The 6th Annual North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival returns to historic New Bern from Sunday, May 11 through Sunday, May 17, 2026, bringing eight days of creativity, community, and culture. This highly anticipated event showcases nationally and internationally acclaimed plein air artists, including newly juried painters alongside returning award winners and top performers from previous festivals.
“The term ‘plein air’ is French and means ‘open air,’” said Festival organizer Kippy Hammond. “Plein air painting can be traced back to Impressionist artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Degas, who painted outdoors to capture fleeting moments of light, color, and atmosphere rather than detailed representations.”
Painting venues include historic New Bern, the first state capital and second oldest European American town in North Carolina, as well as Beaufort, home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, and Oriental, the sailing capital of North Carolina. Artists will also explore scenic locations throughout Craven, Carteret, and Pamlico Counties. Over the course of the festival, approximately 400 original works will be created as artists compete for top honors, including the prestigious Best of Show Koffenberger Award.
Festival headquarters will be based at the Historic New Bern Farmers Market, just steps from Tryon Palace. The venue will host demonstrations, daily gallery talks, workshops, art displays, and sales, while additional pop up exhibits and events will take place in Beaufort and Oriental. Most activities are free to attend, with fees only for select workshops and artist participation in the Quick Paint competition.
Before the festival begins, visitors can enjoy a special preview during the New Bern Historic Society Heritage Homes Tour on May 1 and 2. Members of the Coastal Carolina Plein Air Painters will be painting live throughout the downtown and riverside historic districts, offering a unique opportunity to watch artwork come to life in real time. Select participating artists will compete for a cash prize, with the winning painting featured in the festival’s main Exhibition Gallery.
The festival continues to grow under the leadership of a dedicated board of directors, including Kippy Hammond, Ann Dodys, Mark Ulrey, Stephen Dunn, Lynne Harakal, and Patricia Suggs. With strong community support and a shared passion for the arts, the future of the North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival remains bright. The event not only celebrates artistic excellence but also supports Plein Air New Bern, a nonprofit organization committed to expanding opportunities for individuals to be a part of art in their communities.