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Dedicated to promoting the traditions of plein-air painting and fostering artistic growth.

For over 20 years, SOCALPAPA has inspired new and experienced artists to share knowledge and develop their work in a friendly and supportive environment, and encouraged respect for the environment in which we paint and thrive.

SOCALPAPA is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation registered in the state of California.

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Call for Artists


Kennedy Contemporary Gallery in Newport Beach, CA is proud to present this unique “paint-and-exhibit” opportunity for SOCALPAPA MEMBERS.

New Impressions of Orange County gives artists 9 days to create and submit work in any media and style that highlights the beauty of Orange County’s LAND, SEA, or URBAN spaces. Not restricted to plein air, all artworks must be completed between May 10 and 18. From submitted work, a juried selection of approximately 30 paintings will be exhibited at Kennedy Contemporary. 

Click here for more information

Save the dates Cambria Paint Away

April 7-11, 2025

 

Thank you once again for your interest in the Cambria trip. It has always been a fun location for us, staying and painting on California’s beautiful central coast.

Painting locations for the five days will include Ragged Point north of Cambria to Morro Bay in the south. Subjects include light houses, barns, farms, coastlines, boat docks, nocturnes, old buildings, wineries and plenty of green countryside. A side trip to view and paint the wildflowers near the town of Creston will also be an option.

 

Click here for more information


Cambria Beach
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This summer is just around the corner!

And with it comes the

2025 Back Bay Plein Air Festival

July 12-20, 2025

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SO GET READY!

This is our annual and always popular Back Bay Art Show and Festival

Registration opens April 1, 2025 for the Juried Show / Weekend Show & Sale.


Be sure to put these dates on your calendar:


April 1 - May 31: Enter the Back Bay Show and the Juried Show.

July 12: 1) Quick Draw at Muth Interpretive Center; 2) Juried Show BEGINS.

July 18: Juried Show CLOSES with the Reception at Muth.

July 19 - 20: Art Display Show & Sale on the deck of Muth Interpretive Center.


For detailed information and to register go to the show page



 2025 Back Bay Festival

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Paint the Gardens at “Open Garden Day” Garden Tour

Share the joy of painting en plein air during the annual “Open Garden Day” in Santa Ana


SOCALPAPA artists are invited to join the fun at the annual Open Garden Day garden tour and festival in the picturesque neighborhoods of West Floral and Fisher Parks (Santa Ana) on May 10, 2025.


Click here for more information


Register for 8:30am to 12:30pm 


Register for 12:00pm to 4pm


"OMNIVISION: Art Across Boundaries"


Scapes

First Place - Judith Nentwig, Big Bend Trail, oil

Second - Fletcher Dice, Casa Romantica, watercolor

Third Place - Mark Jacobucci, Desert Dawn, oil

Honorable Mention - Jim Ellsberry, White Cliffs of Newport Back Bay,Oil and Mixed Media


Portrait and Figurative

First Place - Karen Neal, No Necking, Oil on Linen

Second Place - Marie Stone, Besties, Oil

Third Place - Tashia Peterman, Flower Maiden, Mixed Media

Honorable Mention - Nadalena Radis-Cobbs, Butterfly Secrets, Mix Media


Floral and Still Life

First Place - Jeff Preston, Orange Waffle, Oil

Second Place - Roger Gordon, Red Tulips, Oil on Canvas 

Third Place - Carol Peckham Taylor, Poppies Out My Window, Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper

Honorable Mention - Diane Ohnemus, It’s About the Apple, Oil


Abstract

First Place - Jim Ellsberry, Beneath the Surface, Mixed Media

Second Place - Ruth Lundring, Summer Memories, Oil

Third Place - Steve Sandborg, San Blas Colors 2, Oil on Canvas,

Honorable Mention - Ruth Landring, Winter Fun, Oil


Hortense Miller Garden, Laguna Beach, CA


The Hortense Miller Garden in Laguna Beach has invited SOCALPAPA members to paint at this beautiful garden location where - in the 1950's - Hortense and Oscar Miller built their Mid-Century Modern home among 2-1/2 acres on the upper slopes of Boat Canyon in Laguna Beach.


REGISTER to paint by emailing DIANE LANNON at diane.lannon@gmail.com                                Click here for info              

We Need Your Help!


For over a decade now The Back Bay Festival has been one of SOCALPAPA's premiere events! It's one of the most anticipated "art show and sales" opportunities in Southern California. 

The organizing committee is planning the 2025 summer show right now and needs your help. We need TWO MORE volunteers to help with planning and organizing. This is a great way for you to support the club, and meet new artist members, and really contribute to this great SOCALPAPA event!

Please contact Randi Moran for more information.  Randi.Moran1@gmail.com

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Paint Outs



Featured Artists

Muth Center



Discover the SOCALPAPA Meetup Group, your gateway to vibrant plein-air painting in Southern California. Join us for weekly paint outs, inspiring Zoom meetings, exhibitions, and community engagement. Let your artistic journey flourish with SOCALPAPA!


Join our Meetup!

SOCALPAPA is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation registered in the state of California.



4790 Irvine Blvd Suite 105-371
Irvine, CA 92620
United States of America