Welcome to the 12th Annual Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival!
Festival Dates:
August 11th to 16th, 2025
The Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival is an annual Festival held in Dexter, Michigan during the third week of August. The Festival is sponsored by the Dexter Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee and is a community-oriented Festival that sees artists and patrons from all over the country!
12
Amazing Years
17
Awards
75+
Artists Each Year
100’s
Pieces of Art for Sale
Painting the Best of All Worlds
Situated in the picturesque City of Dexter, our quaint city offers the outdoor painter numerous charming subjects from which to draw inspiration, including parks, meadows, rivers, wetlands, wildlife, historical landmarks and architecture.
Experience Plein Air Up Close and Personal
Throughout the week, patrons can see their favorite painters create masterpieces right on the street. During the Friday Quick Draw, artists will fill the downtown and parks as they create an amazing piece of art in three hours!
Bring Home a Piece of Dexter
Starting on Friday at 2:00pm, the Tent Gallery will offer patrons and artists alike the opportunity to bring a piece of Dexter home that was created within the week.
Admission is free!
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”
– Vincent Van Gogh
Competition Info
Looking to participate? Check out what you need to know before registering.
Volunteerism
Join the Paint Dexter team and help put on one of the best plein air shows in Michigan!
Host An Artist
Interested in hosting an artist? Fill out our form to help bring our artists to town.
Property Painting Form
Have an unique, interesting, or natural property? Sign up to have it painted during the week.
Workshops for Children of All Ages!
Children and young adults are invited to participate in our Wednesday Youth Workshops, which are broken down into three age groups: elementary, middle school, and high school.
In this introductory workshop, children will receive instruction from an instructor and gain experience with the materials of painting and technique, including brushwork, canvas and color mixing. Cookies and refreshment provided!
Classes for young adults (high school) include an authentic hands-on plein air painting workshop on location in Mill Creek Park or the Tent Gallery in Monument Park. As a workshop geared toward the beginning painter, participants will learn about painting outdoors and the unique attributes associated with this style of painting. See the youth workshop page for more information!
Adult Workshops for All Skill Levels!
Adult classes are offered every year during the weekend prior to the Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival. Over the weekend, participants will spend two days learning from the Awarding Judge for that year’s Festival. All skills levels are welcomed and encouraged to learn from a masterful painter.
Like us on Facebook or via the registration page to be notified with details when they become available.
Space is limited so be sure to respond when registration opens. Registration availability is communicated via email. See the Adult Workshop Page to register for the class.
Fee Required
Schedule at a Glance
11-14
August
2025
All Day
Artists can be found painting in & around Dexter (Check-in on Monday & Tuesday from 8:00am to 10:00am)
15
August
2025
9:30am – 12:30pm
Quick Draw Competition takes place in Downtown Dexter (Check-in for Quick Draw begins at 8:00am)
15
August
2025
2:00pm – 9:00pm
Tent Gallery opens for Art Sale & Exhibition (beer/wine reception starting @ 2:00pm)
16
August
2025
10:00am – 8:00pm
Art Sale and Exhibition continues in Tent Gallery (beer/wine reception starting @ 12:00pm)
Become a Sponsor!
Interested in becoming a sponsor and donating to the Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival? Check out the Paint Dexter Sponsor Information to see how you can help make this year’s festival even better than the last!
For any questions regarding sponsorships, please contact paintdexter@gmail.com or call (734) 580-2229.