Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2026 Rivers Project Plein Air Art Competition

This contest is an open-air painting and drawing competition at US Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project recreation areas throughout the month of May, open to all amateur and professional artists ages 16+. Draw or paint the scenery in-person at one (or all) of 8 featured Rivers Project Recreation Areas, then submit completed works to be included in a juried art competition for regional and cash prizes, including the opportunity for the grand prize winner to exhibit their work at Mooneyham Art Gallery in Alton, IL! All works will also be featured in an art exhibit in the National Great Rivers Museum from June 15th-August 30th, 2026. Artists may paint or draw independently any time between May 1st and May 31st, 2026, with submissions due at the National Great Rivers Museum by 5:00 p.m. on May 31st.

Plein Air, a French term meaning “in open air” is a method of painting in which the artist paints entirely outdoors, capturing the essence and lighting of the real-life scene in front of them. It first gained popularity in the 19th century with the availability of paints in tube form, which allowed artists to more easily work outdoors. Today it continues to be a popular art form, practiced by artists all over the world. In the spirit of this art technique, all paintings and drawings must be completed entirely outdoors at the depicted location.