October 3-11, 2026

Bringing artists and community together to celebrate the beauty of Cape Ann through outdoor painting.

Cape Ann Plein Air
2026 Artists

October 3-11, 2026

Cape Ann Plein Air week brings 36 juried artists to the coastal landscapes of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, where they paint through the week & compete for awards & prizes.

Join us for live demonstrations, a Quickdraw competition with over 100 artists, opening reception, our Gala & Art Sale, & judges' talks.

Jeff Weaver, Event Judge

We are thrilled to announce the iconic Cape Ann artist Jeff Weaver as Cape Ann Plein Air's 2026 Event Judge.

Jeff is is a renowned American Realist painter, primarily known for his  depictions of the working waterfronts, fishermen, and evolving cityscape of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

An award-winning artist, Weaver combines powerful draftsmanship with expressive brushwork, often working en plein air (outdoors)  bridging past and present Cape Ann. 

jeffweaverfineart.com

Mike Hernandez, Entry Juror

Introducing Cape Ann Plein Air 2026's entry juror, Mike Hernandez, a nationally recognized plein air painter known for his masterful landscapes and seascapes.

Mike's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications, and his keen eye for composition and light makes him the perfect choice to select our 2026 artists.

mikehernandezart.com

2026 Award Winners & their Sponsors

FIRST PLACE  $10,000
Cape Ann Plein Air
Rush Hour | Tim Kelly

SECOND PLACE $4,000
Cape Ann Plein Air
Dory, Dory Hallelujah | Marc Anderson

THIRD PLACE $2,000
David Curtis Memorial Award
Sponsored by Judy Curtis and Karen Berger
Historic Gloucester at Night | Richie Vios

Artist Choice $1,000
Jill & Stephen Bell 
Charlie Hunter

Best Abstract $1,000
Pat & Glenn Alto
When Time Goes By | Vlad Duchev

Quintessential Rockport $1,000
Jody & Ron Seger 
Rockport Motif | Mitch Baird

Best Impressionist Style $1,000
Charlie Shurcliff Memorial Award 
The Coons Family
Sunny Day | Eric Jacobsen

Best Americana $500
Beauport Hospitality
Dockside Dinghy | Christine Lashley

Best Marine Activity $750
Leslie Lobell & Eric Timsak
The Day’s Bounty | Lyudmila Tomova Clark

Best Nocturne  $750
Leslie Lobell & Eric Timsak
The Harbor Sleeps | Zufar Bikbov

Best Seascape $500
Connolly Family Charitable Fund 
Life Amidst Granite | Kari Ganoung Ruiz

Outside the Box $500
Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
Ascending Order | Alex Eisenzopf

People at Work/Play $500
Susan & Roger Levine 
One Up One Down | Charles Newman

NEW! Coastal Light & Atmosphere $500
Kimberly Voltero at Emerson Inn 
Choate Island - October Morning | Stephen Wysocki

Small Painting Award, Small painting award
JFM frames $500 Gift Certificate
Towards Sundown | Anne Larsen

2 Honorable Mentions $100 Gift Card
Dick Blick
Bass Rock Break | Jim Wodark
Cape Hedge | Lisa Ellis

2 Honorable Mentions $200 Gift Card
Rosemary Brushes
Quarry Pines | Rusty Kinnunen
Road’s End | Henry Coe

A special thank you to the following organizations for their invaluable sponsorship of Cape Ann Plein Air.

Thank you to our 2026 Housing Hosts!

Amy Allen & Michael Wiklund

Pat & Glenn Alto

Karen Berger

Blue Shutters Beachside Inn

Gina & Vinny Briguglio

Terry & Liam Byrne

Cindy & Jonathan Calder

Jill Carey

Louisa Casadei-Johnson

Matt Casey & Jim Sanford

Karen & Joe Curran

Carol & David Delaney

Laura Dow

Sarah & Mike Dyer

Ramona & Mike Faherty

Matthew Genta & Carol Darbyshire

Susan Hall

Andrew Hankinson & Thomas Smoker

Olga Hayes & Ken King

Marcia Hubbard

Christina Lehmann

Roger & Susan Levine

Suzanne & Mark Lynch

Anne-Lise & Pat Morss

Isabel Parlee

Karen & Dan Perry

John & Sally Sarni

Ron & Jody Seger

Diane Wells

Kate & Dave Willwerth