ZDG COMMUNITY EVENTS
The 2026 Plein Air Festival combines our evening and daytime segments to allow artists to paint both times for one registration fee.
Friday, June 26, - "Dusk to Dark" Artists who participate in Dusk to Dark must register and have their canvases stamped that evening at The Presque Isle Pavilion. Once completed, artwork must be turned in that evening by 10:00 pm. Emphasis should be placed on capturing the evening light, as it showcases sunset, nighttime cityscapes, etc.
Saturday, June 27 – “All-Day Painting” Artists participating in the daytime competition may get their canvases stamped on Friday evening or Saturday morning, then have until 4:30 pm to submit their pieces for jurying, display, and sales at Presque Isle Pavilion.
***Artists may enter two paintings into the competition, painted either Friday evening or Saturday.
Painters must be 17 years old to enter the competition. Artists may paint anywhere within the Historic City of Marquette and along the Lake Superior Shoreline. All paintings must be stamped upon registration and created outdoors and on-site. Artists have an unique opportunity to share their visions of what they see and experience in the moment.
This year’s judge will be Elizabeth Gartner Howe. Elizabeth is an established artist based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she lives and works along the shores of Lake Superior. For over 40 years, she has created paintings rooted in a close connection to the natural world.Her practice includes both plein air and studio work, as well as a long history of large-scale murals and public art installations.
Artists may pre-register through the Zero Degrees Gallery Website, https://www.zerodegreesgallery.org, or send in a paper copy of the enclosed registration with a check made out to Zero Degrees Gallery / Fresh Coast Plein Air Festival to Zero Degrees Gallery, 525 N. Third Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855. There is a discount for early registration which will end on June 18, one week before the event. Artists may also sign up and pay fees the day of the event, without the discount. For more information or questions, please contact Marlene Wood at [email protected] or 847 791-8403.
Friday - "Dusk to Dark" and Saturday “All Day Painting”- one fee includes both times.
Level 1: Professional/advanced
$35 pre-registered / $40 day-of event
Level 2: Novice, intermediate, emerging, recreational
$25 pre-registered / $30day-of event
***Pre-registration will end on June 18.
Saturday Evening Awards Reception
Approximately $3,000 in monetary artist prizes will be awarded inclusive of: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for both competition levels, people’s choice awards and door prizes. Artists are encouraged to price their artwork for Saturday’s reception as well as for Sunday’s event. This year’s judge will be Elizabeth Gartner Howe. Elizabeth is an established artist based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she lives and works along the shores of Lake Superior. For over 40 years, she has created paintings rooted in a close connection to the natural world. Her practice includes both plein air and studio work, as well as a long history of large-scale murals and public art installations.
Sunday, June 28 – “Sales and Social Day” – Open to Public
Our “Sales and Social Day”, takes place at Marquette’s Presque Isle Pavilion from 9:00 -12:30. Artists may bring in up to three paintings they have painted throughout the weekend in Marquette, (including those not entered in the competition). Paintings must be priced to sell. We request a 10% donation from artists for artwork they sell, with checks being made out to “Friends of Zero Degrees” to be used to “give back" to the community.
Friday, June 26, - "Dusk to Dark" Artists who participate in Dusk to Dark must register and have their canvases stamped that evening at The Presque Isle Pavilion. Once completed, artwork must be turned in that evening by 10:00 pm. Emphasis should be placed on capturing the evening light, as it showcases sunset, nighttime cityscapes, etc.
Saturday, June 27 – “All-Day Painting” Artists participating in the daytime competition may get their canvases stamped on Friday evening or Saturday morning, then have until 4:30 pm to submit their pieces for jurying, display, and sales at Presque Isle Pavilion.
***Artists may enter two paintings into the competition, painted either Friday evening or Saturday.
Painters must be 17 years old to enter the competition. Artists may paint anywhere within the Historic City of Marquette and along the Lake Superior Shoreline. All paintings must be stamped upon registration and created outdoors and on-site. Artists have an unique opportunity to share their visions of what they see and experience in the moment.
This year’s judge will be Elizabeth Gartner Howe. Elizabeth is an established artist based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she lives and works along the shores of Lake Superior. For over 40 years, she has created paintings rooted in a close connection to the natural world.Her practice includes both plein air and studio work, as well as a long history of large-scale murals and public art installations.
Artists may pre-register through the Zero Degrees Gallery Website, https://www.zerodegreesgallery.org, or send in a paper copy of the enclosed registration with a check made out to Zero Degrees Gallery / Fresh Coast Plein Air Festival to Zero Degrees Gallery, 525 N. Third Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855. There is a discount for early registration which will end on June 18, one week before the event. Artists may also sign up and pay fees the day of the event, without the discount. For more information or questions, please contact Marlene Wood at [email protected] or 847 791-8403.
Friday - "Dusk to Dark" and Saturday “All Day Painting”- one fee includes both times.
Level 1: Professional/advanced
$35 pre-registered / $40 day-of event
Level 2: Novice, intermediate, emerging, recreational
$25 pre-registered / $30day-of event
***Pre-registration will end on June 18.
Saturday Evening Awards Reception
Approximately $3,000 in monetary artist prizes will be awarded inclusive of: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for both competition levels, people’s choice awards and door prizes. Artists are encouraged to price their artwork for Saturday’s reception as well as for Sunday’s event. This year’s judge will be Elizabeth Gartner Howe. Elizabeth is an established artist based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she lives and works along the shores of Lake Superior. For over 40 years, she has created paintings rooted in a close connection to the natural world. Her practice includes both plein air and studio work, as well as a long history of large-scale murals and public art installations.
Sunday, June 28 – “Sales and Social Day” – Open to Public
Our “Sales and Social Day”, takes place at Marquette’s Presque Isle Pavilion from 9:00 -12:30. Artists may bring in up to three paintings they have painted throughout the weekend in Marquette, (including those not entered in the competition). Paintings must be priced to sell. We request a 10% donation from artists for artwork they sell, with checks being made out to “Friends of Zero Degrees” to be used to “give back" to the community.
October 5-8, 2026
Peter White Public Library, 211 Front St., Marquette, MI 
|
Explore watercolor with artist Kathleen Conover in an intimate workshop hosted by Zero Degrees Gallery. Four days of painting will be a mix of all things purely watercolor: from right-brained loose and intuitive, to left-brained planned and executed. When we engage both sides of our brain, we are creating from “our head, our hands and our heart," and are truly creating our best art.
Kathleen will present daily demonstrations, provide printed handouts, give individual attention, and ensure indepen-dent work time. One session will be in the Library gardens. Artists of all skill levels and styles are encouraged. Kathleen shares all her “secrets” because, most of all, she wants each artist to advance to the next level- no matter where you start. Artists supply their own materials. |