Art in Bloom: Plein Air 2026

This summertime plein air event invites more than 150 regional artists to spend a weekend creating original works across the Arboretum’s 66 acres of lush gardens, water features, and sculptural vignettes. Guests are encouraged to explore the grounds and observe artists as they paint, draw, collage, or print in real time—each responding to the dynamic intersection of nature and creativity. 

The event takes place during the exhibition Hunt Slonem at the Arboretum: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies, with sculptures by the renowned neo-expressionist artist placed throughout the garden. While not required, participating artists are welcome to incorporate these sculptures into their compositions as part of their creative response to the setting. 

Selected works from the event will be curated into a public gallery exhibition in August, with a juried prize awarded for Best in Show. 

Dates: July 17-19
Times: 9am-5pm

Application Fee: $35
(no additional fees for participation)

Awards 

• Best in Show (Juried): $500
• Optional Honorable Mentions (2): $250 each 
• Recognition at gallery opening and across promotional materials 

• All participants attending Plein Air Day may submit a completed artwork for jury review between July 17-19 
• 10–12 finalists selected for inclusion in the exhibition which will take place August-September 
• All receive exposure through public event, optional social media spotlights, and reception invitations 
• Artists must create work on-site on July 17-19, responding to the landscape of the Arboretum. 
• Works may be completed or refined off-site before submission. 
• Media may include painting, drawing, mixed media, collage, or portable printmaking. 
• Slonem sculptures may be incorporated but are not required. 
• Artists may not sell prints of works featuring identifiable Slonem sculptures without permission from his studio. 
• Water will be provided and passed around throughout weekend
• All materials must be removed by 5pm each day 
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the gardem this includes our parking lots and includes, smoking of any kind, vaping or e-cigarettes
• All works are to be in keeping with the overall family-oriented theme of the show
• Pets are not allowed on the Dallas Arboretum property and may not be left in vehicles
• All exhibitors are responsible for keeping their area clean during 9am-5pm hours, including clean up at the end of each day. All displays should be neat and clean and tables should be covered on all sides to the floor with a suitable, professional looking cover of flame retardant materials.
• Exhibitors may not display ribbons or awards from other shows
• No overnight camping allowed
• No open flames are permitted
• Electricity is not provided or included. Outlets on trees may not be used by exhibitor. A single generator may be used as long as it is very quiet (53-59 db(A)) and small. If the generator is too loud, it will be ar the Arboretum's discrection to request that the generator be turned off.
• The Dallas Arboretum will not be liable for refunds or any other liabilities wahtsoever for the failure to fulfill this contract due to reasons of the enclosure in which the show is to be produced, being, before, or during the show destroyed by fire or other calamity, or by any act of God, public enemy, strikes, statues, ordinance, or any legal authority, or any cause beyond its control. 
• Insurance, if desired by the exhibitor, must be optained by them at their own cost
• All trash must be removed by 5pm each dday
• Exhibitors found in violation of any "Rules of the Show" may be excluded and have their works removed from the current and/or future shows at the sole discretion of the Dallas Arboretum. Under to circumstance, including negligence, shall the Dallas Arboretum be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages resulting from such action
• The Dallas Arboretum may require removal of work considered to be in violation of these conditions and reserves the right to make final interpretation of all conditions
• If any section, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this licensing application/contract is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a seperate, distinct and independednt provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions. 
• This contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Dallas Arboretum and the Exhibitor and no modification shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties or their representativees.