“Evanston Plein Air Festival 2025 ” presented by Evanston Made Prospectus 

General Show Description: Celebrate ‘en plein air’ painting with this art-loving community at the Evanston Plein Air Festival on Lake Michigan in July. Building on the success of the past 3 years, Evanston Made will sponsor its fourth Plein Air Festival, Finale and Art Market. With its Lakeshore, Northwestern University, heritage urban landscapes and gardens, Evanston provides a rich and rewarding destination for participating artists. This juried event will follow the general conventions familiar to those participating in “Plein air “competitions. 

Paint Out Events and Prizes: This year we will offer Wednesday, July 16 – Saturday, July 19, Paint Out competitions, open to all registered artist participants. 

• 1 Paint Out Winner will be named and a prize awarded each day
• 1 Honorable Mention Winner will be named and a prize awarded each day

Finale Event and Prizes:  This Finale is hosted at Rotary International Headquarters in Downtown Evanston and includes an Exhibition of submitted pieces for judging (1 per artist- painted during the festival) and includes our Open Air Art Market for participating Plein Air Painters to show and sell their work during the Finale Event.

Final Prizes:

• Best in Show for the work which best demonstrates a mastery of the medium “en plein air” along with Second and Third Place and three Honorable mentions. 
• “People’s choice: Fest-Favorite” award based on popular vote during the final exhibition
• “Evanston Made” Plein Air Artist- prize sponsored by Alley Gallery

• New Plein Air Artist prize- for 1st time Plein Air artists

Best in Show Judge : Cory Wright

Biography

Cory Wright grew up in East Tennessee and earned her BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1998, following nine months of study abroad on the school’s European Honors Program in Rome, Italy.  Since then, in addition to being an art instructor & studio painter, she has had an accomplished career as a muralist, specializing in the tromp l’oeil technique, for over 25 years. In 2011 Wright discovered her passion for painting en plein air with oils during a 10 day workshop in Italy. She soon began participating and winning awards at various Paint Out events throughout the state of Florida, where she has resided since 2004. Cory paints full-time and enjoys teaching workshops. Her paintings are now held in numerous national & international private collections. These days she can most often be found outdoors at her easel capturing the ever-changing effects of light & shadows, and creating larger pieces from her plein air work in her studio.

Please note: By applying and participating in this event, you agree to allow images of you and your work to be used online and in promotional materials. Event Sponsors, Evanston Made and the City of Evanston are not responsible for loss or damage to artwork. Sponsors reserve the right to reject any artwork that does not meet our expectations or conform to the norms of the community.

Entry Information

• Registration opens February 1st, REGISTER HERE
• All prospective participants must apply online. All entrants are asked to submit two examples of their work for consideration as a participant. Urban and natural scenes are suggested, please do not include Abstracts or Still life works. 

Deadline for Entries is June 10, 2025

• Artists may choose Aspiring (New to Plein Air) or Experienced (Contest and Professional level) categories. Experienced artists are invited to enter the “Best of Show” competition and paint outs. Aspiring artists may choose to enter the “People’s Choice – Festival Favorite” and paint outs. Registration fees are the same for both categories. Reach out to info@evanstonmadeor.g with questions.

Painting/Drawing Rules 

Rules & Considerations : 

• Paintings must be original works executed with pigments: acrylic, gouache, oil, pastel, tempera, watercolor. No digital art or working from photographs. 
• Paintings/drawings are to be executed “en plein air,” from direct observation of any subject matter within the City of Evanston. 
• Ninety percent of all paintings should be completed on-site. 
• Artwork (unframed) should not exceed 20” in any direction or 400 Sq Inches. 
• Beginning July 12th through July 16th, artists must check-in and authenticate up to FIVE blank work surface(s) per visit at Blick Art Materials located 1755 Maple Ave., in Downtown Evanston,  during business hours: Mon – Sat: 10a – 7p, Sun. 11a-6p.
• Juried entry limited to 75 competing artists 
• Entry Fee: $ 45 (for fee assistance email: info@evanstonmade.org) plus a $20 table fee to sell art at the Open Air Market during the Festival Finale on July 20. Displays, booths are not allowed at Festival Finale. Table spaces allotted are based on pre-registration and are limited. The display area is under a covered portico outside the building. Please note the requirements and table space details on the registration form.
• Only paintings with visible registration (on the back of the work surface) will be accepted for consideration in awards and for display. 
• Painting may be conducted independently beginning on July 12th and ending on Sunday, July 20th at 12p CST. 

• Artists can “sell directly off the easel” anytime during the Plein Air Festival, keeping 100% of the sale price

• Entries in the “Paint Outs”,  “Best of Show” and “Festival Favorite” competitions must be offered for sale and sold through ShopEvanstonMade.org, the online art shop of Evanston Made (30% Gallery Fee required) 

• Art Submitted for the Finale Competition must be framed and presentation ready. Art will be displayed on floor and table easels within the lobby/atrium of Rotary International Headquarters. Art not adhering to these rules and restrictions will not be considered for admission and hanging in the Festival Finale Exhibition for judging.
• Art Submitted for the Finale Competition must be framed and presentation ready. Art will be displayed on floor and table easels within the lobby/atrium of Rotary International Headquarters. Art not adhering to these rules and restrictions will not be considered for admission and hanging in the Festival Finale Exhibition for judging.

What is Plein Air? en Plein Air is “the practice of painting landscape pictures out-of-doors”. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their works. 

About Evanston: founded in 1857, Evanston is an historic college town situated on the North Shore along Lake Michigan, lending itself to be the perfect place for plein air painters interested in capturing urban and natural landscape. 12 miles north of Downtown Chicago, Evanston is home to Northwestern University and prominently features lakefront views, parks, iconic downtown blendings and turn of the century and modern architecture. Evanston Locations of note will be provided to registered artists by June 15. 

About Evanston Made: (Membership is not required to participate) Evanston Made is a membership-based 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization in Evanston, IL. with a mission to connect artists and artisans to art enthusiasts and to provide community and professional development to our members to further their careers. Membership is open to artists, artisans, makers who make everything from art to clothes to music. We also welcome members who are art lovers and patrons who want to help us conduct our mission.  Evanston Made