Planning for the 19th Annual Plein Air Invitational is well underway and will bring 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 will present a rich diversity of plein air paintings by a select group of 16 artists working in oils, watercolor, and pastels, all producing work for the show during the week of March 3-8, 2025. New work will go up daily in the gallery during the week and the gallery will stay open until 7:00 pm Monday through Friday that week. The awards and reception will be held on Saturday, March 8, 3:00-5:00 pm. TheGallery will host the show through April 27, 2025. The Invitational will once again be curated by Kay Levie. 

The Juror of Awards is artist Chuck Kovacic. His paintings investigate a variety of subjects rendered in the plein air style of the post-Impressionists. Chuck is an Honor Court member of the Mid-Valley Art League and in 2017 was named to Signature status in the California Art Club. In 2016 he was the recipient of the CAC’s “William and Julia Bracken Wendt Award.” He is a frequent exhibitor at the CAC’s annual Gold Medal show as well as their Old Mill Gallery in San Marino. Chuck is a Signature member of the California Art Club, a Signature member of the Laguna Plein Air Artists Association, a member of the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society, and an Honor Court member of the Mid Valley Art League.

Jeanne Plekon, of Borrego Springs and Holmes, NY will be our Quick Draw juror. Jeanne is an artist and President of the Borrego Springs Art Guild.