Artists were invited to participate in the 2026 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show by creating an original plein air painting or drawing of any location within the Schaumburg, IL city limits. While there's no shortage of great locations to inspire your work, we created a map with a few notable locations to get artists started.

Applications closed on April 19, 2026

Entry fee is $40 (non-refundable)

Work were completed between April 24- May 8, 2026

Submitted works will be exhibited and for sale in the Herb Aigner Gallery inside the Al Larson Cultural Center May 12 - June 21, and will coincide with the 37^th annual Prairie Arts Festival, which will be held Memorial Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday May 23-24) on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Campus, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL 60193

            

Additionally, the Village of Schaumburg is celebrating 70 years since its incorporation on March 7, 1956. Guided by the motto Progress Through Thoughtful Planning, Schaumburg has grown from a small farming community into a vibrant village where families, businesses, and culture thrive together. The Rediscover Schaumburg: DIY Tour includes 10 locations that showcase Schaumburg’s rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant community today. 

Thanks to BLICK art materials located at 500 E. Golf Road in Schaumburg, where staff members stamp and authenticate the artist’s canvas/board/paper/panel and supplies may be purchased.

2026 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show Judge: Bob Holmes
Bob Holmes is a retired Middle School Art teacher having taught 34 years for the Geneva, Illinois school district. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa in Art Education, a Master of Science degree in Art Education and a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in Painting both from Northern Illinois University. Bob has participated in Painting Workshops with Tom Lynch, Tony Couch, Tony van Hasselt, Andy Evansen, and Phil Starke. Since his retirement he has competed in various Art Fairs and Plein Air Events winning a number of awards. In addition, Bob has Judged several Art Fairs and competitions. He has taught workshops in Dekalb, Morris, Ottawa, and Wheaton.

For more information, contact Roxane Benvenuti or call 847-923-3605. 

---

2026 AWARD WINNERS

First Place

Judge’s Notes: A wonderfully painted moody scene. The use of values is spot on, and a sense of depth is created through subtle shifts of value and texture. Variety and repetition among the standing group of trees hold the eye within the painting. Although it is a small painting, its structure holds together from across the room.

Second Place

Slava Batov, Oil on Canvas, When the Water Remembered Spring

Judge’s Notes: A beautifully painted Spring scene that perfectly captures the feeling of a sunny day along a lake. The canvas is divided into 5 large simple shapes that lead the eye into the scene. The complementary color scheme reinforces the paintings’ simplicity. Variety in size and spacing of shadows not only keeps us involved in the painting but they also help to direct the eye through the painting. Variety in the trees also creates movement into and around the painting.

Third Place

Anna Cherkashina, Oil, Peaceful Moment

Judge’s Notes: An aptly named painting that captures a moment of sunrise/sunset over a pond. Large simple varied shapes help to establish the painting’s feeling of a quiet moment.  The offset placement of the sun and its reflection create an asymmetrical composition which adds to the painting not feeling static but rather dynamic in the slow movement of the sun. A simple color palette applied with confident brushstrokes adds to the paintings serenely fleeting moment.

Honorable Mention

Jay Johnson, Oil, Footbridge at Merkle Pond

Judge’s Notes: This painting has the feeling of a somewhat quiet moment on an overcast day. I can hear the buzzing of insects and croaking of frogs in the air. The simple color palette and subtle shifts of value lend itself to the overall mood of the painting. The composition has been well developed using asymmetry to hold our interest. Depth of field is created with varying values, defined hard and soft edges, and greyed greens. Overall, a cohesive and well-structured painting that employs a variety of tools to create this wonderfully serene movement.

Honorable Mention

Malina Kumari, Watercolor Paper & Acrylic Color, Quiet Geometry 

Judge’s Notes: A wonderfully unique approach to the Plein air experience. The structures are easily identifiable from the area in which they have been taken. While the main structure has been placed symmetrically the artist makes sure to break up the rest of the composition asymmetrically. Tight details in some areas are contrasted with large areas of open or semi open areas. A variety of lines is contrasted with repeated shapes. Neither of which feels overdone. The artists’ approach creates an illustrative and pleasing overall effect.

Honorable Mention

Suzanne Lattanzio, Oil, Early Spring at Volkening Heritage Farm 

Judge’s Notes: The artist has created a wonderfully unique view of this scene. The rising walkway pulls us into the painting as does the fence lines to a nicely rendered structure. Pulling us in even further is the sunlit grouping of trees beyond the barn. The composition is set up asymmetrically with the offset path and barn placement. The color palette is a simple but effective complementary red and green color scheme making use of red in the focal area of the painting. Effective use of value and color create the feeling of a sunny day, A perfect day for a walk.

People’s Choice Award