PleinAir Magazine - June Pleinair Salon Online Art Competition

• PleinAir Magazine

• Deadline: June 30th, 2025

• Category: Paintings

• Prize: $50,000 in Total Cash Prizes + Publication

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

Thirteen years ago, Eric Rhoads—whose passion for outdoor painting led him to found PleinAir magazine—launched a juried competition aimed at kindling a spirit of friendly rivalry reminiscent of the famed French Salon. Today, the PleinAir Salon has evolved into a comprehensive, web-based contest that runs without interruption over a twelve-month cycle. Each month operates as its own mini-salon, complete with its own panel of judges and its own monetary rewards, culminating in a blockbuster Annual Competition that unites the finest works produced during the year.

Collectively, the PleinAir Salon dispenses fifty-thousand dollars in cash—a figure that underscores the organization’s commitment to materially supporting working artists. Beyond financial gratification, winners gain prestige: the overall Grand Prize painting is reproduced on PleinAir’s glossy cover, positioning the artist squarely in front of one of the largest readerships devoted to outdoor and representational art.

Visibility begins long before the final round. Monthly winners earn immediate cash, appear in the print magazine, get profiled in high-circulation digital newsletters, and are broadcast across PleinAir’s websites and thriving social channels. Every victory also secures a berth in the year-end showdown.

That grand finale coincides with the Plein Air Convention & Expo, an annual gathering of painters, collectors, and instructors. During the May 2024 session, the 13th Annual PleinAir Salon Awards will be presented live, climaxing in the presentation of a $15,000 Grand Prize check—a moment that often marks a turning point in an artist’s career trajectory.