Finalists Announced for 2026 Canada Paints Plein Air Competition

Eight artists have been selected as finalists for the 2026 Canada Paints Plein Air Competition, taking place Saturday, Aug. 8, in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Hosted by Canada Paints Plein Air, the second annual competition celebrates the tradition of painting outdoors, challenging artists to leave the studio behind and create original landscape paintings inspired by nature. The event is presented in partnership with the Bow Valley Ranche Historical Society and supported by Swinton's Art Supply, Kensington Art Supply & Instruction, and Forever Easel.

"We're excited to welcome another exceptional group of artists to this year's competition," says Canada Paints Plein Air President Victoria Zyluk. "The quality of submissions continues to impress us and reflects the growing enthusiasm for plein air painting in Alberta and beyond."

Finalists are:
• Louise Lacey-Rokosh
• Marike MacDonald
• Gerry Mulhall
• Stephen Purdy
• Lisa Ramer
• David Shkolny
• Samantha Williams-Chapelsky
• Oksana Zhelisko

Artists who were not selected as finalists are automatically entered to compete as wildcard competitors, painting alongside the finalists for a chance to earn prizes and entry as a finalist in next year's competition.

Prizes include:
• First Place: $1,000
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250

Wildcard awards include:
• Kensington Art Supply and Instruction is donating $100 gift cards for the top four Wildcard category winners:
– First Place: Automatic entry as a 2027 finalist and a $100 gift certificate
– Second Place: $100 gift certificate
– Third Place: $100 gift certificate
– Fourth Place: $100 gift certificate

• Forever Easel is donating non-warping painter panels to 10 lucky Wildcard winners, with each winner receiving a set of four panels.

​• Swinton’s Art Supplies is offering every registered participant a 20% in-store discount.
Paintings will be judged at the conclusion of the live competition, with winners announced during the awards ceremony on Aug. 8.
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The public is invited to watch artists paint throughout the day and attend the free awards presentation.
Media are invited to photograph artists painting throughout Fish Creek Provincial Park between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Interviews with artists and organizers can be arranged in advance.