A Century of Inspiration · A New Chapter in 2027
Preserving Catalina's Plein Air Legacy
For more than a century, artists have traveled to Catalina Island to paint its dramatic coastline, changing light, historic architecture and timeless natural beauty. We are working to carry that tradition forward through a new community-centered plein air festival planned for November 2027.
Art. History. Conservation. Community.
You're Invited
Community Interest Meeting
Catalina Plein Air Art Festival Revival 2027. Free and open to all — come learn about the vision and how to get involved.
- Date
- September 22, 2026
- Time
- 6:00 – 7:30 PM
- Where
- Catalina Island Museum — Education Room
RSVP to ensure your space and let us know your interest. All welcome!
What we'll cover
- Our vision and mission to revive the historic plein air art festival
- Efforts to create the festival's non-profit, sponsorships and schedule
- Artist youth mentorship — Avalon HS students paired with professional painters
- A one-week invitational: 25 local and professional painters
- An on-island show & sale benefiting local business, education, arts and culture
- Free artist panels and naturalist talks
The Story
A Century of Painting Catalina
Beginning in the late 1880s, Catalina Island attracted celebrated California Impressionists, including Granville Redmond, William Wendt and Edgar Payne. The island became a favorite subject during the movement's golden age and continued to inspire generations of painters, collectors and visitors.
Discover Catalina's Artistic HistoryThe Gap Today
A Tradition Worth Continuing
Catalina has been home to several important island art traditions, including the Catalina Art Association Festival of Art, the juried Catalina Show founded by Denise Burns, and the Catalina Island Conservancy's Wild Side Art Show.
With the conclusion of the Catalina Show and the Wild Side Art Show, Catalina currently has no dedicated plein air festival. The proposed November 2027 festival is an opportunity to preserve this history while creating something meaningful for the island's future.
Festival 2027
A New Catalina Tradition
A proposed four-day November festival inspired by successful plein air events, while maintaining a strong Catalina identity and local community focus.
Live Paint-Outs
Artists working en plein air across Avalon and approved island locations throughout the festival.
Quick Draw Competition
A timed public painting challenge with wet-paint judging and an energetic island crowd.
Artist Talks & Demonstrations
Learn technique and history directly from participating painters and special guests.
Collector & Artist Cocktail Mingle
An evening meet-and-greet cocktail event and preview where collectors and artists connect over new island work.
The festival will include local artist participation, community programming, island conservation, a local restaurant dinner reception and opportunities for visitors and youth to meet participating artists at talks and panels.
The Festival Vision
Four Days of Art, Island Beauty and Community
Estimated Dates
November 15 – 20, 2027
Festival Show and Sale on Saturday, November 20th. These dates are preliminary estimates and will be confirmed as planning progresses.
Day One
Welcome to Catalina
- Artist check-in
- Opening orientation
- Community welcome reception
- Historic Catalina art presentation
- Sunset paint-out
Day Two
Painting the Island
- Artist paint-outs throughout Avalon and approved island locations
- Public painting demonstrations
- Youth invited to artist talks and panels
- Artist talk
- Local restaurant dinner reception and cocktail mingle
Day Three
Quick Draw & Collector Mingle
- Timed public Quick Draw competition
- Wet-paint judging
- Collector and artist meet-and-greet cocktail event
- Preview of festival work
- Ticketed reception
Day Four
Exhibition & Awards
- Final exhibition
- Awards presentation
- Public art sale
- Community celebration
- Closing remarks and announcement of the following year
Festival components
- Juried artist participation
- Local artist category
- Emerging artist category
- Youth invitations to artist talks and panels
- Public demonstrations
- Collector programming
- Historic art presentations
- Art sales
- Volunteer opportunities
- Community partnerships
Founder
Founder Kymberlee Stanley
The painter leading the effort to revive Catalina's plein air legacy and build a community-centered festival for 2027.
Kymberlee Stanley
Painter · Nashville & Catalina Island
Kymberlee Stanley is a plein air and studio painter whose luminous, impressionist canvases capture Catalina's harbor light, historic architecture and coastal life. Drawn to the island's harbors, hillsides and everyday moments, she is leading the effort to revive Catalina's plein air legacy and build a festival rooted in community.
- Featured Work
- “Casino Overlook”
- Style
- California Impressionism
Community Impact
Created for Catalina
The project is intended to generate cultural, educational and economic benefits for the island and its community.
Supporting local artists
Creating paid opportunities and visibility for island and regional painters.
Shoulder-season visitors
Bringing thoughtful cultural tourism to Catalina during quieter months.
Inspiring island youth
Inviting island students to artist talks and panels on plein air painting and art history.
Supporting island businesses
Partnering with restaurants, hotels and shops, including a local restaurant dinner reception.
Preserving art history
Documenting and celebrating Catalina’s century of painting.
Appreciating nature
Encouraging stewardship of the island’s coastline and wild interior.
Coming December 2027
Follow the Journey to 2027
The Catalina Plein Air Festival is currently applying for 501(c)(3) status. Stay tuned for opportunities to become a founding sponsor or donor coming December 2027.
Join our mailing list for current updates and to join this local effort to encore Catalina's distinguished plein air legacy festival.