Mendocino Open Paint Out - A Plein Air Festival

The Mendocino Art Center hosts the fifth annual Mendocino Open Paint Out (MOPO), a plein air festival, welcoming more than 60 artists - working in watermedia, oil and pastel - from five different states, Canada and the British Virgin Islands.

All activities are free and open to the public:

• Plein air painting - watch artists paint outdoors all week. 

• Daily wet paint sales: new paintings each day in the MAC galleries. More than 300 paintings were created in 2016. Expanded gallery hours this year!

• Featured artists painting exhibition (opens September 1): MOPO co-founder John Hewitt, Jody Bryan, Maeve Croghan, Susan Elwart Hall, Chuck Kovacic and Jim McVicker. Reception: September 9, 5pm-8pm.

• Featured artist demonstrations: September 19-22, 2pm and 7pm (no demo on Friday, September 22 at 7pm). Donations requested. 

• Festive and social evening gatherings at the Mendocino Art Center: Food and drink available, September 19-21, 5pm to 7pm.

• People's Choice Party, Friday, September 22, 7pm to 9pm. See all paintings created during the week and vote for your favorite painting. 

• Quick Draw Competition and Sale: Saturday, September 23. Watch the competition, with a new twist this year, 11am to 1pm (location to be announced) and then vote for YOUR favorite piece at the Quick Draw Sale, 2pm to 5pm.

• Celebratory Reception and Awards Presentation: Saturday, September 23, 5pm to 7pm. Enjoy wine and appetizers and be there for the presentation of more than 20 awards.

• Live Jazz, mimosas and brunch bites: Sunday, September 24, 11am to 3pm. Last chance to buy your favorite painting!

Complete schedule at http://www.MendocinoArtCenter.org/pleinair

Gallery Hours:

Monday, September 18: 10am-5pm

Tuesday, September 19: 8am-7pm

Wednesday, September 20: 8am-7pm

Thursday, September 21: 8am-7pm

Friday, September 22: 8am-5pm & 7pm-9pm

Saturday, September 23: 8am-7pm

Sunday, September 24: 10am-4pm