PLEIN AIR HUDSON
SEASONS Gallery is thrilled to again host PLEIN AIR HUDSON, an eagerly-anticipated part of the summer art scene in Hudson.
Each year, SEASONS Gallery invites approx. twenty accomplished local and regional artists to Hudson to capture the beauty of our community through paintings done en plein air – a French expression which translates to “in open air.” Artists work with the changing details of weather and light as they capture scenes in and around Hudson and the St. Croix River throughout the summer.
The plein air artists’ paintings are on exhibit at SEASONS Gallery throughout July and August. A painting competition takes place on a weekend in August as the artists “Paint the Town” to complete their final paintings for judging. Finally, a lively awards reception is held in August with judging and final winners announced.
Mark your calendars — this is an annual event not to be missed!
2025 Plein Air Hudson winning painting “Saturday Night Live” – artist Naomi Tiry Salgado
2026 PLEIN AIR HUDSON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Exhibit at SEASONS Gallery
July 10 – August 30
Kick-off to Plein Air Hudson at SEASONS Gallery
Friday, July 10, demonstrations 10am – 6pm
Paint the Town Weekend
August 8 & 9
“Paint the Neighborhood” Quick Paint Live Painting Event
Saturday, August 8 at Lakefront Park Toll Road, 4 – 6pm
Awards Reception at SEASONS Gallery
Monday, August 10, 6 – 8pm
2026 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOPS
Two wonderful Plein Air painting workshop opportunities: “Your Underpaints are Showing” and “Plein Air on the Pier,” taught by Naomi Tiry Salgado, Plein Air Hudson’s 2026 judge and Best of Show winner for Plein Air Hudson 2025 and 2022.
YOUR UNDERPAINTS ARE SHOWING
Learn how to make the most of your underpainting layer — it’s an entire layer of your painting that you can use to your creative advantage! Because the underpainting is typically covered up, what happens in this layer adds maturity and sparkle to a painting in a subtle way. We will discuss many different strategies for making the most of that initial layer of paint, so that you achieve your goal for your painting in the most creative way possible. The morning will be a learning conversation with demonstrations and a handout to guide the discussion. The afternoon will be hands-on experimentation — time to explore the concepts learned in the morning. If you want to experiment on your own time, a morning-only option is available.
Bring everything you need to stay happy, healthy and hydrated (chair, sunscreen, bugspray, water, etc.). If you are staying for the afternoon, bring your own lunch and painting gear. See attached supply list — the more interesting pigments, the better! Prior painting experience recommended.
When: Friday, June 26th
Where: We will be meeting in the courtyard behind Seasons Gallery
Cost: 9am-4pm, $150 (instruction & exploration)
; or 9am-noon, $75 (instruction only)
PLEIN AIR ON THE PIER
Plein air paint at one of the St. Croix River’s most picturesque locations — the Hudson pier! There is so much scope for your artistic vision along the Old Toll Road bridge — endless views of the river, beaches, bridges, and sailboats. Workshop includes a handout, instructional demo in the morning, and guidance during the hands-on portion in the afternoon.
Bring your own lunch and everything to keep you healthy and hydrated (chair, sunscreen, bugspray, water, etc.). Bring your own art materials and easel (see attached supply list).
This workshop is good for beginner to advanced skill levels.
When: Saturday, June 27th
Where: We will be meeting under the Hudson arch in Lakefront Park
Cost: 9am-4pm, $150
Registration:
Please call Seasons Gallery at 715-381-2906 or stop by 401 2nd Street, Hudson, WI to register. Payment required at time of registration, cash or credit accepted. Registration closes June 19th.
Supply List (list will be emailed prior to class):
Easel or method to hold canvas
Stool/chair—you will appreciate this during the morning demo. You can also use it while painting, if standing while painting is difficult. Just make sure it’s the right height for your easel.
Palette or place to mix paint
Brushes – You don’t need too many (4-5), but it’s nice to have some options for size, shape, and flexibility of the bristles
Palette knife
A viewfinder and value finder (optional)
An apron or paint shirt
Sketchbook and writing utensil
Canvases or canvas panels - good sizes for a plein air workshop would be: 8x10, 9x12 or 11x14
Paper towel roll
Plastic grocery bag or some place to throw dirty, paint-filled paper towels
Brush cleaner in a leak-proof container – odorless mineral spirits such as Gamsol or Turpenoid
Paint: oil paint tends to be the easiest to use outdoors because you can paint in nearly every weather condition. Paint can be expensive, so bring what you have and we’ll make it work, as long as you have something reddish, yellowish, blue-ish, and white.
2025 PLEIN AIR HUDSON WINNERS:
Our AWARDS RECEPTION was held on Monday, August 11, where this year’s judge, Dan Mondloch, chose winners for the event. What a difficult job! The entries were spectacular.
BEST IN SHOW:
Naomi Tiry Salgado - “Saturday Night Live”
SECOND PLACE:
Becky Jokela - “Setting Sun”
THIRD PLACE:
Jeff Steiner - “2nd Street Shops”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE:
Diane Foster - “Thistles”
HONORABLE MENTION
Nathan Hager - “Kinnickinnic Pond”
Noelle Dahlen - “Glimpse of the St. Croix River”
Diane Foster - “Thistles”
Jack Dant - “A Cut Through”
Karen Knutson - “Bonding Time”
Stephen Wysocki - “Sundown on Toll Road”
A LOOK BACK AT THE 2024 PLEIN AIR HUDSON AWARD CEREMONY
Best in Show: Hanna Heyer - “Gathering Dusk on the Old Toll Road”
Second Place: Marc Anderson - “To Everything Churn, Churn, Churn”
Third Place: Stephen Wysocki - “Willow River Forest”
People’s Choice: Jeanette Richards - “The Bakery”
2024 HONORABLE MENTION
