For more than two decades, the Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival has celebrated the unique beauty of the Back Bay while supporting artists, inspiring the community, and encouraging stewardship of this remarkable natural treasure. This year’s event continued that tradition with exceptional artwork, enthusiastic collectors, and a wonderful spirit of camaraderie among artists and volunteers.
The festival kicked off with the Quick Draw event on July 11, attended by 41 artists and judged by the foundational inspiration for SOCALPAPA himself, artist Jeff Horn.
"Back Bay Plein Art Festival underway this week in Newport Beach" by Susan Hoffman was published in the Daily Pilot on July 15, 2026, featuring interviews with SOCALPAPA Members as they painted during the QuickDraw. We are providing this link but apologize in advance that you may have to have an LA Times subscription to read the article.
Through the week, the Newport Bay Conservancy welcomed Sandra Morrisson, Mike Majors, Amy Jackson and BJ Morrison McKay to teach Adults and Childrens classes.
Friday evening, at our Artists' Soiree on the Bay, we were honored to welcome John Cosby, internationally acclaimed and collected artist, as our Juried Show Judge, along with Randy Higbee, who presented his own special awards, and Brian Tsu, Board Member of NBC (Newport Bay Conservancy) who presented the Best of OC Parks and the Robinson Awards. Special guests included Robyn Grant, Newport Beach Council Member, and a representative from the offices of Senator Tony Strickland, Max Wernher.
For the Weekend Show & Sale, we proudly hosted 44 talented artists and received fantastic feedback from new visitors and returning collectors alike. Despite competing with the FIFA Finals, and unusually hot weather, the event proved to be a tremendous success. Final numbers confirmed 95 original paintings sold, generating over $41,000 in sales.
A special thank you to Heather Cieslak, Operations Director for the Newport Bay Conservancy, SOCALPAPA President Steve Sandborg, Chairpersons Marisha Miller & Kathy Carr, Juried Show Coordinator Randi Moran, Awards Coordinator Dorothy Scott, Grid Partners Jeff Preston & Kevin Davidson, Donations Assistant & Social Media Promoter Diane Snyder, and Quick Draw support from Al Carlson, Lorraine Dawson, Fletcher Dice, and Pam Steinberg.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our participating artists, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and everyone who attended and supported the festival. Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment that continue to make this cherished community event better year after year!
Please see below for a list of our celebrated winners:
Winners of the QuickDraw
1st place: Erich Neubert “Grey Morning on the Bay”
2nd place: Andrew Cortez “The Painters”
3rd place: Chul Shim “Back Bay in July”
Best in Category, Judges Award for Bravery: Tuyen Chau “Kayak Practice”
Tuyen won Jeff Horn's "Award for Bravery" as he drove to another location of the Back Bay and took on a very complicated scene, crafting it successfully in a minimal color palette.
Winners for the Best of OC Parks and the Back Bay
1st place: Chul Shim "Back Bay"
2nd place: Toni Danchik "This is the Way - Walk in it"
3rd place: Melissa Annis "North Star Beach"
Honorable Mention: Judith Nentwig "Hike of the Day"
Best Sunrise/Sunset: Sung Su "Morning at the Bluff"
Winner's Circle: Ronald Reekers "Path Walk Santiago Park"
Higbee Honorable Mentions:
Kevin Davidson "Morning Cliffs - Lower Back Bay"
Roberta Denny "Back Bay Beauty"
Mike Major "Bay Watch"
Denise Busony "Eucalyptus by the Back Bay"
Toni Danchik "Misty Morning Back Bay"
Robinson Award (Best of the Back Bay): Mike Major "Baywatch"
Best of OC Parks Award: Al Carlson "Entry to Irvine Regional Park"