Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival

35% of each sale donated goes towards protecting and preserving the Bay
All events include free parking/admission (adult art class charges a materials fee)
Art class registration on this page; to register for the quick draw, click on the link below

Quick Draw, Painting Competition & Sale

Saturday July 11, 8 am - 11 am

Watch artists paint or compete yourself! Engage in a friendly competition or watch as artists paint alongside many of the trails surrounding the Peter and Mary Muth Center. Take time to explore the natural beauty that attracts so many to the Bay. Artists enter the competition at socalpapa.com.

Painting Competition Awards & Artwork Viewing & Sale 12:30 pm - 3 pm: Works from the Painting Competition will be on display and for sale at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center through July 17.

Best of OC Parks and Back Bay Gallery Show & Sale

Saturday July 11 - Friday July 17, 10 am - 4 pm (closed Monday, July 14)

View art pieces that were curated and preselected for this special exhibit. Highlighting the beauty of OC Parks landscapes including iconic areas such as Irvine Regional Park, Peter's Canyon, Salt Creek Beach, and the Bay.

Art Classes

Tuesday July 14 - Friday July 17, 10 am - 4 pm

Adults: All materials are supplied and participants will take home a completed painting at the end of class. $10 materials fee.

Wednesday, July 15, 10am-12pm - pastels with Mike Major
Thursday, July 16, 10am-12pm - pastels with BJ Morrison-McKay

Kids': For students ages 7-12. All materials are supplied and participants will take home a completed painting at the end of class. Donations accepted.

Tuesday, July 14, 10am-12pm - watercolor with Amy Jackson
Friday, July 17 10am-12pm - watercolor with Sandra Morrison

Weekend Show & Sale

Saturday, July 18 - Sunday, July 19, 10 am - 4 pm

View several hundred additional original paintings. SOCALPAPA artists will display award-winning artwork, live music, and food and beverage will be available for purchase.

Gold Sponsors:

Blick Art Supplies

Framing Artistry

Orange Coast Restoration

Randy Higbee Gallery

Silver Sponsors:

Art Supply Warehouse

Bad to the Bone BBQ

Original Pizza, Sports Bar & Grill

Terry Ludwig Pastels

Tim Smith Group, Coldwell Banker Newport Beach

This festival of fine art is a collaborative event organized by the following partners:

Contact the host of 2026 Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival