Prairie Plein Air Artists

We have had an amazing start to the plein air season! The weather has held out for us each night, and the temps haven’t been too terrible (until lately!)

We are averaging 10-12 participants a night, and we’ve welcomed a few new members to our growing clan of artists. Though the heat has been pretty bad the last couple of weeks, we’ve still had participants braving the hot temps and creating amazing things.

Due to the heat, we rescheduled our visit to the Alpaca farm east of Bismarck to September 17th. That way we can have a more comfortable experience with all of ReNay’s animals.

We are almost wrapping up our first half of this season’s paint-outs, but the second half is packed full of fun locations to inspire everyone to keep coming out and making amazing works of art.

We hope to see you out there with us!

UPCOMING PAINT-OUTS:

July 26th (Sunday) – Cross Ranch State Park, 1403 River Rd, Center ND 1:00PM – 4:00PM. West of Mandan, take the Highway 25 exit off I-94, and travel north. Look for the brown state signs to direct you to the park. Park is on the Missouri River bottoms. Meet by the visitor center and look for the PPAA sign. The distance from Bismarck is 42 miles. Note: You will need a park pass.

July 29th (Wednesday) – Dave and Deb Larson, 3600 England St, South Bismarck, River Bottom Home/Property – 6:00PM to 8:30PM – The home in South Bismarck is set back off the road to the west in the trees on a gravel driveway. They have 7 acres of Missouri River bottoms land with mature trees. The property is nicely landscaped, and flowers and trees abound

June 4th (Thursday) – Crown Butte Dam- West of Mandan- 6:00pm- 8:30PM – Take I-94 west to Exit 147 (approximately 4 miles west of Mandan ) take the ramp and go north on Hiway 25 then go west on Co Rd 139A  to Crown Butte Dam (about 4 miles).

Happy holidays, folks! though we are in our off season, I hope you all are finding time to still create throughout this winter.

We all know painting indoors is a different challenge compared to practicing outside, nonetheless, if you have created anything recently indoors or out feel free to share by sending a photo of your work to our email, prairiepleinairartists@gmail.com, and we will happily share it with the groups Facebook page.

If you are looking to flex your Plein Air muscles this cold time of the year, here are a few videos with tips and tutorials on how to endure the colder temps while still painting en plein air!

• 10 TIPS FOR PLEIN AIR SNOW PAINTING Stay warm and safe! with Jon Bradham
• Winter Plein Air Painting with Art Life
• Winter Plein Air Painting with Dennis Tyson Plein Air

We have some fun locations planned for the next season, some of the good ol’ ones and some new ones too! Stay tuned and stay warm!

– David Leingang

PPAA will be having a members show at the Bismarck Downtown Artists Cooperative Galley, at 222 North 4th St in Bismarck from October 3rd to November 1st, 2025. The opening reception will be Friday October 3rd from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

NEXT and FINAL PAINT OUT IS: September 17 (Wednesday) – Ft Lincoln State Park, 4480 Fort Lincoln Rd, Mandan- 5:30pm-8:00PM. Meet in visitors parking lot. We will disburse from there to paint. Fall colors will be showing!  Note: You will need a park pass.

September 3, 2025 (Wednesday)- A NOCTURNAL PAINT OUT-  The Liberty Memorial Bridge, 411 Fraine Barracks Rd, Bismarck. 7:30PM-10:00PM. Park across the street at 701 Cycle and Sport (Epic Sports). Hope to catch a rising moon! Bring lighting for your palette!

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August 27 – (Weds)- Paint On Your Own!  Pick a location(s) you would like to paint. Use the buddy system and  invite a fellow PPAA artist to join you in plein air painting!

August 21 (Thurs) – Sambora Residence-15180 Sundown Dr, Bismarck, ND – 5:30PM to 8:00PM. Take river road hiway 1804 north until you come to 149^th Ave NW. Go west about a mile to get to Sundown Acres follow the curve to mailbox 15180 there will be a PPAA sign. Home is on the Missouri River bottom with mature trees and river views.

August 13 –(Wednesday) – Buckstop Junction, 3805 E Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck – 5:30PM to 8:00pm- Historic buildings, machinery & cars.

August 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday)- Bismarck Arts and Galleries Association -Capital A’Fair, Capitol Grounds, Bismarck- 10:00AM to 1:00PM each day- We will paint in the north west corner of the mall area. We will be west and south of the chalk artists who are in front of the Capitol. There will be a PPAA sign.