The Mendocino Art Center (MAC) hosts the seventh annual Mendocino Open Paint Out (MOPO), a plein air festival. The Mendocino Coast, located along a beautiful expanse of the Pacific Ocean in northern California, is a spectacular setting for a plein air festival. Artists claim that the quality of light is unlike anywhere else in the world.

The Mendocino Art Center is welcoming 60 oil, pastel and water media artists from throughout California, as well as visiting from Alaska, Connecticut and Utah, who will be competing for more than $9,000 in cash and prizes.

From the rugged surrounding landscape, to the bay and beaches, to the quaint Victorian architecture and water towers in the town of Mendocino, to the nearby vineyards and wineries, artists are sure to find abundant creative inspiration.

All events art free and open to the public:

• Plein air painting: watch artists paint outdoors all week.

• Daily wet paint sales: new paintings each day in the MAC galleries. More than 400 paintings were created in 2018.

• Featured artists painting exhibition (opens September 3): MOPO co-founder John Hewitt, Karl Dempwolf, Erin Dertner, Patricia Rose Ford, Chuck Kovacic and Dennis Ziemienski.

• Presentation: September 16, 7pm. North Coast Brewing Company’s “Support for Marine Mammal Research and Rescue,” with Joe Seta. Donations requested.

• Featured artist demonstrations: September 17-19, 2pm and 7pm. Donations requested.

• Festive and social evening gatherings at the Mendocino Art Center: Food and drink available for purchase, September 17-19, 5pm to 7pm.

• People’s Choice Party: Friday, September 20, 7pm to 9pm. See all paintings created during the week and vote for your favorite painting. Refreshments available.

• Quick Draw Competition and Sale: Saturday, September 21. Watch the competition, 11am to 1pm (location to be announced) and then vote for YOUR favorite piece at the Quick Draw Sale, 2pm to 4pm.

• Celebratory Reception and Awards Presentation: Saturday, September 21, 4pm to 6pm. Enjoy wine and appetizers and be there for the presentation of 30 awards.
• Your last chance to buy your favorite painting! The gallery will be open 10am-5pm.

Complete schedule

Gallery Hours:


Monday, September 16: 10am-5pm

Tuesday, September 17: 8am-7pm

Wednesday, September 18: 8am-7pm

Thursday, September 19: 8am-7pm

Friday, September 20: 8am-4pm & 7pm-9pm

Saturday, September 21: 10am-7pm

Sunday, September 22: 10am-5pm