PAG Plein Air

By stepping outside, you can discover new inspirations and enjoy fresh perspectives. The Guild organizes free Tuesday afternoon sessions giving members and guests a wonderful opportunity to explore creativity outdoors in a relaxed atmosphere. We welcome all experience levels and we truly want you to come and give this a try. We all had to start somewhere!

The challenge is working in a short window of time with changing weather and light. Clouds don’t stop moving and the shadows move with the sun. So Plein Air is a wonderful opportunity to learn to quickly get down the essentials. All while managing your materials and equipment.

We meet at a designated location mid-afternoon and make art for about 2 hours. We finish with a short “Show of Work” where we get a chance to look at each other’s work and draw inspiration for next time. There is no formal instruction. However, if asked, fellow artists will offer gentle and friendly encouragement and advice!

After – take your work back home to finish or use as a reference sketch for a finished painting.

We really look forward to you coming and trying Plein Air with Portsmouth Arts Guild. Come give it a try!

Wendy Berube, Graeme Smith, Amy Bartlett Wright

To receive the weekly schedule, sign up for the detailed PAG Plein Air newsletter. Please contact artistswelcome@portsmoutharts.org with any questions.

Rain will automatically cancel the event.

2026 Schedule

All dates are Tuesdays unless otherwise noted. Start times change relative to the sunset, check below for current time.

Middletown Valley Park

AUG 4, 5–7PM

Valley Park is a large open space of more than 40 acres, designed with plantings and winding walking trails. The landscape design consists of planting beds with islands of trees among natural vegetation. For many years a tree and shrub nursery, it’s now a public park with walking trails and views of the valley with a tributary that leads to Easton’s Pond, Newport. Beyond that is First Beach. Maybe we will spy a view of the pond. Leashed dogs are welcome.

MAPO’Neil Blvd, Middletown, RI

Golden Hour Plein Air with Amy Bartlett Wright

Coming Up...

AUG 11 Colt State Park, Bristol
AUG 18 Blue Bill Cove, Portsmouth
AUG 25 Fort Wetherill, Jamestown
SEP 1 Sapowet Marsh, Tiverton
SEP 15 Switch to 4pm start. Sachuest Point goldenrod fields, Middletown
SEP 22 Rocky Brook Orchard, Middletown
SEP 29 The Narrows, Bristol
OCT 6 Third Beach, Middletown
OCT 13 Quonset View Farm off Middle Road, pumpkin patch, Portsmouth. TBC
OCT 20 Surfers End, Second Beach, Middletown
OCT 27 Ragged Island Brewery, Portsmouth. End of Season Gathering RAIN OR SHINE

2026 Past Locations

Oh, the places we’ve been!

Ballard Park Preserve, Newport

JUL 28, 5–7PM

Formerly a quarry that supplied the granite for many of the Newport mansions. Now a 75-acre woodland park and nature preserve, with trails, wildlife, granite boulders, ravines, red swamp maples and quaking aspens.

MAPPark along Hazard Rd, Newport, RI

Common Fence Point Playground & Park, Portsmouth

JUL 21, 5–7PM

Coastal neighborhood with boats, beaches, marshes, creeks, even some small waterfalls.

MAP933 Anthony Rd, Portsmouth, RI

Beavertail State Park, Jamestown

JUL 14, 5–7PM

Beavertail offers some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline. Paint this pristine landscape from one of four overlooks, walk the rocky coastline, or feature the third-oldest lighthouse in America.

MAPBeavertail Road, Jamestown, RI