting Suffolk, VA
September 10-13, 2025
Juried Plein Air Artists paint Suffolk Virginia's historic downtown, pristine waterways, and rural farmlands.
September 10 from 10-3 pm
Plein Air Painting Workshop with Matt Lively
Open registration for participants to explore the En Plein Air technique with this year's juror, and professional artist, Matt Lively, at the Historic Pinner House. Cost $125/person for this 4 hour workshop. Click Here for registration.
On Friday, September 12th from 6:00 - 9:30 PM, artists and patrons will gather at the Suffolk Art Gallery for the much-anticipated 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree'. Attendees will have the chance to meet the artists, view their new artwork and purchase an incredibly special piece of Suffolk themed artwork to adorn their home or business. 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree' tickets include scrumptious food, an open bar, and live music.
On Saturday, September 13th from 12- 2 PM, in conjunction with Suffolk's annual ‘Taste of Suffolk’ Downtown Street Festival, Youth, ages 10-17, and Adults of ALL abilities are invited to paint outside, ‘en plein air’, during the “PAINT the TASTE” event. This is a chance for novice to experienced painters to try their hand at plein air painting. The QuickDraw format is extremely exciting ~ the goal is to quickly produce an original piece of artwork in only 120 minutes! Prizes will be awarded, and “PAINT the TASTE” Artists are encouraged to sell their Suffolk Plein Air artwork to the interested crowds during the 'Taste of Suffolk'.
The success of Suffolk Plein Air Festival is a tribute to the vision and collaboration of the Suffolk community. So many wonderful people have opened their homes to host some of our out-of-town artists for the week. Others have offered their properties as locations for the artists to paint. Generous business and patron sponsors stepped up to ensure the Arts are accessible for all, bringing together artists of all skill levels and ages – younger and older – providing rich experiences for the community at large.
For more information about the Suffolk Plein Air Festival 2025 Sponsorship, Events, or Volunteering, please contact Festival Coordinators at: [email protected].
