| What's Inside:
- This week's Paint Out: Mentor Day! Friday April 10th 9:00 am Newport Beach Back Bay, Big Canyon Lot
- 2-Day Plein Air Painting Workshop with Scott W. Prior April 11-12th Register by April 9th @6am!
- Cambria Trip - Photos requested
- The Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival Volunteers Needed - Registration starts April 10th!
- Michael Obermeyer Painting Demo, Friday May 1st at Crystal Cove -New!
- Paint the Gardens - “OPEN GARDEN DAY" May 9th NEW Opportunity!
- Hortense Miller Garden Paint Dates
- Save the Dates for April 2026 Paint Outs
***
- Earth Day at The Muth Center - April 18th Plein Air Painter Volunteers Needed!
- Omnivision Member's Show- Pick up your Artwork Saturday April 11th 9am-NOON
- SOCALPAPA Referral List
- Order Your SOCALPAPA Name Badge & Name Plate!
- Muth Display Gallery & Art Bin Reminders
- Download the SOCALPAPA APP
- Online Critique Group every Thursday on Zoom 10-11am
Shown: Club Members painting in Harmony, CA during the Cambria paint out
| | | 2-DAY PLEIN AIR PAINTING WORKSHOP with SCOTT W. PRIOR
THIS WEEKEND! April 11-12th, 2026
**Register by Thursday, April 9th @ 6am!**
FOR ALL MEDIA - Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel
Award winning Instructor/Educator: Scott W. Prior
(with Artist's Assistant Francis Difronzo)
ENROLLMENT: Limited to 15 Students
COST: $250 per person |
This 2-day painting workshop is intended for painters of all skill levels, working in a medium of the student's choice: oil, acrylic, watercolor, or pastel. It includes an in-depth painting demonstration by Mr. Prior, followed by group critiques and extensive one-on-one instruction between each student and instructor.
Scott W. Prior holds a BFA from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco and is a Signature Member of the California Art Club and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. He has exhibited nationally, including shows at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, Frederick Weisman Museum of Art, Academy Art Museum in Easton MD, Autry Museum of the West, Bowers Museum, Langson Orange County Museum of Art in Irvine, and the Hilbert Museum.
|  | Paint the Gardens - “OPEN GARDEN DAY"
May 9, 2026
Join us and share the joy of plein air painting at the annual Open Garden Day community tour in Santa Ana. Each participating SOCALPAPA artist is assigned a beautiful home and garden which are part of this festive day-long celebration, attracting nearly 1000 visitors during the day.
REGISTRATION is Open MARCH 18 to APRIL 17th
Registration is $15 for SOCALPAPA Members (no refunds)
There will be a follow-up show hosted by Art Supply Warehouse at their Catalyst Gallery space Saturday, May 23rd from 4-7pm.
EVENT CONTACT:
Denise Busony
denisebusony@gmail.com
|  | The Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival Is Back!
Summer is just around the corner, and so is our most anticipated event of the year,
The Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival, a week-long event with multiple events celebrating
the natural beauty of Orange County.
Hosted by SOCALPAPA and Newport Beach Conservancy,
it is held at the beautiful Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach, CA.
This wonderful outdoor venue, surrounded with the lush environment of the Back Bay, will provide an immersive opportunity
to make new contacts and personally connect with new collectors to sell your original artwork. Plein Air style artworks
featuring the scenery of Back Bay, Orange County Parks, Beaches, and Wilderness are welcome.
The Festival begins on Saturday July 11 with the Quick Draw (open to all artists) and
the Juried Show (open to all artists who register for the Weekend Show and Sale).
Honors will be awarded at the Artists Reception on Friday July 17, and
the Festival will culminate with the Weekend Show & Sale on July 18 and 19.
Registration for the Back Bay Show is $75 and runs from April 10th- May 31st
Opportunities are limited to 50 participants so please register early.
More information to follow!
___________________________________________________
Call For Volunteers
SOCALPAPA Needs YOU!
Kathleen Carr and Marisha Miller are co-chairing this year's event
and are in need of your talent to fill the available leadership positions.
If you have skills in the following areas we are so excited to work with you!
1. Contacting Sponsors
2. Art Classes (4 instructors needed)
3. Hospitality for Food & Membership Table
4. Arrange Judges
5. Assist with the Quick Draw
6. Assist with the Juried Show
7. Ribbons & Awards Bags
8. Oversee Recipients and Grid Set Up
Please contact our Co-Chairs to volunteer and for more information:
Kathy Carr
kvcarr@sbcglobal.net
Marisha Miller
marishamiller11@gmail.com
|  | Hortense Miller Garden -Paint Dates
There are a limited number of spaces available to SOCALPAPA Members to paint the beautiful gardens in Laguna Beach.
The Hortense Miller Garden has invited SOCALPAPA Members to paint at the historic Mid-Century Modern home built by the Millers in the 1950s.
Dates Below for SOCALPAPA Members to view and paint the garden in yet another season
Additional Dates 9am-12pm
Saturday, April 18
Thursday, May 7
Saturday, May 16
*Please note: There will be No dates in June/July/Aug due to Laguna Art Festivals
Register: Email Diane Lannon at diane.lannon@gmail.com
to reserve a spot and get parking information.
Link here for more information on the beautiful gardens:
|
Post-Cambria Trip Photo Request
Those of you who went to Cambria last week, please send any photos you have of the trip to submit them for the SOCALPAPA Cambria 2026 website Gallery!
Send to our Webmaster, Subject Line "Cambria Photos":
Jim Ellsberry
jim@jimEllsberry.com
| APRIL 2026 PAINT OUT DATE
Friday April 10
9:00 am
Newport Beach Back Bay, Big Canyon Lot
Saturday/Sunday Apr. 11-12
Scott Prior Workshop
9am-4pm both days
Irvine Regional Park
$250 fee - Registration Required
Saturday, April 18
9:00am-12pm
*Mentor Day with Mark Jacobucci*
Laguna Beach Picnic Beach (Divers Cove)
Friday, April 24
9:00 am
El Moro Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Coast
Friday, May 1st
9:00am-12pm
Michael Obermeyer
Painting Demonstration
Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, CA
Parking fee/Optional Shuttle Fee
| |
Friday April 10
9:00 am
Newport Beach Back Bay, Big Canyon Lot
From the 405 Freeway or 73 Tollroad, go South on Jamboree Boulevard a few miles and go Right on San Joaquin Hills Road down the hill to Back Bay Drive, go right 1/4 mile to the parking lot. Paint views of the buffs/cliffs, or back up Big Canyon the other side of the road.
Port-A-Potty in the lot. | | | | Scott W. Prior Workshop
Saturday/Sunday Apr. 11-12
9am-4pm both days
Irvine Regional Park
$250 fee - Registration Required
| | |
Saturday, April 18
9:00am-12pm
*Mentor Day with Mark Jacobucci*
Laguna Beach Picnic Beach (Divers Cove)
Take Highway 133 into Laguna Beach, go Right on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) up the hill and take Myrtle towards the water, park on the metered parking on the street. Look for our Socalpapa flag. Look for our Socalpapa flag. Restrooms near. Mark will be there to mentor as needed, both on the beach and up along the walkway at the top area of the ramp.
Restrooms nearby at top of ramp.
| | |  | | The Tunnel to the Beach under PCH |  |
Friday, April 24
9:00 am
El Moro Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Coast
Going North from Laguna, take Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to the traffic light at the School/Ranger Station. Go up the narrow road, bear right through the gate. $15 State park fee, unless you have a Senior Golden Bear pass, which can be obtained at the ranger station nearby for $20. Park down the hill, and walk through the tunnel. May have to remove shoes if the tunnel has water from high tide recently. Paint views of the Abalone Point cliffs and beach.
Restrooms in the parking lot. | | |
 |
Michael Obermeyer Painting Demonstration
Friday, May 1st
9:00am to 11:00am
Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, CA
Please join us for an opportunity to learn from award-winning California Impressionist, Michael Obermeyer. Michael began his career as an illustrator and used his experience to quickly become comfortable with painting "en plein air." He is a regular feature at the LPAPA Invitational, the Festival of the Arts, and is currently the President of the California Art Club.
For SOCALPAPA members, Michael will be demonstrating his approach to painting "en plein air". While he primarily paints in oil, his technique will be applicable across all mediums.
Parking is available for $15 (by app) in the Los Trancos parking lot (Seniors can purchase a pass Senior Golden Bear Pass for $20). Walk to the beachfront cottages via the tunnel or take the shuttle ($2 each way). Artists are asked to meet near the footbridge between the shuttle drop off and the Beachcomber cottage.
Restrooms Available
| | |  | Earth Day at The Muth Center
Saturday, April 18th
10:00am-4:00pm
SOCALPAPA volunteers needed
We are looking for a few SOCALPAPA painters who wish to sign up for 2 hour plein air painting at the booth, contact Randi if interested!
We will host a booth at the Muth Center and need about 6 volunteers to take two-hour shifts helping children paint small watercolor paintings of birds, animals and flowers. It is a lot of fun and supports Newport Bay Conservancy's, (NBC) efforts to care for the Bay and provide classes for kids.
If you would like to help out, please contact:
Randi Moran
Phone: (714) 504-9767 -or-
email: randi.moran1@gmail |  | | Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries
Show ends April 10, 2026
OPEN Weekdays 8am to 4:30pm (closed on weekends)
Old Orange County Courthouse
211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
An exhibition that provides a unique space for SOCALPAPA members to display works that go beyond the limits of genre and media.
In collaboration with Orange County Parks. This show was featured in local print publications and received praise for the wide range of styles and genre as well as quality of member work.
Judge of Awards was artist Mark Fehlman.
Click on the link below to see the artists who were selected for awards in five painting categories.
It is time for our Omnivision show to end and pickup starts this Saturday, April 11th from 9:00 am to Noon at the Historic Orange County Courthouse. The Courthouse is closed for business on Saturday, so parking will not be a problem. Please enter the lower-level door near the parking lot as all other doors will be locked.
If you cannot make it on Saturday, you may also pickup on Monday, April 13th from 9:00 to noon.
** Volunteers are needed to help with pickup for both Saturday and Monday.
Please email Dawn if you are available.
Contact:
Dawn Buckingham dbgfineart@gmail.com | Add your name to the Artist Referral List!
Dear SOCALPAPA Members,
From time to time, our club receives inquiries from event planners and prospective buyers who are looking to commission a plein air painting. These requests typically involve creating a painting of a special location, venue, or meaningful landscape.
We would like to compile a list of members who are interested in being considered for future commissioned work. When requests come in, we will share the list of interested artists with the inquiring party so they may contact you directly.
If you would like to be included on this referral list, please send an email to our Membership Director, Kim Gordon, with "Referral List" in the subject Line with the following:
- Your name (as you’d like it shared)
- Preferred contact information (email and/or phone)
- Website and/or social media links (if applicable)
Please note that inclusion on this list does not guarantee work; it simply allows us to connect interested clients with members who are open to commissions.We look forward to supporting opportunities for our artists and promoting the wonderful work within our Plein Air community.
Kim Gordon
Contact:
|  | Order Your Name Badge and Name Plate!
SOCALPAPA encourages members to wear name badges at all of our events and Paint Outs.
If you are entering the summer Back Bay Event, a name badge and name plate are required. Get ahead and order yours now!
Log in to the SOCALPAPA website, click Artists in the blue banner and look for Member Resources. Go to that page and you will find a button for ordering the badge and name plate. |  | Muth Bin Reminders
Since so many wonderful artists are now contributing to the bin at Muth, we want to remind you of a few guidelines.
1. All work displayed at Muth must be original plein air-style depicting outdoor locations in Orange County.
Animals, plants or people must be shown in a landscape setting.
2. Flat panels only, no foam-core backing or gallery wrap.
3. Mat board backing is suggested to make your work look more professional.
4. Obtain and attach a sales slip for each painting from the green SOCALPAPA notebook at the front desk, and fill out a form to list your work in the green book.
5. Paintings must be in a cellophane envelope.
6. Suggested minimum price: $50 for smaller paintings $75 for larger work.
7. Due to space considerations, we are no longer going to accept prints.
Thanks to you all,
Randi Moran |  | | Get the Club App on your phone!
NEW! Want to stay updated on what's happening, while you're on the go?
Access all the same SOCALPAPA information on your phone, using the Club Express app.
Register for events, check the calendar, renew your membership, and more -- all in an easy-to-use format on your phone.
The Club Express app is available for iPhone and Android users.
iPhone users -> head to the App Store
Android users -> head to the Google Play Store
Click here for instructions -- 3 easy steps -- how to download it and register!
|  | Did you know there are several ways to find out about the paint outs?
• Weekly Bulletin
• MeetUp group online
• Website events calendar
• Facebook & Instagram
ALSO
Occasionally our group gets approached for plein air painter referrals.
If you would like to be included on a roster, please email info@Socalpapa with your name and phone number.
Make sure to put "Referrals List" in the email subject line.
|
 | SOCALPAPA ZOOM
Zoom Group invites you to join us
every Thursday, from 10am -11am
This is a time for members to share their art, get feedback and connect with other artists over the web. All levels are welcome.
If you are not ready to share, join us anyway and get inspired!
Follow link below to join.
The passcode is 229461
Zoom |
|
 | Discover the SOCALPAPA Meetup Group and join our thriving community of plein-air painters in Southern California.
Get the latest updates, find out who is joining (we have 279 members now!) and connect with other artists on events such as our weekly paint outs, paint aways, Zoom meetings, special events and showcases!
If you haven't already joined, head over to the MeetUp website and join the group - it's free!
Your artistic community awaits you.
|
|
| GET SOCIAL!
Tag us in your paint out posts
#socal_papa & @socal_papa
on Instagram!
Post your photos on our FaceBook page!
Connect with and be inspired by our
fantastic group of artists!
|
GET INVOLVED!
The club is still looking for members to volunteer for
different committees and events this year.
There are a variety of different ways you can get involved, both large and small.
Contact Randi Moran if you want to help.
|
|
OUR SPONSORS
We continually wish to thank
our sponsors. Visit their links below and please continue to support their businesses.
Art Supply Warehouse
Blick Art Materials
Da Vinci Paint Co
Dakota Pastel Supples
Frame Xpress Long Beach
Fast Frame Irvine
Irvine Ranch Water District
KingofFrame.com
Paint Like a Pro - Debra Huse
Randy Higbee Gallery
Newport Bay Conservancy
OC Parks
Rosemary & Co Brushes
San Joaquin Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Teri Ludwig Pastels
Tim Smith Real Estate Group / Caldwell Banker Newport Beach
Viviva Colors
Watercolor West |
|
 | SOCALPAPA is a 501c3 organization
(Southern California Plein Air Painters Association)
~Our Mailing Address~
4790 Irvine Blvd, Ste 105-371
Irvine, CA 92620
Contact Us | |