In partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA)
Paint what you see. Indoors or out.
Join the Park Place Mall for a bold twist on a timeless tradition at the Park Place Plein Air Festival—a one-day celebration of live, on-the-spot creativity where SAACA and over 20 local artists transform Park Place Mall into an ever-evolving gallery of real-time art.
Set amidst the striking mix of desert gardens, mountain vistas, architectural elements, and everyday life, artists of all ages and skill levels will take to the shaded courtyards and naturally lit corridors of the mall—painting what they see, as they see it. No photo references. No studio settings. Just the pure, spontaneous energy of plein air painting.
🎨 What to Expect:
Live Painting All Day
Watch more than 20 Tucson artists create original plein air works from scratch—capturing landscapes, people, and moments as they unfold.
Indoor + Outdoor Locations
Wander freely through the mall’s interiors and outdoor spaces, discovering artists interpreting the beauty of shared space in real time.
Community Painting Activation
Everyone’s invited to join in!
There will be a free, drop-in Community Painting Zone near the Park Place Kids Play Area with mini-canvases and art supplies provided.
Free and open to all ages and abilities. Please register for this event.
Professional artists onsite to help guide your mini-masterpiece
Judging + Awards Ceremony (3:00–4:00 PM)
As the afternoon wraps up, a panel of judges will recognize standout works across multiple categories in this juried art competition.
This isn’t art behind glass—it’s art that unfolds around you. Experience the immediacy and vibrancy of plein air painting, connect with artists, and see familiar spaces through new eyes. Whether you're a painter, art lover, or simply curious, the Park Place Plein Air Festival is a joyful, spontaneous, and interactive art experience for the whole community. Register now!