HUDSON VALLEY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL 2026 | Exhibit at WRCA
Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival 2026 Exhibition
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
October 11 – November 8, 2026
Carl Grauer, Hudson Bend, oil on canvas, 12 x 24 in. | Best in Show
HUDSON VALLEY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL 2026 – Online Exhibit & Sale
Wallkill River Center for the Arts (WRCA) is pleased to present the 10th edition of the famed Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival (HVPAF). During this multi-day event (Wednesday to Sunday, October 7 -11), 30 artists are invited to paint on the grounds of selected historic sites and capture these iconic vistas at the height of the autumnal season.
Historic sites include Hill-Hold & Brick House Museums, Brotherhood Winery, Goshen Historic Track, City Winery, Greenwood Lake Farmers Market, and West Point. “As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, we believe it is essential to shed light on our iconic historic neighbors and highlight the Hudson Valley’s rich heritage at this year’s festival.” states artist and event chair, Susan Baldwin.
From first sketch to final brushstroke, the 2026 HVPAF artists were on location at Paint-outs, on-site displays, pop-up exhibits, Quick Draw, and demonstrations. As the culmination of this multi-day event, artworks created during the festival exhibited at WRCA Galleries; these works considered for awards and site-specific prizes.
HVPAF PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Susan Baldwin, Sarah Baskin, John Capowski, Catherine De Cesare, Lisa Diebboll, Jennifer Gibson, Elissa Gore, Carl Grauer, Susan Lais Hostetler, Shawn Dell Joyce, Ronna Katz, Gail Kelly, Ward Lamb, Valerie Light, Marie McCann, Insiya Pardiwala, Rick Parenti, John Park, Jeanne Plekon, Geraldine Popko, Joanne Schwartz, Mary M Sealfon, Vaune Sherin, Patricia Valens, Nancy Woogen, Nancy Y, and Jen Zernhelt.
HVPAF AWARD RECIPIENTS
Best in Show – Carl Grauer, “Hudson Bend” | 2nd Place – Marie McCann, “Greenwood Lake Beach” | 3rd Place – Sarah Baskin “Water’s Edge” | Best of West Point – Jeanne Plekon, “Trophy Point” | Best of Goshen – Elissa Gore, “First Reds” | Best of Goshen Historic Track – Jen Zernhelt, “Race To The Finish” | Best Nocturne – Mary M Sealfon, “Nocturne” | Quick Draw 1st Place – Sarah Baskin | Quick Draw 2nd Place – Nancy Woogen | Quick Draw 3rd Place – Susan Lais Hostetler.
Special THANK YOU
HVPAF Chair, Susan Baldwin; Awards Juror, Janet Howard Fatta; Panel of Jurors – Janet Campbell, Joseph Sundwall, and Shawn Dell Joyce; HVPAF Graphics, William Martin; Paint-Out Site Partners – Brotherhood Winery, City Winery, West Point Military Academy, Goshen Historic Track, Hill-Hold and Brick House Museum, and Greenwood Lake Farmers Market; and to our donors, sponsors, and partners listed below. Your support of the arts in our community makes programs such as the Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival possible – Thank you!
