October 2 - 5, 2025 | Winona, MN
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum presents the third annual Upper Mississippi Plein Air Experience: Boats, Bridges, and Backwaters, a weekend of workshops, exhibitions, presentations, and public programs in Winona, MN. Now in its third year, the Upper Mississippi Plein Air Experience brings together two creative communities committed to making artwork out of doors: today’s urban sketchers and traditional plein air painters. Staged from MMAM, known for its stunning location on the Mississippi River in Southeast Minnesota’s Driftless Region and a world-class art collection, the Upper Mississippi Plein Air Experience is quickly becoming the fall destination for painters and sketchers alike.
Plein Air Experience Events
What is Plein Air?
Plein air, French for "open air," is the practice of painting or drawing outdoors to capture the natural light, atmosphere, and energy of a specific place and moment. Rather than working from photographs in a studio, plein air artists set up their easels directly in nature to experience and record the ever-changing qualities of light and weather.
Two Creative Communities, One Shared Passion
The Upper Mississippi Plein Air Experience brings together two vibrant artistic communities united by their love of on-location art-making:
Traditional Plein Air Artists work primarily in oil, watercolor, pastel, and gouache, creating finished paintings outdoors while embracing the challenge of changing light and weather conditions.
Urban Sketchers focus on drawing and sketching the world around them using ink, watercolor, and mixed media in sketchbooks. This global community documents everyday life, architecture, and landscapes through quick, observational sketches.
Both communities share a commitment to working on location and capturing the essence of place through direct experience. At our Upper Mississippi Plein Air Experience, you'll discover how both approaches offer unique ways to connect with the natural world and document the beauty of Minnesota's river landscape and Winona’s vibrant downtown.
How Can I Get Involved?
The Upper Mississippi Plein Air Experience offers multiple ways to participate, whether you're a seasoned artist, curious beginner, or art enthusiast. Here's how you can join us for this celebration of outdoor art-making:
For Artists & Students
Register for a 2-Day Workshop: Choose from two intensive weekend workshops led by master artists:
Masting the Basics: Ink and Watercolor Sketching with Kar-Keat Chong (beginner to advanced) - $300 [$275 for MMAM members]
Plein Air Oil Painting with Joshua Cunningham (intermediate to advanced) - $300 [$275 for MMAM members]
Both workshops run Friday & Saturday, October 3-4, and include outdoor painting sessions around Winona's scenic locations.
Join Free Public Demonstrations: No registration required! Bring your own art supplies and join demonstrations throughout the weekend. Watch professional artists work on-location and try your hand at outdoor painting alongside them. Perfect for drop-in participation and learning new techniques. Artists working in traditional plein air techniques and urban sketchers alike will gather at various scenic locations throughout the city for collaborative art-making sessions.
For Art Enthusiasts & The Public
Attend the Launch Event: (Free with registration) Thursday, October 2, 6:30-8:00 PM (Oberton Education Room) . Hear teaching artists Joshua Cunningham and Kar-Keat Chong share stories, video and artwork from their day painting in Winona's backwaters with local river guides.
Visit the Exhibition: (Included with museum admission) September 2 - November 28: View the Upper Mississippi River Plein Air: Boats, Bridges and Backwaters exhibition featuring work by all participating artists. In the Oberton Education Room.
Join the Sunday Morning Share-In: (Free and open to the public) Sunday, October 5, 9:00-10:00 AM (Water Bar Cafe + Provision in the MMAM Atrium). Celebrate the weekend's creativity! Watch artists present their weekend creations over coffee and pastries while hearing stories from the weekend.
Support the Artists
Purchase Original Artwork: Select works from the exhibition are available for purchase, giving you the chance to own a piece of this unique Mississippi River experience.
Attend the Gala: Now in its fourth year, For the Love of Water has grown into something really special. This is one of MMAM’s signature events for art lovers across southeastern Minnesota. Each fall, we come together not just for an evening of celebration, but to rally behind the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and the work we believe in: creating powerful, meaningful art experiences that are inspired by water.
This year, we’re bringing it back home to the banks of the Mississippi, right on our beautiful six-acre riverside campus. It’s an unforgettable night in a one-of-a-kind setting, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
