RTPI 2026 Plein Air Festival

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, is a living embodiment of the Peterson Field Guide. It is a gateway to the natural area wonders that inspired Roger Tory Peterson to his career as one of the world’s premier artist-naturalists and international ambassador for the protection of nature. With a 27-acre nature preserve of wildflower gardens, pollinator meadows, and mature stands of hemlock trees, the Peterson Preserve is a sanctuary for visitors. To celebrate this and other natural areas in Western New York, RTPI is thrilled to announce our fifth annual Plein Air Festival.
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute Plein Air Festival is an open-enrollment plein air event in Western New York. Artists will have the opportunity to discover the beautiful natural scenery that inspired the young Roger Tory Peterson. Artists may create works at various locations within the area, with suggested locations provided two weeks before the festival.
Following a week of creating artworks en plein air, artists are invited to display their completed artworks at the “Wet Paint” show and sale on Saturday, September 19. All artworks submitted to the show will be entered into a judged plein air art competition, with awards announced during the closing reception on Saturday, September 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. All works submitted to the show will also be considered for an exhibition of plein air artworks at RTPI, to be held in the Fall of 2026.
Prize money will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place: $700, $500, and $300, respectively.
Painters may paint anywhere in Western New York; however, RTPI will provide a list of suggested locations to choose from.
Artist credit: Kristen Muench, Chautauqua Gorge painting on location 2025