CAPITAL PLEIN AIR

We are a non-profit organisation that host East Coast Plein Festival from Monday, April 20th to Sunday, April 26th. This includes events such as pre-festival paint-outs, workshops, and the Quick Draw Competition on Sunday.

Although we are a not-for-profit, fees help cover operation costs and prepare for the next festival. Because of this we are truly grateful to any volunteers and sponsors that assists us in any way.

If you would like to involve yourself with the festival please find out more on our volunteer page.

Yes, all are welcome to enjoy the festival atmosphere from April 25th to 26th.
For family and spouses they may involve themselves in all the activities as long as they are not painting. (see Registration for more info)
Registration is only required for participating artists.

This is a grass roots community event and we depend on volunteers to help make it a success. There are opportunities to volunteer while still being part of the festival. If you’re not sure you want to join in the festival this year, volunteering is a great way to be part of it without being a registered artist. Find out more on our volunteer page.

Yes. Capital Plein Air welcomes artists of all backgrounds, identities, abilities and experience levels, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.

We are committed to providing a respectful, supportive environment and will do our best to accommodate individual needs where possible. If you have specific accessibility or inclusion requirements, please reach out so we can assist where we can.

We are committed to ensuring the Capital Plein Air Festival is accessible and welcoming to all artists and visitors.

If you have specific access needs or require assistance at any point during the event, please let us know.

Our team will provide as much support as possible to help you participate fully and comfortably.

A: We understand that rain is a common concern for outdoor events, but rest assured, we’ve designed the festival with flexibility in mind to ensure everyone can make the most of their experience.

April in Canberra is one of the driest months of the year, and it’s unlikely that the entire week will be rained out. Even if rain does occur, most painters find creative ways to keep going—whether it’s finding shelter under a tree, an awning, or even painting from your car. Storms in autumn are typically short-lived, and many rainy days still allow for productive painting sessions. By building in pre-festival painting days before the main weekend the extra time ensure that even if the weather does interrupt a day or two, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to paint.

For those participating in workshops, we’ll provide sheltered areas to keep you dry and comfortable or an indoor wet weather alternative for very bad weather.

If bad weather arises, we’re prepared to adjust the schedule and move some painting locations to more protected spots. Plus, for interstate travellers or anyone who wants a break, Canberra offers incredible attractions like the National Gallery and other cultural landmarks to explore during downtime.

In summary, while rain is always a possibility, we’ve taken every measure to ensure your experience remains enjoyable and rewarding. Painting in the great outdoors is all about embracing the elements—and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

A: Ambulance services in the ACT operate on a user-pays system. If you require ambulance treatment or transport while attending the festival, fees may apply unless you are covered by private health insurance with ambulance cover, a state ambulance subscription scheme, or an eligible concession card.

As coverage varies between states and insurers, we recommend checking your individual policy before travelling to Canberra.

In the event of an emergency, festival staff will contact ACT Emergency Services immediately and provide assistance as required.

Emergency Ambulance Service Fees (as at 2025/2026)

• Emergency treatment and transport: approximately $1,143 per call.
• Extra charge: about $15 per km for any distance travelled outside the ACT.
• Emergency treatment only (no transport to hospital): around $791.
  These are the standard fees charged by ACT Ambulance Services (and are reviewed annually).

1. Access to workshops hosted by featured festival artists (additional fees apply).
2. Permission to paint at specified locations during the pre-festival paint-outs (April 21-24).
3. Permission to paint during the main festival weekend(April 25-27).
4. Free artist parking at designated festival locations. (Free parking is limited at some locations and will be available on a first in first served basis)
5. Eligibility to display and sell up to two artworks on the wet wall (must have a festival stamp on the back)
6. Eligibility to enter two artworks for the “Capital Plein Air Art Awards” in the Open (professional) or Non-Professional Category
7. Participation in the 2-hour Quick Draw Painting Competition on Sunday, April 27.
8. Free access to open-air artist demonstrations and presentations during the festival weekend.

Entering your work into the awards is optional. We encourage artists of all skill levels to attend for the painting experience, but if you are still not sure which category suits you:

Professional/Open
The prize pool will only be available to “Open” category participants.
Anyone can enter the “Open” category that will have you competing against professional artists.

Non-Professional
For any artists over 18 years of age who prefer to be judged among hobbyists, beginners, and intermediate painters rather than professionals. This is a supportive and encouraging category for developing artists.

Your registration allows participation from Monday, April 20th through Sunday, April 26th, which includes the pre-festival paint-outs, the main festival weekend, and the Quick Draw Competition on Sunday. While you are not required to paint every day, we recommend registering for the Quick Draw on Sunday 26th April if you can only attend one day. To keep things simple, we have one all-inclusive fee that covers all aspects of the festival. Whether you are able to attend the pre-festival paint-outs, the weekend only, one day or the full event, the cost remains the same. As a non-profit organization, this fee helps cover essential expenses such as insurance, public land use permits, and various administrative and coordination costs for all parts of the festival. Unfortunately, we are unable to separate the fee based on individual participation in different segments of the event.

Paintings created during workshops are not eligible for awards judging.
Studio touch-ups are not permitted.
The festival emphasizes outdoor painting, and all artwork should be completed on-site.
Please take a photo of your completed painting with the subject in view to demonstrate it was finished without studio modifications.

While full exhibition details will follow closer to the event, please begin preparing now:

• All works entered for judging must be framed.
• Watercolour entries may be presented in a mat only (no glass required).
• Start planning the panel or canvas sizes you intend to paint during the festival.
• Bring frames that match those sizes.

We are reconnecting with last festival’s framing supplier, who offered pre-made frames ready for pick-up at the event. Once confirmed, we’ll share ordering details.

We will be flexible except size deemed too inappropriately

You are encouraged to sell any art you create or additional artwork at your own leisure (within reason).
Art submitted for the awards exhibition will be available for sale over the weekend.
Please note, setting up a formal stall and selling your artwork prior to judging are not permitted.
We will handle sales of your artwork as event the proceeds with a 25% commission.

Demonstrations are all part of the registration and are available to everyone

No, paintings created during workshops are not eligible for awards judging

No, artists are responsible for bringing their own materials.

Materials lists will be emailed directly to registered attendees at the email address provided during registration.

Yes, solvents will be available for purchase at the festival.
Please email us to let us ahead and we will make sure it is available.

While a plein air easel is ideal, you can use any type of easel or setup that works for you. We recommend testing your equipment in a local setting before using it at festival locations.

Each site location will have different environment to accommodate so be sure to read up on the artist guide in your email to bring the essentials before arriving. 

Submission entry opens from Friday 24th afternoon and closes on Saturday 25th 5pm at the Terrace Room, National Arboretum. 

 We will not be offering delivery for unsold artwork and aim to have all artworks picked up by Sunday

Yes, a car is necessary as festival painting locations are not easily accessible via public transportation.
If you need a ride, consider coordinating with other festival participants through our Facebook group.

The pre-festival paint-outs are held in southern and western areas of Canberra, while the festival weekend locations are in central Canberra. We recommend booking accommodation that is around the Kingston area which is close to the exhibition space, social events and central Canberra painting locations. Canberra is quite spread out, so choose a location that suits your preferences and budget. Parking is always something that needs to be considered when booking accommodation in Canberra.  Kingston has a lot of airbnb options worth looking at also.

1. Prepare your frame completely before handling the wet painting
2. Hold your painting carefully by the edges
3. Gently turn it over and lower it into the frame
4. The frame’s lip will keep the canvas from touching any surfaces
5. Secure with frame clips at the back
6. Once framed, wet paintings are much easier to transport

Remember: It’s normal if paintings aren’t 100% dry, especially after the Quick Draw competition. The frame will protect your work while it continues to dry. Most paintings that have some medium in them will have dry sections of thinner paint around the edge within an hour or two of painting on a warm day.

1. Use Fast Drying Mediums:

• Liquin and Gamblin’s Solvent-Free Gel are great mediums for oil painting
• Mix a little either directly with each colour pile as you go, or
• Add it to your white paint (since white takes longest to dry and gets mixed with other colours)

1. Natural Drying Methods:

• Keep earlier paintings drying nearby in the sun while you work on new pieces
• Place paintings in sunlight to speed up drying
• A warm car can work as a makeshift drying space
• Keep earlier paintings drying nearby in the sun while you work on new pieces

Non-refundable

Artists who cancel a workshop more than 30 days before the event incur a 20% processing fee.
Artists who cancel a workshop less than 30 days before the event will not receive a refund,
We provide the option to transfer their place to another registered artist. A 20% processing fee will apply for the transfer.