2026 Plein Air: Paint It Maine Call for Art

Exhibit Description and Call for Art:

The Maine Art Gallery is hosting its annual plein air painting event, Plein Air: Paint It Maine, which will include the entire geographic scope of the state. Participating artists will work en plein air at their chosen locations around the state. Artists will have over two weeks to paint up to five paintings to be displayed on the first floor of the gallery. Plein air artists from around the state are invited to enter sample images of their work to be accepted to participate in this event.

Painting of work for exhibition may be conducted during the period from July 11 - July 25. The exhibit itself runs on the first floor of the gallery from July 30 - August 5, Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 4pm.

Artists may enter to be considered for the plein air event and exhibit beginning June 8, 2026. Deadline for entry to participate: July 3, 2026. Late entries will not be considered.

You will be notified of your acceptance to participate in Paint It Maine by email on or about July 8, 2026. Accepted artists will have their names posted on our website and at the gallery.

Roberta Goschke, "Bowman House."

Schedule for Accepted Artists:

Artists have their canvases stamped at the gallery: July 9 - 10, 11am - 4pm.
Plein air painting days: July 11 - July 25
Drop off selected work, executed Consignment Agreement and Artist Statement/Bio: July 26, 4pm - 6pm, July 27 9am - 12pm
Pick Up of Unsold Work: September 6, 4pm - 6pm, September 7, 9am - 12pm
Show Fee: $15 members, $25 non-members

Please direct all questions to: info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org Please use “Plein Air Question” in your subject line.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to seeing your work.

Rules for Entry to be Juried for Participation:

Submission of your entry fee constitutes your understanding of, and agreement to, the juried show guidelines and to the following conditions:

Original Art Only:
All work submitted during the qualification submission period must be your own original plein air work. You must submit THREE works. Plein air artists may submit images of work in oil, acrylic, watercolor or pastel.

Submitting Work for Participation Consideration:

1) Pay Entry Fee:
Entry Fee: $15 for gallery members; $25 for non-members. Please select the member status and corresponding price that applies at checkout.

f you need to become a member or renew, use our Join or Donate page, then return here. If you are unsure of your status, contact us.

If paying by check: make payable to “Maine Art Gallery” and mail to 15 Warren St, Wiscasset, ME, 04578.

2) Prepare the Images of the THREE Works You Are Submitting:

Image dimension: 900 pixels on longest side, but not to exceed 1,800 in either dimension. Each file should be between 1 to 3 MB.
Format: JPEG
File names: Your last name, underscore, and title of the piece. Example: “Coates_Funny Face.jpg”.

3) Compose Email:
Subject line should be your last name and show title. Example: “Coates: Paint It Maine”
Body of email should include:

Images of THREE required works (see image specs above)
Details for each work:

Title
Medium
Dimensions in inches (H x W)

4) Contact Information & Membership Status:

Name
Address, City, State, Zip
Email
Phone
Membership status: YES / NO

5) Send Email:
Send submission to maineartgalleryimages@gmail.com between June 8 - July 3.

Questions? Please email info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org. Write “Plein Air: Paint It Maine” in the subject line. (Do not submit artwork to this address.)

For Artists Who are Accepted:

You may paint the Maine scenes or locations of their choosing. When in the field, display the Maine Art Gallery identification poster provided to you.

1) All Exhibited Work Must Be Completed During Event:
Work delivered for the hanging must be created during the Paint It Maine days from July 11 - July 25, 2026.

2) Size Limits:
Surface of two-dimensional work may not exceed 40" in either length or width, including frame.

3) Diptychs and Triptychs:
Works created in two or three sections will be considered one work. Diptychs and triptychs may not exceed 40 inches.

4) All Canvases Must Be Stamped:
Prior to painting plein air, all artists must have their canvases stamped at the gallery on July 9 - 10, 11am - 4pm, or such subsequent time as arranged with a gallery representative during regular gallery hours. All exhibited works must be on officially stamped canvases or board, and show-ready upon delivery to the gallery.

5) Plein Air Event Works Delivered for Hanging:
Each artist may submit two (or possibly more) works of art created during the painting days depending on size as considered acceptable by the gallery Exhibition Committee representative whose judgment is final. Work sold may be replaced by other work done during the plein air event with approval of the gallery representative. The Maine Art Gallery will refine the guidance on the number of canvases delivered for hanging at the time you are notified of your acceptance to participate and before canvases are stamped.

6) Hanging-ready:
Make sure your plein air works are properly wired for hanging. Gallery wrapped canvases are acceptable. Sawtooth frame hangers are not acceptable.

7) Have the Details of Your Works Ready by Drop Off:

Title
Medium
Dimensions in inches (H x W)
Price. **Note that Maine Art Gallery receives a 35% commission of your retail price**

8) Complete Consignment Agreement:
Hardcopy of agreement is required at time of drop-off.

Consignment Agreement

9) Artist Statement and Bio:
Hard copies of each are required at time of drop-off. Letter-size please. No more than one page each.

10) Drop Off Works July 26 and 27:
At the gallery (15 Warren St, Wiscasset, ME) July 26, 4pm - 6pm; July 27 9am - 12pm.

If works sell you will be notified as soon as possible. Note the Maine Art Gallery receives a 35% commission of the retail sales price.

11) Pick Up of Unsold Works:
Sunday, September 6, 4pm - 6pm; Monday, September 7, 9am - 12pm.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to seeing your work!

Notice to Artists:

You grant the Maine Art Gallery permission to use images of your artwork and/or your name in promotional materials, including broadcast, online media and other marketing materials.

Disclaimer: The Maine Art Gallery is not responsible for technical or computer failures, including problems accessing the internet, any other computer error, or malfunction, or for late, lost illegible or misdirected entries. Make sure you send your entry to the correct email account according to the directions above. You will receive a reply confirming your entry.

Meet the Juror

Dean McCrillis (born 1990) is a Maine based artist, curator, and outdoorsman. Expanding on the principles learned as an amateur naturalist, his work explores elements of ecology and the relationship between wilderness and modernity. His paintings serve as a bridge between natural and personal history.

He received his BFA in painting at the University of Southern Maine and has attended residencies at Signal Fire Arts in California and Hewnoaks in Maine. In 2025, McCrillis had a solo show as the artist in residence at Cove Street Arts in Portland, Maine. His work has also been featured at the L.C. Bates Museum.

“I grew up in an area where connection to the outdoors was a part of engaging within your community, it was fundamental to a lifestyle shared by many. I was taught how to hunt and fish by family and friends. I learned how to read and understand the way wild places worked. To look for subtleties in seemingly complicated environments. Painting keeps me engaged in that process. It is a thread connecting me home. The pieces are a confluence of ideas, memories, and shared stories.”

Additional materials for McCrillis: