2023 Mount Dora
PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT
Join us in October for a week of Plein air painting in beautiful downtown Mount Dora, Florida.
This is an all inclusive and fun event . The annual event includes a people’s choice award and cash prizes.
What is Plein Air? (French: plein air )
Plein Air is the practice of painting landscape pictures outside. It’s creating an intense impression of the moment in the open air.
Plein Air Sale and Exhibition
The artwork created by this year’s plein air artists will be available for sale in the MDCA gallery October 21 until November 12, 2023.
Hosted by the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, proceeds of all painting sales will support art education in local schools and underserved areas of our community.

Artist John Singer Sargent paints plein air around the turn of the century
PAINT THE TOWN Saturday Oct 14 - Saturday Oct 21, 2023
How this works:
Pre register online anytime before Sunday October 8, 2023 to be a “Featured Artist.” Email a photo of yourself or an example of your work to [email protected] and we will add you to our website. This is optional. You do not need to submit material to register early.
Check-in at MDCA to get your mediums officially stamped Saturday October 14 or Sunday October 15 between 8:30AM and 11AM in the gallery. You can come upstairs to get stamped (M-F 9AM until 5PM) Max size allowed is 16×20 (two submissions allowed for judging but you can get more than two stamped for the gallery sale)
Venture over to the iconic lighthouse, seek a quiet setting along waterfront, Palm Island park, or grab a spot along the bustling sidewalks of the downtown shops to set up and PAINT!
Paint on location from dusk to dawn and return your artwork to the Art Center anytime during the week before Saturday October 21 at 1PM. We will award 1st ($100), 2nd ($75), and 3rd ($50) place prizes at 4PM in the MDCA gallery Saturday October 21. A People’s Choice award will be given on Sunday October 29 after tallying votes from gallery guests during the Mount Dora Craft Fair.
Where to Check in: Mount Dora Center for the Arts 138 E 5th Ave Mount Dora, Florida
Paintings will be displayed for sale in the MDCA gallery through November 12, 2023. Pick up artwork November 12, 2023 9AM-5PM. Paintings that remain will be considered donations to MDCA and are tax deductible.
Artist Registration Fees: MDCA Members $30 / Non-Members $35
QUICK DRAW Saturday November 4, 2023
How this works:
Pre-register online or during Check in and get your canvas stamped at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts gallery on Saturday November 4,2023 from 9 to 10AM.
The 2023 theme for this popular, timed event is “Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair”. Artwork must be submitted by 1 PM. We will award a $100 cash prize for the best Quick Draw painting and wet paintings will be available for sale on site until 4PM. (60/40 split)
Artwork will remain for sale in the gallery through November 12, 2023. Pick up artwork November 12, 2023 9AM-5PM. Paintings that remain will be considered donations to MDCA and are tax deductible.
Artist Registration Fees: MDCA Members $20 / Non-Members $25
Read Official Mount Dora Plein Air Paint Out RULES 2023 below
2023 Featured Plein Air Artists coming soon
2022 Mount Dora Plein Air Winners

Morna Strengholt 1st place 2022 Paint Out winner

Jane Slivka 2nd Place 2022 Paint Out winner

Elisabeth Ferber 3rd Place Paint Out winner

Rudy Drapiza Honorable Mention 2022 Paint Out

Brian Lawson Honorable Mention and 2022 Peoples Choice Award

Morna Strengholt 1st place winner 2022 Quick Draw