Colchester Art Society
Plein Air Exhibition 2026
Date: 15th – 18th January 2026
All Welcome!
This Plein Air Exhibition grows from a personal initiative rooted in a simple but powerful desire: to encourage our artists to step out of the studio and embrace the experience of painting directly from nature. What began as an effort to bring members together outdoors has since evolved into a thriving and passionate group whose enthusiasm for working from life continues to flourish.
Proudly sponsored by Colchester Art Society and open exclusively to our members, this exhibition celebrates our shared commitment to creativity, community, and the unique dialogue between artists and the world around us. By showcasing the remarkable talents of those who paint on location, we honour a historic practice that captures the immediacy of the outdoors and invites the public to connect with the same sense of place, light, and atmosphere that inspires us in the field.
In highlighting the diverse ways us artists interpret the landscapes and streetscapes of Colchester and surroundings, we place a well-deserved spotlight on a tradition that has long captivated audiences. This exhibition reaffirms our society’s values of artistic expression, cultural enrichment, and community engagement celebrating Colchester as both muse and home to a vibrant and ever-growing creative community.
The Minories Front Room, 74 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UE
Thursday - Sunday 10-4pm
Deadline has now passed.
Deadline has now passed. Thank you to everyone who has submitted and Congratulations to all Artists who have been selected and we hope to see you at the Meet the Artists private viewing 15th January, 12-3pm.
Important Dates:
4th January: Last day to submit to the open call.
6th January: Notification email will be sent to you.
14th January, 2-3pm: Deliver to the Minories Front Room.
15th January, 12-3pm: Meet the Artists, all welcome
18th January: Last day of Exhibition.
18th January, 3-4pm: Collection of unsold works.
Please try and stick to the delivery and collection times or make arrangements among yourselves.
Any enquiries and offers of help please email denisamansfieldinteriors@gmail.com You will not be asked to take payments but you are welcome to engage with visitors and protect the artworks. Once artworks have sold, artists will be notified and buyers can collect their work at the end of the exhibition.
By entering this exhibition artists are granting permission to Denisa Mansfield to reproduce the work for promotion purposes. The Gallery and us will take great care of the works but cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. All artists are advised to insure their own artworks.