20th Anniversary Plein Air Invitational: March 2 - April 26, 2026

The 20th Annual Plein Air Invitational brought another outstanding exhibition of plein air paintings focusing on the unique beauty and environmental significance of the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Borrego Valley. The exhibition is a rich diversity of plein air paintings by a select group of 16 artists working in oils, watercolor. and pastels, each producing work for the show during the week of March 2-6. The awards and reception were held on Saturday, March 7, 3:00-5:00. The exhibition will be up through April 26, 2026. The Invitational was curated by Kay Levie. The 2023 Juror of Awards was artist Natasha Isenhour from New Mexico. Jeanne Plekon served as Quick Draw Juror. 

First place winner of the 20th Annual Plein Air Invitational 2026
"Lesson Number One" by Geoffrey Allen

 

 

 

Second Place: “Old Borrego” 

by Jim McVicker 

 

 

 

 

Third Place: “Flow/Coyote Creek” 

by Margaret Larlham 

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples’ Choice: “Finally Cooling Off” 

by Jason Li

 
 

Honorable Mentions

“Anza-Borrego Afternoon” by Carolyn Lord

“Borrego Badlands” by Lynn Mehta

“Fonts Point Wash” by Stock Schlueter

“Blue Shadows” by Paul Kratter

Shannon O’Dunn Excellence in Pastel Award: “Early Morning in Coyote Creek” by Marcia Ballowe

Quick Draw: “Legacy View” by Debra Huse 

 

 
 
 
 

Artists’ Choice: Paul Kratter

 
 

Thank You to the 2026 Participating Artists

 

Geoffrey Allen
Marcia Ballowe
Mark Fehlman
Debra Huse
Peggy Immel
Chuck Kovacic
Paul Kratter
Margaret Larlham
Jason Li
Carolyn Lord
Jim McVicker
Lynn Mehta
Stock Schlueter
Jeff Sewell
Lisa Skelly
Toni Williams

……