History of Plein Air Austin

PAA was loosely established in 2001 by a group of Austin artists who had been meeting regularly to paint the scenery in the many local parks and natural areas for which the Texas Hill Country is so well-known. The artists desired to have a name under which to promote the concept of plein air painting and to exhibit their work and so decided upon Plein Air Austin. Various artists did host several shows, including a significant group show in Santa Fe in the fall of 2003.

Also in 2003, several members participated in a paint out and show during the Wildflower Days Artisan's Festival at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. The most recent exhibit was held in the spring of 2004 in conjunction with the Texas Hill Country Fine Art and Wine Tour.

During the years, members have come and gone, sometimes there have been as many as 20 painting regularly side by side at some of their favorite spots, but the group remained very loosely organized and shows and events were irregular at best.

Late in 2005, Terri M. Wells had a vision of a more stable and structured group which would benefit all artists interested in painting outdoors and so in 2006, a board of directors was established and membership benefits created with the hope that the group would flourish and become a respected organization representing talented outdoor painters in Texas and beyond. In 2007, Plein Air Austin gained it's 501c3 Nonprofit status.

Plein Air Austin currently hosts approximately 4 paintouts a month in Austin and around central Texas.
It also provides demos, workshops, hosts networking, opportunities to discuss artwork, an annual member show, and an annual paintout weekend outside of Austin.

Original board members creating the nonprofit Plein Air Austin: Tricia Butler, Jill Carver, Robin Drerup, Carol Marine, Flo Vasquez, Virginia Vaughan, Terri M. Wells