The 14th annual Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival will return to downtown Dexter Aug. 10-15, bringing dozens of artists to the community for a week of outdoor painting, workshops and public events. The festival is organized by the City of Dexter’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee and is free to attend.
Approximately 80 artists are expected to participate, creating paintings throughout Dexter and the surrounding countryside. Their completed works will be displayed during a public art show in Monument Park on Friday, Aug. 14, and Saturday, Aug. 15, where visitors can view and purchase artwork.
The week also includes youth art workshops, an adult workshop, a downtown Quick Draw competition, an awards ceremony, and a variety of live music and dance performances. Family activities, food and beverage sales, and opportunities to meet participating artists are also planned during the two-day art show.
Painting begins Monday, Aug. 10, with artists working at locations throughout the Dexter area. Youth workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12, followed by the Quick Draw competition, gallery opening and evening entertainment on Friday. Saturday’s schedule features additional live performances, children’s activities and the final hours of the art show.
Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival 2026 Event Schedule
Monday, August 10: Festival begins at 8 am, with artists painting at various locations throughout the day.
Tuesday, August 11: Painting continues.
Wednesday, August 12: Painting continues. Youth workshops starting at noon (advance registration highly recommended) – Monument Park (downtown Dexter).
Thursday, August 13: Painting continues.
Friday, August 14:
9:30 am Dance demonstration, Michigan Academy of Dance and Music – Monument Park
9:30 am-12:30 pm: Quick Draw competition around downtown Dexter (artists have three hours to complete a painting).
2 pm: Gallery Tent exhibit in Monument Park opens to the public.
2 pm: Beer and wine sales begin in the Gallery Tent.
2 pm – Dexter Dulcimers – Monument Park gazebo
5 pm: Award ceremony (prizes for various categories of artwork) – Gallery Tent
7 pm- 9 pm: Depot Town Big Band – Monument Park gazebo
9 pm: Gallery Tent closes.
Saturday, August 15:
9 am: Gallery Tent opens.
11 am: Free children’s art activity – Monument Park gazebo
Noon: Beer and wine sales begin in the Gallery Tent; Dulcenota String Ensemble performance.
1:15 pm: Ann Arbor Clarinet Trio – Gallery Tent
2:30 pm: G-Fours String Quartet – Gallery Tent
3:45 pm: Depot Town Jazz Ensemble – Gallery Tent
6 pm: Dexter Community Choir – Monument Park gazebo
8 pm: Event closes
A schedule of events, workshop registration information and festival details are available at paintdexter.com.
Featured photo: An artist paints en plein air during a previous Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival in downtown Dexter. The annual festival returns Aug. 10-15, when artists from around the region will create paintings on location throughout the community before exhibiting their work in Monument Park. Courtesy of Paint Dexter.
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