Sunday, July 5 – Friday, July 17, 2026

In collaboration with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, Fairhaven Summer Art Gallery invites artists to paint outdoors in Fairhaven for this year’s Plein Air on Open Lands event.

Kickoff Event

Sunday Morning, July 5 — Carvalho Farm

Join us for the kickoff morning at Carvalho Farm — 201 Shaw Road. Artists are invited to gather, paint, meet one another, and begin work for the event. There will be a restroom, and Runabout Coffee will be there from 7 am- 11 am. We will be near the road until 10 am but then will journey into the cooler woods and down to Indian Rock for all the views.

How It Works

Paint anytime between July 5 and July 17 anywhere outdoors in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

All media are welcome. Paintings should be created on location; a few finishing touches afterward are fine.

There is no fee to enter. Just paint. Submit your best work for judging.

Twenty paintings will be chosen to be displayed and judged at the Night at the Town Hall.

Prizes

Buzzards Bay Coalition Plein Air Prize
For paintings created on July 5 at Carvalho Farm
Rain date: July 12

West Island Views in Fairhaven Prize
For paintings created in Fairhaven during the event window

Best Fairhaven Plein Air Prize
For paintings created in Fairhaven during the event window

Views from the Phoenix Bike Path Prize
For paintings created in Fairhaven during the event window

Submission & Selection

Submit paintings by July 17. Email images to mail@fairhavensummerartgallery.com or bring them to the Gallery for photographing by 1 pm.

Twenty paintings will be selected to advance to judging at Fairhaven Town Hall.

Selected paintings need to be dropped off at the Gallery on July 18th (or before) by 2pm. Yes, we would love to borrow your easel for display!

Judging by the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Winners announced at the Night at the Town Hall Event

Exhibition

July 18th, 7 - 9 pm, the 20 selected paintings will be displayed at the Night at the Town Hall event. All work must be for sale to be eligible for prizes. 25% Gallery commission on sales.

After July 18, paintings (unless they are sold) will be exhibited at:

Fairhaven Tattoo and Gallery at 72 Main Street

Through August 2nd