**Register Today!**
In association with Play Frisco – City of Frisco Parks and Recreation Department, Visual Arts Guild of Frisco presents the 5th annual “En Plein Air Frisco” event!
The event is hosted at The Grove at the Commons, (8300 McKinney Rd Frisco, TX). Artists compete for cash prizes totaling $2,000+ as well as possible artwork selection into an extended exhibition at The Grove. Artists may paint for up to or all 3 days at select locations within the city of Frisco. Paint out options schedule below:
Day One - Thursday, April 15: Artists Meet and Greet from 5:30pm-7:00pm; optional nocturne paint at Kaleidoscope Park or PGA Frisco from 6:00pm-10:00pm. Drop off completed piece at The Grove at the Commons no later than 10:30pm
Day Two - Friday, April 16: Full day paint out 7:00am - 8:30pm. Drop off completed piece at The Grove at the Commons no later than 9:00pm. Optional wet paint/quick draw competition 6:30pm-8:30pm WP/QD drop off completed piece no later than 9pm. If Rain Out on Friday, then Saturday Quick Draw is 12:30pm – 2:30pm (3:00pm turn in)
Day Three - Saturday, April 17: Paint out 7:00am - 2:30pm Day three paint out drop off completed piece no later than 3:00pm.
All artwork displayed during this event must be for sale at a value of $100 or more. 30% commission donation from the exhibition sales benefits the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco.
**No images need to be submitted**
Registration is open to the public; fee is $65, VAGF members and past participants receive a $10 discount (please email finance@vagf.org for the member code). If you would like to join the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco prior to registration, please sign up HERE!
The first 50 artists to register will participate. The fee is non-refundable but is transferrable with approval by VAGF Board. **All participating artists will receive a t-shirt and swag bag**
Registration deadline: Sunday, March 28, 2027
*New park add for Nocturne - PGA District / Omni PGA Frisco!
City of Frisco Parks locations & Frisco Rail District:
1.) *Nocturnal Paint Out: Kaleidoscope Park: 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034
or *PGA District: 3441 PGA Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75033
2.) Heritage Museum and Park: 6455 Page St, Frisco TX
3.) Freedom Meadow at Warren Park: 7599 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco TX
4.) Frisco Commons Park and the Grove at the Commons: 8300 McKinney Rd, Frisco TX
5.) Limestone Quarry Park: 1230 Maltby Drive, Frisco, TX 75035
6.) Rail District / Main St / 4th Street Plaza: 8840 4th St, Frisco, TX 75034
Jurors: To Be Announced!
Important dates, deadlines, and event schedule
- Entry deadline March 28, 2027
- Online Orientation dates to be announced!
- Artists Meet and Greet: April 15, 5:30pm to 7:00pm at The Grove at The Commons
- Official Paint Out: April 15 – 17, 2027
- Exhibition open to public: April 16 – 17, 2027, at The Grove at The Commons
- Wet Paint / Quick draw Competition (Optional sign up at the event. Free for VAGF Members, $20 for non-members)
- Awards Reception: April 17, 2027, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at The Grove at The Commons
- Exhibition ends 8:30pm, April 17, 2027 – Buyers must pick up sold artwork, Artists must pick up unsold work.
- Extended Exhibition April 17 - June 20, 2027 (estimated) for a selection of artworks at The Gallery Wall at The Grove!
Plein Air painting dates back to the French impressionists who left their studios to paint “in the open air.” Plein Air painting is exhilarating and challenging for artists who attempt to quickly capture the light and colors of the scene before them. The French term "plein air" means out of doors and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pieces out of doors rather than in a studio.
Nocturne Painting Tips HERE!
The judging for the overall three-day painting competition (including wet paint) will take place at the awards reception on 4/17/27. Each day completed Plein Air artwork will be exhibited at The Grove at the Commons and will be available for purchase. All artwork must be for sale and cannot be taken by collectors or artists until the end of the public awards reception on 4/17/27.
For more information and details regarding travel, lodging, images of painting locations, etc. email finance@vagf.org go to: www.vagf.org
En Plein Air Frisco 2027 PARTICIPATION RULES:
- Participants must be present (no agent) at orientation and participate in all event activities as listed in event itinerary (distributed at orientation)
- Paintings must have an event stamp and be created during the official painting period and turned in by end of each painting day/time allotted to be eligible for awards.
- Paintings must be for sale with a $100 minimum price.
- Sales split: 30% to VAGF donation and 70% to the artist.
- Minimum size: No side smaller than 8 inches, excluding frame.
- Maximum size: No side may exceed 24 inches including the frame.
- All work must be in gallery quality frames “wired” (no saw-tooth hangers) and ready for hanging.
- Gallery wrapped stretched canvas acceptable provided sides are painted for the gallery exhibition and 1.5" or large in depth wired and ready for hanging. (you may paint the sides and tape before check in/stamping)
- Each Artist can submit one artwork each for the following: Nocturne paint (Thursday), Paint out (Friday), Paint out (Saturday), Wet Paint/Quick Draw (Friday night, *see above) for the maximum total of four throughout the competition.
- Pick-up of unsold work by the artist after the evening reception on April 17, 2027. Any artwork left behind will be considered abandoned and donated to the property of VAGF (Visual Arts Guild of Frisco)
RESPONSIBILITY, COMMITMENT, AND LIABILITY OF THE ARTIST - Please note that by registering for any VAGF art calls you agree that, if selected, your art will be displayed in a public area at your own risk.
- By entering the event, you agree that you have read and will abide by all the rules outlined in this prospectus.
- Work cannot be removed from exhibition panels until the end of show, unless sold through VAGF Board member. Anyone who removes work prior to end of exhibition will be disqualified from future En Plein Air Frisco and possibly other VAGF events.
- Exception: Should a situation or emergency occur that makes it necessary that a participant must leave before the end of exhibition, the artist must immediately notify event committee. All work must remain hanging in the exhibition and competition artist must arrange for unsold work to be picked up at close of exhibition.
- Visual Arts Guild of Frisco, the City of Frisco, Play Frisco are not responsible for the loss or damage of any artwork, for any reason, no matter what the cause. By submitting artwork to this event, you understand and agree with this statement. Insurance for any loss or damage to artwork is the sole responsibility of the participating artist. The artist also agrees to handle the removal of unsold work as set forth in the prospectus.
CONTACT US: info@vagf.org
LIABILITY: Visual Arts Guild of Frisco (VAGF) is not responsible for any damage, breakage, replacement or cost associated with any damage or breakage that may have occurred during transport or unpacking. Photos of damages upon receipt will be promptly sent to artists. Every precaution will be taken in handling the entries, but VAGF assumes no liability for any loss or damage to any artist’s work while in our care, custody or control, before, during or after the exhibition. Each artist, if they wish, should provide their own insurance.
USE OF IMAGES: Any image submitted may be used for marketing and promotional purposes directly related to this show or future shows without further remuneration to the artist. This use may include publication in any publications, printed materials, advertisements, or electronic media. Copyright and all other rights remain that of the artist.