Welcome to Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2025 Rivers Project Plein Air Art Competition!

This contest is an open-air painting and drawing competition at Rivers Project recreation areas throughout the month of June, 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 a weekend artist retreat at the Green Tree Inn in Elsah, IL. All entries will also be included in an art exhibit in the National Great Rivers Museum!

Artists may paint or draw independently any time between June 1st and June 22nd, 2025, with submissions due to the National Great Rivers Museum by 5:00 p.m. on June 22nd. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the National Great Rivers Museum on July 12th at 3:30 p.m. All submitted works will be displayed in an art exhibit in the National Great Rivers Museum that will run from July 14th to September 14th, 2025, with the option for artists to list works for sale, if desired. Artists may not opt out of the exhibit.

There is a one-time, non-refundable entry fee of $25 per artist. This covers all submitted works; artists may choose to paint/draw at only one location or at all 8.

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.

A complete rules and regulations document may be found at the bottom of this page, along with a registration link. You must read and fully understand all rules and regulations before registering.

To download the map document, click the link above.

To read the full rules and regulations document, click the link above.

To register for the competition, click here.

You must read and fully understand all rules and regulations before registering.