Sonoma Plein Air Festival

The annual Sonoma Plein Air Festival is held in September, bringing nationally acclaimed artists to Sonoma for a week to paint, show and sell their work to benefit youth art education in Sonoma.

The Festival is produced by the all-volunteer Sonoma Plein Air Foundation. The Art Show and Sale and a Gala Dinner event are the primary source of funding to provide art education for public school students in the Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Plein Air Foundation

The Sonoma Plein Air Foundation facilitates artists, art organizations, public schools and the community to create, appreciate and understand the importance of visual arts.

We seek to engage youth through art education, foster artistic excellence, nurture a vibrant local arts community and bring people together for experiences that inspire a creative exchange of ideas.

We welcome volunteer participation.

Since 2002, $1,622,490 has been granted
to youth art programs in Sonoma Valley.

Painting by Eric Jacobsen, 2015 Artists' Choice Award Winner

News About Sonoma Plein Air Festival 

Due to the unknowns about pandemic stay-at-home orders, social distancing, artists ability to travel and the financial health of our community, we were unable to plan and execute a successful live event for September of 2020.

We mounted an Online Festival #SonomaPleinAir2020 on September 7-12, 2020, featuring 37 artists who were accepted into the 2020 Festival.

We fully expect the Festival to return to Sonoma Plaza in 2021 and all artists who were accepted into the 2020 Festival will be automatically invited.

We are not giving up on art education! For the immediate term, we hope schools will be able to carry over funds into the next school year. We have limited funds available for new grants and we are brainstorming ideas and a structure to provide the necessary support to keep art alive in our schools and community organizations. If you are able, we welcome your support.

Artist Debra Huse painting at the Sonoma Plein Air Quick Draw event.