SONOMA PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL 2026

is September 14-19th

VOLUNTEER!
Be Part of the FUN & ACTION

We are currently seeking volunteers for our main event, Saturday's Art Show and Sale in Sonoma Plaza, September 19. ​

Have fun getting in on the act while supporting art education for the kids of Sonoma Valley! 
OUR ANNUAL

Sonoma Plein Air Festival

A favorite of artists and visitors alike, the annual Sonoma Plein Air Festival will be held this year September 14-19th, in Sonoma, CA. 

Every September, we showcase the fresh work of nationally-acclaimed artists painting the outdoor views of this beautiful region over the week (painting "en plein air"). Their works are then on display available for purchase at the Friday Gala and Saturday Art Show of festival week.

A FESTIVAL WITH A MISSION:

Proceeds are not-for-profit, but directly fund art education grants and scholarships for Sonoma Valley's K-12 students. We've been supporting Sonoma Valley's art education for almost 25 years! Scroll down to learn about the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation.

We sincerely thank all of our Artists, Attendees, Art Buyers, Donors, Patrons and Volunteers for making our 2025 Festival a great success.

2026 Gala Ticket Sales are Now Closed.
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Thank you to everyone who is joining us!

ABOUT SONOMA PLEIN AIR FOUNDATION:

Sonoma Plein Air Foundation is a non-profit organization in Sonoma Valley, CA. We are the primary funder of K-12 visual arts education for our local public schools and non-profits.

Since our founding in 2002, we've granted over $2.6 Million to sustain and grow visual arts programs, raising essential funding annually for teacher supplies, equipment, activities and scholarships for Sonoma Valley's children and youth.

Why we care:
The arts help our students with expression, self-discovery, academics and stress relief. Exploration and experience with art is proven to build thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, and engagement in learning. The arts develop student curiosity, self esteem, discovery and wonder. They enhance lives and the community itself, binding us together.

Funding for our grants comes directly from donations and proceeds from our Sonoma Plein Air Festival, held each September and regarded as one of the best Plein Air artist events in the nation. Our board is all-volunteer, and scores of community volunteers help us produce the Festival each year.

The numbers above reflect the most current school-year grant requests, as granted.
What all have we funded?

Our grants support local K-12 art education by funding supplies, equipment and experiences for: classes in art, graphic design, video arts, film and photography, ceramic kilns, a 3D printer, murals and mosaics, jewelry smithing, maker labs, after school and summer art programs, museum visits, student art shows and much more.

We are able to do this each year thanks to the generosity of each professional artist taking part in our Sonoma Plein Air Festival, our patrons, donors, volunteers and art buyers!

Learn more about Sonoma Plein Air and consider getting involved!

See this year's video:

The Art Detectives - 2025

Video Production by the generous hands of
Russell Johnson and Pat Meier-Johnson, Thank You!