The Heart of America Artists’ Association is bringing it back…our beloved little outdoor painting event which began in 2020, in conjunction with the Homegrown Festival which is October 3rd. The town of Siloam Springs has a big heart for the arts, and plein air artists and enthusiasts alike will enjoy the hospitality and plentiful painting motifs. Not to mention, several of the board members call Siloam Springs home and can’t wait to share it with the plein air community once more!

Registration:

Registration is below and is not required in order to paint, but membership payment and event registration will be due before turn in on Saturday if you want to participate in the show and awards. If you are a current 2026 member all you have to pay is the entry fee. The entry fee is in addition to membership dues, and is $35 for artists, and $20 for students. Enter directly below.

If you’ve completed event registration, and paid the membership dues, the final step is to pay entry fee below:

Important Dates:

September 30, Wednesday: Mentoring Session
Artists of any kind are invited to learn about and practice plein air painting with the Executive Director of our association, Todd A. Williams. This opportunity is free and open to the public 9am-noon at the Twin Springs Park in downtown Siloam Springs.

October 2, Friday: Critique Session
During the day artists will have an opportunity to have Todd A. Williams offer helpful critique on their artwork. Please contact us at info@heartofamericaartists.com to sign up for a time slot.

September 28 – October 3: Painting
Artists are invited to paint anywhere in the downtown area. This year’s event will continue to be on the honor system and will not require stamped canvas/panels/paper. Please be considerate and do not block entrances/trafficways to businesses.

October 3, Saturday: Announcements of Awards, Exhibit and Sale
10am – 11am Submission: Submit one framed or unframed (see note below) plein air painting for judging which begins at 11:30am. Olive and Opal has again graciously offered their beautiful exhibit space at 300 E. Main Street, Siloam Springs. Be sure to thank them!
[Note: All submitted paintings must be ready to hang with picture wire. If your painting is unframed, we ask that you paint it on stretched canvas, with picture wire to hang it.]

1pm Announcements of Top Awards: John Lasater will be our judge this year and will announce the top winners from the Homegrown Festival Music Stage.

2pm Announcements of All Additional Awards: Back at Olive and Opal

2pm – 5pm Public Exhibition and Sale

Commission on sales: The host Olive & Opal and Heart of America Artists Association will keep 30%. 70% goes to the artist.

Artwork must be picked up by 5:30 pm that day, unless you intend to leave it for the After-Show Exhibition Opportunity: Every year we try to provide a chance for you to keep your work exhibited in Siloam Springs. The plein air exhibition venue, Olive and Opal, has offered to let the paintings continue to hang for the rest of 2026, and there will be an open-house reception for that at a date determined later.

Lodging options include hotels, Airbnb and VRBO in the Siloam Springs area.