Desert Ridge Plein Air Festival
Phoenix, AZ

March 9, 2019

Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Presented by Vestar Properties (Desert Ridge Marketplace) and the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts, the 2019 Desert Ridge Plein Air Painting Festival provides a unique opportunity for artists to create original painted artworks live and in the open air, capturing the essence of a vibrant retail and community space while inviting shoppers to experience the sight, sound, and even texture of the plein air process. Over 20 artists will compete in the painting competition with $1600 in prizes and a chance to become part of the official Desert Ridge Plein Air Gallery. 
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Additional activities include a Youth Plein Air competition, free painting activities for kids, onstage drawing and painting workshops, and an auction of previous festival paintings. 

​Contemporary plein air artists capture moments in time that reflect the ever- changing colors, light and shadows, temperature and shifting elements. This art form requires stamina, focus and the ability to be completely absorbed in their work regardless of their surroundings. 

Why?

As a core Business and Arts Integration method, the Desert Ridge Plein Air Festival festival provides unique opportunities for community-driven creative experiences in public spaces.  SAACA supports this unique arts approach to expand opportunities for local artists to exhibit, develop and showcase their craft in the community while simultaneously giving youth and emerging artists the opportunity to participate in the arts in a new way. 

Free Admission

There is no cost to attend the art festival.

Event Partners

Location

Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050
 
Set in a striking outdoor setting, Desert Ridge Marketplace features premier shopping, chef driven restaurants, health and fitness inspired options and entertainment for every occasion. Experience upgraded amenities and immerse yourself in a collection of destinations.  Conveniently located in Phoenix, Arizona just North of the Loop 101 on Tatum Boulevard. Come experience Desert Ridge Marketplace. Where Life Happens.

Get Involved

Participate in the event as a featured  artist.  Apply Online below. 
Become an event sponsor.  Contact SAACA for a sponsor packet.
We are always in need of a few good volunteers.  Register to Volunteer

Awards

  • The following award categories are Purchase Awards and will be added into the Desert Ridge Marketplace’s Plein Air Gallery upon completion of the event:
    • Best of Show - $750 award 
    • Second Place - $500 award 
    • Third Place - $250 award 
    • First Place Youth Competition - $100
  •  Additionally, there will be ribbons awarded to the following categories:
    • People’s Choice
    • People’s Choice Youth Competition

Schedule

  • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Competition Registration 
  • 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Painting “en Plein Air” 
  • 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM Kids Activities, Workshops, Youth Plein Air Painting
  • No later than 3:30 PM, final art submission by artists to stage
  • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Judging and People's Choice Voting
  • 5:00 PM Announce Winners

Professional Judges

List of Professional Judges coming soon

Festival Tips

Parking is available free of charge at the shopping center.  If you are an emerging artist or professional artist and would like to get involved in the festival, complete the application for participation. 

2018 Winners

1st PLACE: JUDGES' CHOICE

Mick McGinty
Gilbert, AZ
www.mickmcgintyfineart.com

My painting is figurative depiction of kids playing in the Splash Pad.
​2nd PLACE: JUDGES' CHOICE

Sarah Richards
Tempe, AZ
www.sarahannrichards.com

My painting is inspired by the architectural elements of Desert Ridge Marketplace, with plenty of contrast (Shadows and Sunlight)! I like to go to the area and walk about then settle on what feels truly inspiring at the moment. 
3rd PLACE: JUDGES' CHOICE

Jay Begaye
Steamboat Canyon, AZ

Painting brings me to a place of tranquility and meditation. My intention is to place an individual in a space where they feel free spirited and at peace. 
HONORABLE MENTION: JUDGES' CHOICE

Peggy Wrobleski
Mesa, AZ
www.peggy-wrobleski.artistwebsites.com

My primary goal for this painting is color and fun. By its very nature, plein air painting has variables...wind, direction of the sun, vantage point, etc....elements of being in the moment and relating in a spontaneous way in order to share feelings with the viewer. I expect my result to be spritely and impressionistic, whether featuring palm trees against the blue sky or a brightly colored cafe scene, with considerable interaction with the spectators.
HONORABLE MENTION: JUDGES' CHOICE

Gina Ribaudo
Mesa, AZ
www.ILoveMurals.com

I love painting in a bright and vibrant style. My painting includes a major Mexican influence and fashion icon, Frida Kahlo. The photo for inspiration is from the cover of Vogue, October 1, 1937.
AUDIENCE CHOICE

Victor Navarro
Tucson, AZ
www.victornavarroart.weebly.com

My piece is an acrylic art work, in an abstract expressionist style with some figurative elements to represent Arizona culture and nature.

Festival Rules and Guidelines

The festival competition is open to any artist who paints using the Plein Air technique in oil, watercolor, acrylic, or pastel. Plein Air (open air) paintings are executed outdoors from real life, as opposed to being painted from photographs in a studio. Both artist and subject must be outdoors, and photographs are NOT used. Contemporary plein air artists capture moments in time that reflect the ever- changing colors, light and shadows, temperature and shifting elements. This art form requires stamina, focus and the ability to be completely absorbed in their work regardless of their surroundings. 
When: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
Where: Desert Ridge Marketplace (Loop 101 & Tatum Boulevard Phoenix, AZ) 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050 
Schedule:
  • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Event Registration 
  • 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Painting “en Plein Air” 
  • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Kids Activities, Workshops, Youth Plein Air Painting
  • No later than 3:30 PM Final art submission by artists to stage
  • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Judging and People's Choice Voting
  • 5:00 PM Announce Winners
Contact: Cait Huble (602) 697-0056 Cait@SAACA.org

ABOUT DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE | Loop 101 & Tatum Boulevard Phoenix, AZ
Conveniently located in Phoenix, Arizona just North of the Loop 101 on Tatum Boulevard. Come experience Desert Ridge Marketplace. Where Life Happens. Set in a striking outdoor setting, Desert Ridge Marketplace features premier shopping, chef driven restaurants, health and fitness inspired options and entertainment for every occasion. Experience upgraded amenities and immerse yourself in a collection of destinations, including AMC Theatres, Barnes & Noble, Barrio Queen, Dave & Buster’s, FIT36, Kirklands, MidiCi, Nekter Juice Bar, Old Navy, Target, The Body Lab, The Keg Steakhouse+Bar and Ulta. A center with depth and dimension, Desert Ridge Marketplace lets you interact and express yourself while experiencing something new and unique in this part of the city. Address: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050

RULES FOR THE EVENT:
  • Painting Location: 
    • All artists will be paining subjects or scenes outdoors within “The District” location of Desert Ridge Marketplace (see below map). To prevent congestion and ensure event spread throughout the Marketplace, up to 10 painters will be allowed in each of the 4 zones. Preference for zone selection will be given based on order of selection at registration. 
    • Artist registration, judging and awards announcement will be held near the Desert Ridge Marketplace stage in Zone 2, near Dave and Busters.
  • Materials: 
    • All canvas/panels/paper must be stamped PRIOR to painting. NO unstamped art will be judged. An unlimited number of canvases may be stamped but no more than two (2) can be submitted for the competition.
    • Only the following mediums will be accepted: oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels.
    • Students (age 18 and under) may utilize canvas, panels, paper in various mediums such as pencil, crayon, pen or ink and may submit unframed completed artwork.
    • Artists must provide their own materials and a sturdy easel(s) for display during the judging process.
    • Students (age 18 and under) may utilize canvas, panels, paper in various mediums such as pencil, crayon, pen or ink and may submit unframed completed artwork.
  • Painting Time Period: 
    • Each work of art must be started and completed, "en plein air", on March 9, 2019, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the day of the event. The event will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather we encourage artists to come prepared.
  • Size of Artwork: 
    • Size of unframed artwork is not to exceed 18" x 24".
  • Artist Participants: 
    • Participation is open to all. Artists under the 18 of enter are welcome to enter the Youth Plein Air Competition. 
  • Legal: 
    • Artists will be responsible for the safety of their paintings. Arizona Business Committee for the Arts and Vestar Properties (Desert Ridge) shall assume no responsibility for loss or damage to any work, display or person during this event.

REQUIRED REGISTRATION: All artists must register and have their canvas, panels or paper stamped prior to any work being done. (No exceptions). 
  • Pre-registration can be done online at https://www.saaca.org/desertridgepleinair.html
  • Artists that register early will be included in advance festival marketing and have onsite signage printed with their name and website. Zone selection for the festival is decided on a first registered, first basis. 
  • Onsite registration will take place from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the District Stage in Desert Ridge Marketplace 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050
  • There is no Registration fee to participate. 
  • No registrations will be accepted after 11 AM on March 9, 2019
  • Artists are encouraged to bring business cards and interact with the public while their art remains on display. The festival will print onsite signage for all artists that pre-register.

SUBMISSION and JUDGING PROCESS: 
  • Paintings must be delivered to the judging site (The District Stage) by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2019. There will be no late entries accepted.
  • Each artist may submit no more than two (2) finished paintings to be judged. Each entry must be on stamped canvas.  
  • Each finished painting submitted must be signed by the artist on the front.
  • The "Plein Air Stamp" provided at registration must be visible on the back of each painting at the time of submission.
  • Paintings must remain on display from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • All judging is final during the competition.

AWARDS: 
  • The following award categories are Purchase Awards and will be added into the Desert Ridge Marketplace’s Plein Air Gallery upon completion of the event:
    • Best of Show - $750 award 
    • Second Place - $500 award 
    • Third Place - $250 award 
    • First Place Youth Competition - $100
  •  Additionally, there will be ribbons awarded to the following categories:
    • People’s Choice
    • People’s Choice Youth Competition

​Award payment will not be presented on the day of the event. All funds will be disbursed within 30 days. 
For more information, please contact Cait Huble at (602) 697-0056 or cait@saaca.org, or visit https://www.saaca.org/desertridgepleinair.html

Gallery of Festival Photos