Driggs Plein Air Festival
The 15th Annual Driggs Plein Air Festival will take place for registered artists from July 22 - August 1, 2026. Public Festival dates are Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1. Artists and collectors enjoy many activities like the extended Exhibition & Sale, Opening Reception, Quick Draw Competitions, Collectors Night, Workshops, Paint-Outs, Competition Awards Ceremony, and Closing Reception. 2026 marks the second year the Festival will have a juried entry process, with 75 national selected artists invited to participate in both events and the formal competition.
2026 Driggs Plein Air Registered Artist Roster:
Judges and Workshop Instructors: Kathryn Stats and John Lintott
Mark Alldredge, Darrell Allen, Kirsten Anderson, Katelyn Baird, Olga Bankston, Emily Boespflug, Margie Brackin, Lynn Bright, Allen Brockbank, Nikita Budkov, Teri Capp, Nanci Charpentier, Charles Lewis Dayton, David Dean, Megan Drew, Lisa Duncan, Dave English, Sara Beth Fair, Katy Ann Fox, Robert Fuerer, Christy Fuller, Doyle Geddes, Tim Goodworth, Laurence Granston, Eileen Guernsey-Brown, Sam Guindon, Susan Hall, Olga Hegner, Laurie Hendricks, Zach Hixson, Ellen Howard, Joni Jurek, Kevin Tice, Lester Lee, Cody Ling, Blake Luther, Catherine Martin, Deborah McAllister, Heather McCullough, Teri McLaren, Trish Melander, Bobbi Miller, Gia Moody, Michelle Nixon, Christina Pahucki, Abigale Palmer, Nolan Parson, McKenzie Paxton, David Peacock, Maria Ressler, Russell Ricks, Bryce Samuelson, Sabrina Schmidt, Ryan Schoeck, Stef Schroeder, Anneliese Shapiro, Cindy Shaw, Kelly Ann Sheridan, Paula Soper, Steve Spencer, Evan Stephens, Richard Szkutnik, Lara Taubner, Emily Thomas, Kevin Tice, Sue Tyler, Thomas Van Stein, Kevin Wallace, Cynde Wilson, Elo Wobig, Min Zhong
1st Place Award
Bryce Samuelson for "Bliss Rock"
2nd Place Award
McKenzie Paxton for "Targhee Medley"
3rd Place Award *Presented by Plein Air Painters of Idaho
Sabrina Schmidt for "Has Been a Good Friend"
People's Choice Award
Elo Wobig for "Last Light First Moon"
People's Choice Award Honorable Mention
Michelle Nixon for "A Bit of Rain on East Little Main"
Artist's Choice Award
Zach Hixson for "Home Base"
Nocture 1st Place
Dave English for "Driggs the View"
Nocturne Honorable Mention
Olga Bankston for "Bicycles at Rest"
Honorable Mention
Allen Brockbank for "Woodland Radiance"
Honorable Mention
Lester B. Lee for "Three"
Honorable Mention
Joni Jurek for "Teton Canyon"
Honorable Mention
Blake Luther for "Benchmark"
Honorable Mention
Russell Ricks for "Sunrise on an Overcast Day"
Driggs Plein Air Competition Event Information
People's Choice: Elo Wobig "Last Light First Moon"
Honorable Mention: Michelle Nixon "A Bit of Rain on E Little Main"
Artist Choice: Zach Hixson "Home Base"
Plein Air Awards
1st Place: Bryce Samuelson "Bliss Rock"
2nd Place: McKenzie Paxton "Targhee Medley"
3rd Place: Sabrina Schmidt "Has Been a Good Friend"
Honorable Mentions
• Russell Ricks "Sunrise on an Overcast Day"
• Lester B. Lee "Three"
• Joni Jurek "Teton Canyon"
• Allen Brockbank "Woodland Radiance"
• Blake Luther "Benchmark"
Nocturnes Awards
1st Place: Dave English "Driggs the View"
Honorable Mention: Olga Bankston "Bicycles at Rest"
