Plein Air – BMFA Members Group

The BMFA Plein Air Group started in 2021 and is now going into its 3rd season! The Plein Air Group is a weekly meet up group for BMFA members at selected locations throughout the South Georgian Bay region. All members, regardless of skill level, are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Plein Air painting group.

Painting locations include spots in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Creemore, Thornbury, Meaford and Eugenia.

The Plein Air Group aims to be flexible to accommodate members. We plan for painter to be out painting 2 days per week (Wednesday and Thursday) and painters are welcome to come to either day or both days. Painters set their own start and finish times and chose their own painting spot at the location. Some painters may choose to stay out all day, while other may go for a two hour time period.

Check out the location schedule for this year:

2024 Plein Air Location Schedule

Tips for a successful Plein Air season:

You have to be a member of BMFA to be part of the plein air group.
We meet on Wednesday and/or Thursday – you can choose which day to come, or come both days.
Start time, end time and lunch break are entirely up to you. Generally, people tend to arrive around 10 AM.
Lunch – depends on location. Some people bring their own lunch, or if we are in town, people may pick up food somewhere. Be warned – sometimes we are in close proximity to some of Ontario’s best butter tarts!
All locations have access to some sort of washroom, and we try to choose locations that do not charge for parking. (The only exception to this is South Bay Field Lavender Farm which has a $5.00 admission fee).
We send a weekly email reminder of the current week’s location. Email [email protected] to get on the email list.
There is no formal instruction, but fellow plein air painters are generous with their time and encouragement. Ask and you will quickly find someone who will happily share their knowledge and insight.
We have a Plein Air exhibit at BMFA (hallway area) running July and August. Intake days are July 19 and 21, and the show starts July 24. We include only artwork based on the plein air locations we have been at from August 2023 to July 2024. We also could use volunteers to assist with the intake days and installing the artwork.