Release Date: August 7,2026
The Ohio Plein Air Society to Host 2026 Annual Plein Air Competition in Akron. September 17 - 20, 2026
August 7, 2026, Akron, OH — The Ohio Plein Air Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting outdoor painting and the visual arts, will host its Annual Art Challenge from September 17–20, 2026, at Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St. in Akron.
Approximately 100 artists are expected to participate in the event, with nearly 90 percent coming from across Ohio. After being held in Millersburg for the past two years, the competition will take place in Akron for both 2026 and 2027, bringing artists and visitors into the heart of Summit County. Many participating travelling artists will be bringing family and friends who will stay in local hotels, dine at area restaurants, and contribute valuable tourism dollars to the community.
The Ohio Plein Air Society is working to increase artist participation and connect with the many talented painters throughout the region. With Summit County’s strong and growing arts community, the organization hopes to encourage even more artists to take part in this engaging and creative event.
All artists are welcome. Registration is required and the deadline is Saturday, September 12th, 2026. Registration fees are $90 for non-members and $60 for members. Artists will check in at the Summit Artspace on Thursday, September 17, and paint throughout the weekend in various locations in Summit County.
We invite the public to attend the final day, Sunday September 20th, where the participating artists will present their finished works for display and judging. This will take place at the Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St. in Akron. Some art will be for sale. The exhibition will be judged by Charles Basham, with awards that include monetary prizes, art supplies, and exhibition opportunities donated by sponsors. There will be over $7000 in prizes. The awards announcements start at 1:00 pm.
For additional information, visit: https://www.ohiopleinairsociety.com/