The Town of Pike Road will welcome painters from across the River Region and beyond for the 15th Annual Pike Road Plein Air Paint Out, set for October 7–11, 2026. Centered on this year’s theme, “The American Landscape,” artists will fan out across the community to paint outdoors and capture Pike Road’s rural charm and character in real time.
The Paint Out features faculty-led workshops with professional artists Barbara Davis, John Guernsey, Craig Reynolds, and Perry Austin, giving participants hands-on instruction from respected plein air painters. Plein air—French for “outdoors”—is a fast-paced approach to painting that focuses on landscapes and scenes’ ever-changing light and colors, challenging artists to respond quickly to shifting conditions.
A slate of public-friendly activities will punctuate the five-day event:
- October 8: Blended Brushes, a collaborative live-painting experience showcasing multiple artists at work.
- October 9: Golden Hour Painting followed by an Art Reveal, highlighting works created during the day’s most luminous light.
- October 10: Wet Paint Show, Sale & Reception, where freshly finished pieces will be displayed and available for purchase.
Throughout the week, participating artists—including members of the Alabama Plein Air Artists—will be visible around town, interpreting fields, streetscapes, and community landmarks. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by easels, say hello, and share Pike Road’s signature “Welcome Home” hospitality as artists work.
Pike Road Arts Council Coordinator Patty Payne invites the entire community to take part—whether by registering to paint, attending workshops and demonstrations, or simply enjoying the creative energy unfolding across the town. Organizers anticipate a blend of returning painters who have supported the event since its inception and new artists joining the Paint Out for the first time.
Artist registration and workshop inquiries can be directed to Patty Payne at patty@pikeroad.us.
As the Paint Out enters its 15th year, the Town of Pike Road continues to celebrate the power of the arts to connect people and place—one brushstroke, and one American landscape, at a time.
For more information about the Pike Road Plein Air Painting, visit https://pikeroad.us/events/pike-road-15th-annual-plein-air-paint-out/.
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