Sonoma Plein Air Art Festival

Sonoma Plein Air Art Festival Sonoma Plein Air is a weeklong event celebrating the century-old technique of outdoor painting and raises funds to support Sonoma Valley arts education!
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In 1998, Artist Keith Wicks moved to Sonoma with his family to devote more time to painting. After discovering that his then 7-year old daughter received art education only once a month in her public school, Wicks was motivated to create Sonoma Plein Air as a way to help raise money for art in the public schools. Keith Wicks and a dedicated group of Sonoma Valley residents founded the Sonoma Plein

Air Foundation in 2002, a non-profit, all volunteer organization. The mission of the Foundation is to promote plein air (outdoor) painting. And most importantly, to give young people the opportunity to experience art by bringing art education programs back to the children of Sonoma Valley, California. The week-long Sonoma Plein Air is an annual event sponsored by the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to support art education programs to the following:

· Five Sonoma Valley elementary schools

· Two Sonoma Valley middle schools

· The Sonoma Community Center's youth scholarship programs, and their pilot program for high school students

· The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art "Art Rewards the Student" exhibition featuring art from fourth and fifth graders, curated by student interns from Sonoma Valley High School and Hanna Boys Center.

· The Arts Guild of Sonoma for their pilot program for K-5 students

The Sonoma Plein Air Festival has raised over $1.7 million dollars for these causes. The driving force of the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation is the volunteers who donate countless hours to the worthy cause of art education in Sonoma Valley. The other key to the Foundation’s success and an important factor in stimulating the interest and excitement in this event has been the individual Patrons and business Sponsors of Sonoma Plein Air. The Sonoma Plein Air Foundation deeply appreciates their generosity and support. Please see our Sponsorship page for opportunities to help. For information on the Sonoma Plein Air event, please go to the Events page.

Congratulations Sergio Lopez Landscape Painter! Sonoma peeps - come to the release party!
05/14/2026

Congratulations Sergio Lopez Landscape Painter! Sonoma peeps - come to the release party!

We’re excited to announce the upcoming release of Taylor Mountain Panorama Hazy IPA from Fogbelt Brewing Company! This is the 2nd annual beer collaboration between Fogbelt and the Parks Foundation and supports our popular Sonoma County Regional Parks.

This year’s Hazy IPA features breathtaking custom label artwork by local artist Sergio Lopez Landscape Painter , capturing the iconic beauty of Taylor Mountain.

Please join us for the official release party on Wednesday, May 20th at the Santa Rosa taproom, 1305 Cleveland Avenue. Fogbelt will generously donate $1 from every pint sold during the event directly to the Parks Foundation to help enhance and protect our local parklands.

In addition to the beer release, you can meet the artist! Sergio Lopez will be on hand to showcase his original Taylor Mountain artwork, along with other paintings inspired by our stunning regional parks. His work will be for sale, and 30% of each purchase at the taproom will benefit the Parks Foundation. View his Regional Park themed artwork at the link below.

Come enjoy a fresh pour and help us give back to the parks that make Sonoma County so special. We look forward to seeing you there!

https://www.sergiolopezfineart.com/scpacollection

A small sample of the artistic creativity @ the 2026 Sonoma Valley High School's Art Show!
05/08/2026

A small sample of the artistic creativity @ the 2026 Sonoma Valley High School's Art Show!

Emerging Artist Exhibition is up and ready for viewing at Arts Guild of Sonoma! From 4/1 - 4/27 you can view paintings b...
04/14/2026

Emerging Artist Exhibition is up and ready for viewing at Arts Guild of Sonoma! From 4/1 - 4/27 you can view paintings by 179 students from Altimira Middle School - SVUSD and Sonoma Valley High School (Official). Thank you to art teachers Cheryl Coldiron and Renate Kuprian and to the Arts Guild for this wonderful annual exhibit. The exhibition was sponsored by Sonoma Plein Air so thank you to our donors for making this happen! The opening reception was well attended with many students and their families.

We just went to El Verano Elementary School to take a look at their amazing new mural! It was so special to see our fund...
04/08/2026

We just went to El Verano Elementary School to take a look at their amazing new mural! It was so special to see our funding at work. 309 students grades K-5 participated in the creation of the mural. The project was led by artists Beth Biermann of Sonoma and Janet Self of Mendocino. The mural was funded by a grant from SPAF. Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, and artist for making this possible!

A creative Valentine for us from the students @ Sassarini 's Maker Room! Thank You🫶
02/25/2026

A creative Valentine for us from the students @ Sassarini 's Maker Room! Thank You🫶

A wonderful Valentine's message from the Sassarini Makers Room students! Thanks for thinking of us🫶
02/25/2026

A wonderful Valentine's message from the Sassarini Makers Room students! Thanks for thinking of us🫶

Artists—There’s still time to submit samples and apply to our 2026 Festival, a week long celebration of outdoor painting...
02/17/2026

Artists—There’s still time to submit samples and apply to our 2026 Festival, a week long celebration of outdoor painting benefitting Sonoma’s K-12 arts education.

Apply through Feb 28. For info and application link, go to our homepage at sonomapleinair.com

Calling all artists who would love to paint on location throughout Sonoma, Marin and San Francisco during our one week S...
01/28/2026

Calling all artists who would love to paint on location throughout Sonoma, Marin and San Francisco during our one week Sonoma Plein Air Festival this September. Artists are juried in and apply at the link on our homepage at sonomapleinair.com. Our festival week is great fun. Whether you are a regular friend or first timer applying with us, we’d love to hear from you!
BONUS—it’s a festival with heart: your participation significantly supports the K-12 art education across Sonoma Valley for the next generation 🙌

CALL TO ARTISTS NOW OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2026Plein Air artists from across the country and beyond are invited to ap...
01/28/2026

CALL TO ARTISTS NOW OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2026

Plein Air artists from across the country and beyond are invited to apply for our upcoming Plein Air Festival in beautiful Sonoma, California. Join us for a week of inspiration, community, and the opportunity to showcase your work during our 24th Annual Festival! Visit our website for info on how to apply.

https://www.sonomapleinair.com/

09/13/2025
What these artists can do in 90 minutes - paint it, frame it, display it!It’s just magic. Thanks to all 22 artists who c...
09/11/2025

What these artists can do in 90 minutes - paint it, frame it, display it!
It’s just magic. Thanks to all 22 artists who came down to to Sonoma plaza last night, and to the art lovers who carried a freshly painted piece home! Your contribution - artist and buyers all - means more art education ahead for our local K-12 students 🤩🤩

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