Woodbury Plein Air

What is Plein Air and Why Woodbury?

Plein air means painting outdoors, directly from the landscape and environment around you. Woodbury Plein Air brings that tradition to the beautiful natural setting of Earl Reservoir, inviting artists to capture Woodbury through their own eyes while the community gathers to experience art being created in real time.

But Woodbury Plein Air is about more than painting. Throughout the day, musicians and performing artists bring live music and creative energy to the Rez, creating a vibrant outdoor celebration of art, music, nature, and community—almost like a homegrown arts festival right here in Woodbury.

For the Woodbury Arts Council, Plein Air is about creating a place where established and emerging artists, young people, musicians, families, and neighbors can come together, discover one another's work, and experience creativity as part of the life of our community.

It's art made here, music performed here, and community built here—in Woodbury.

See below for current and past programs.

Woodbury Plein Air - Fall Edition

October 25, 2026 | 10 AM–2 PM
Earl Reservoir “The Rez” | Woodbury, NY (1 Coach Wilson Trail
Highland Mills, NY 10930)

Join the Woodbury Arts Council for a colorful fall day of painting, creativity, and community at the Rez.

Our Fall Mini Plein Air is a smaller, more relaxed edition of Woodbury Plein Air, bringing artists and the community together to capture the beautiful autumn landscape of Earl Reservoir.

And since it’s October—costumes are absolutely welcome! Come paint, explore, and enjoy a creative fall day at the Rez in costume if the spirit moves you.

Register Here

Paint. Create. Vote.

Participating artists will have three hours to create an original work of art on-site inspired by the landscape and fall colors of the Rez.

At the end of the painting period, completed works will be displayed and the public gets to decide who takes home the Woodbury Plein Air Audience Choice Award!

No jury this time — you pick the winner.

Artists of all experience levels are welcome to participate. Registration Required

Pumpkin Painting | 12–2 PM

Grab a pumpkin, grab a brush, and get creative!

From 12–2 PM, join artists from the Woodbury Arts Council for a fun, relaxed pumpkin painting experience for all ages. Whether you’re a kid, a parent, an artist, or simply feeling creative, everyone is welcome to paint a pumpkin and make it their own.

We’ll provide the pumpkins, paint, and supplies—you bring your imagination!

Come paint together as a family, create alongside friends, or make your own fall masterpiece to take home.

All ages and experience levels are welcome. Space and pumpkins are limited, so registration is encouraged.

What to Expect

Three-hour plein air painting competition
Woodbury Plein Air Audience Choice Award
Live painting throughout the Rez
Pumpkin painting from 12–2 PM
Live music
Fall colors and beautiful views throughout Earl Reservoir
An opportunity to meet and support local artists
A relaxed afternoon of art and community

Schedule

10:00 AM — Plein Air artists check-in, breakfast & plein air painting begins
12:00–2:00 PM — Pumpkin Painting

12:30 PM- Live Performance by Minor Forth - Orange County's Jazziest Pop/Soul Teen Band

1:30 PM — Plein air painting concludes & artwork submitted
2:00 PM — Audience Choice Award announced

Artist Participation

Artists participating in the Mini Plein Air should bring their own materials and equipment. If you do not have supplies, don't worry we can provide you all the materials for the day at registration.

All work must be created on-site during the three-hour painting period. Painting, drawing, and mixed media are welcome.

Finished work will be displayed for the public to view and vote on.

Location

Earl Reservoir “The Rez”
1 Coach Wilson Trail
Highland Mills, NY 10930

Earl Reservoir is wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking available.

Registration

Advance registration is required for artists participating in the Fall Mini Plein Air Competition and for the Pumpkin Painting activity.

Space for pumpkin painting is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Free for Woodbury residents to participate.

Come paint. Come create. Come vote.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Presented by the Woodbury Arts Council in partnership with the Town of Woodbury and producing partner Media Sutra Inc.

Questions?

For more information, contact:
admin [at] woodburyartscouncil.org

Woodbury Plein Air returns on June 20, 2026 at Earl Reservoir!

Attendance & Registration

Aritst Registration is now CLOSED

Woodbury Plein Air is open to the public and welcomes artists, families, and community members of all ages.

Admission is free for Woodbury residents. Admission if free for all Monroe-Woodbury students with ID.
Non-residents are welcome to attend with a sliding scale contribution of $7–$10, helping to support the growth of this community arts program. Admission is free for all children under 12.

Artists who wish to participate in the plein air competition must complete registration in advance. Registration is required to be eligible for jury awards and official recognition.

Registration is also required for any workshops or structured activities offered throughout the day, as space may be limited. Sign up will be available on the day of event at registration desk.

We look forward to welcoming you—whether you’re joining as an artist or coming to experience the day.

About the Event

Woodbury Plein Air 2026 brings together professional, emerging, and youth artists for a full day of outdoor painting competition set in the scenic Earl Reservoir, artists will create original work on-site while engaging with the public in a vibrant, open-air environment.

This year’s event features new artist categories, expanded opportunities for youth participation, and live musical and movement performances woven throughout the park to inspire both artists and audiences. Jury prizes of $250 will be awarded in both catagories (25+ and 25-) for best painting of the day.

Music and movements performances will be announced closer to event date.

Presented by the Woodbury Arts Council in partnership with the Town of Woodbury, producing partner Media Sutra Inc.

Location: Earl Reservoir “the Rez” Woodbury, NY.

Address: 1 Coach Wilson Trail, Highland Mills, NY 10930

Artist Categories

25 and Under (High School & College Students)
26 and Over (Professional & Emerging Artists)

Registration Fees

26+ Artists: $40
College Artists: $20
High School Students: Free

(Fees support event coordination, materials, and programming.)

What to Expect

Full-day plein air painting experience
Assigned painting areas within Earl Reservoir
Breakfast and Lunch provided for competitors
Live music and movement performances throughout the day
Opportunities to engage with the public
Public exhibition and awards presentation
Optional online sales opportunity following the event

Event Location and Overview

Location: Earl Reservoir “the Rez” Woodbury, NY.

Address: 1 Coach Wilson Trail, Highland Mills, NY 10930

Schedule Overview:

Morning: Artist check-in & setup
Midday: Open painting + live performances
Afternoon: Final painting session
Closing: Public exhibition & awards

(Detailed schedule will be shared with registered artists.)

Artist Requirements

Artists must bring their own materials and equipment
Work must be created on-site during the event
Artists should be prepared to engage with the public
All media are welcome (painting, drawing, mixed media)

Awards & Recognition

Artists will be recognized in each category (25 & Under and 26+).
Additional details on recognition and exhibition will be shared closer to the event.

Accessibility

Earl Reservoir is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking available.
Assistance for mobility access within the park can be provided upon request.

How to Apply

Please complete this registration form, registration officially opens April 27, 2026. You will be asked to provide:

Name and contact information
Artist category
Brief artist statement
Sample images of your work (optional but encouraged)
Website or portfolio (optional)

Guided Plein Air Workshop

Special Guided Painting Workshop (non-competitive)
From 1:00–3:00 PM, members of the Woodbury Arts Council will offer a guided plein air painting workshop—perfect for beginners, families, or anyone curious to try outdoor painting in a fun, supportive setting. Registration for Guided Plein Air Workshop is required and separate from admission. Special discounted registration available for adult–child painting pairs! Register Here

Park Admission

Audience admission into park will be free for all Woodbury residents. A small sliding scale admission ($5-$10) will be charged for all out of town residents for this one day only.

Questions?

For more information, contact:
admin [at] woodburyartscouncil.org

Woodbury Plein Air 2025 – A Grand Experiment in Art and Community Making

The Town of Woodbury and the Woodbury Arts Council are proud to announce Woodbury Plein Air 2025, a unique celebration of art, nature, and community, taking place Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the stunning Earl Reservoir. A plein air event (from the French term en plein air, meaning "in the open air") is a gathering or organized activity where artists create artwork—usually paintings—outdoors, directly in the landscape or environment they are depicting. These events celebrate the practice of working from life, rather than from photographs or studio setups, and they emphasize spontaneity, natural light, and direct engagement with the surroundings.

This special event invites artists of all levels—from seasoned plein air painters to curious newcomers—to come together in one of Orange County’s most beautiful natural locations. With open skies, wooded trails, a lakefront beach, and panoramic views from the hilltop, the Earl Reservoir offers an inspiring backdrop for creativity and connection.

Usually only open to Woodbury residents, for one day only all are welcome, the event is more than just a painting day—it’s a community celebration. Attendees will enjoy a vibrant mix of live music, local flavor, and activities for all ages throughout the day.

Earl Reservoir will be open and accessible all day for FREE, to participate in Plein Air Competition and Guided Plein Air Activity please register below, registration will incur a fee to cover expenses for activity. Weather your competing or would like to experience beauty of Earl Reservoir, park goers will get to tour and view the painting competition as it happens, our competition will conclude at 4:30 pm when the Jury Prize will be announced.

Plein Air Competition!
Registered artists will have the opportunity to compete for a $300 Jury Prize awarded to the top plein air painting of the day. Judging will take place during a community viewing at the end of the event.

Special Guided Painting Activity
From 1:00–2:30 PM, join our guided plein air painting activity—perfect for beginners, families, or anyone curious to try outdoor painting in a fun, supportive setting. Special discounted registration available for adult–child painting pairs!

Event Registration is CLOSED. Please see our article for a recap on the inaugral Woodbury Plein Air.

Special thanks to the Orange County NY Arts Council for partnering with us and to our producing partner Media Sutra Inc.