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Join us for an afternoon of art, awards, a plein air cafe and an Outdoor Art Market where artists will sell their work “off the easel”. Rotary’s Café International will have delicious food and wine for sale, with outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the festival. Hosted by Evanston Made and Rotary International, this event is FREE to attend. Hosted at Rotary International, Downtown Evanston, 1560 Sherman Ave., 12-4p.

• Enter Rotary International’s lobby to view submitted art and vote Festival Favorite, 12-3p
• Best in Show Judge: Mark Cleveland, at the 5th Annual Plein Air Festival. Mark’s role as Founder of the Evanston Plein Air Festival and Top 100 Finalist in Plein Air Magazine’s Plein Air Salon Art Competition make him an ideal judge to celebrate this festival’s 5th Anniversary. 
• Festival Award Ceremony: 3:30p

5th Anniversary Evanston Plein Air Festival

Saturday, July 11 - Sunday, July 19, 2026

Hosted by Evanston Made and community collaborators, this citywide summer arts festival invites the community to attend plein air art events, plein air — the act of painting outdoors, hosted in every neighborhood, accessible and free for all! This festival is a vibrant, art-filled experience for arts enthusiasts and patrons during the summer.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

1. Saturday, 7/11: Saw Room Gallery Festival Exhibit & Reception,1712 Sherman Ave., Rear 2, 5-7p
2. Sunday, 7/12: Paint Out, 1-4p at Arrington Pond. Awards at Café au Lake, 4p
3. Monday, 7/13 Open Paint 
4. Tuesday, 7/14: Class with Judge, 9a-1p at Arrington Pond. Paint Out: 1-5p, Greenwood Beach. Awards at Dawes Park Picnic Area, Picnic Table D, 6:30p
5. Wednesday, 7/15: Paint Out: 1:30-5:30p, Central Street between Greenbay Rd & Hartrey. Awards: 6:30p at Independence Park, Central and Stewart St.
6. Thursday, 7/18: Paint Out: 1:30-5:30p in Downtown Evanston. Awards: 6:30p at LeTour, 625 Davis St.
7. Friday, July 17: Paint Out: 1:30-5:30p at Main & Chicago Avenues. Awards: 6:30p at Block Party, 514 Main St.
8. Saturday, 7/18: Paint Out: 8:30-11:30a, at Farmers Market. Awards: 12p at Evanston Made Tent. 
9. Sunday, July 19: Festival Finale at Rotary International,1560 Sherman Ave. Vote Festival Favorite & Shop Plein Air Art Market: 12-3p. Awards: 3:30p

for information on how to register to compete and volunteer!

EVENT HOSTS

•Evanston Made is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization with the mission to connect Evanston creatives to the public through programming and events. Learn more at evanstonmade.org

• unites a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.4 million people of action from more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit .

•Chicago's North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation that provides marketing, special event, placemaking, and management services to the downtown Evanston business district. Learn more at visitchicagonorthshore.com

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you wish to support Evanston Made with our general operating expenses in addition to sponsoring specific event(s), please consider sponsoring our work.

Your sponsorship not only will help Evanston Made produce quality programming, activities, and art events for our community, it will also provide the seeds for Evanston Made to become a more scalable and sustainable organization.

Evanston Made is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit art organization. Contributions to Evanston Made are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, and our tax identification number/EIN is 84-3971750.

to become a sponsor today and thank you for supporting Evanston Made.