For ten days this September, the Fraser Valley turned into an open-air studio. Easels went up along the river. Painters set up in hayfields and alleyways. Artists worked beside historic buildings and ranch fences while the light changed over Byers Peak.
That’s Plein Air @ Altitude, our biggest event of the year. This was the sixth one. We’re still a little misty-eyed about how it went.
Thirty Artists, Ten Days, One Valley
This year, 30 artists traveled from across the country to paint Grand County. Many had never seen Fraser before. They spent more than a week exploring mountain vistas, rivers, ranches, and the everyday places locals gather. Then they turned what they saw into original paintings.
Visitors often say they’ve seen these views a thousand times. Then a painter shows them something new in a shadow on the water or the way a tunnel cuts through the hillside. That fresh look is the point of the event.
Meet Our 2026 Award Winners
Colorado landscape artist Virginia Unseld judged this year’s exhibition. She also gave a free demonstration called From Plein Air Study to Studio, where she walked artists through her process. Here are the winners.
š„Ā First Place: Mike Wilson, Pool & Lake Mike stood out for his unusual choice of subject and his knack for capturing a single moment in time.
š„ Second Place: Alley Kocinski, Sunshower Alley used expressive brushwork and color to bring rain and movement to the canvas.
š„ Third Place: Charlie Gould, Tunnel 39 Charlie’s brushwork and his striking mix of nature and machinery earned him third.
š Honorable Mentions š
- Cary Kennedy, First Light on Byers Peak
- Kelly Allen, CU at the Lazy River
- Kathleen Reilly, Fraser River
Congratulations to every artist who picked up a brush this year.
A Sold-Out Night
The week ended with our cocktail reception, which sold out. Artists, collectors, and neighbors filled the room to see the finished paintings, watch the awards, and take home a piece of the valley.
For many guests, that was the best part. They could stand in front of a painting, talk to the person who made it, and then buy it. Every purchase supports the artist who painted it. It also supports Fraser Valley Arts and our year-round programming.
As Callie McDermott of Fraser Valley Arts put it: “Plein Air @ Altitude is such a special event because it brings artists into the community from across the nation and invites everyone to see our surroundings through a different lens.”
Why This Event Matters So Much
Plein Air @ Altitude is a major fundraiser for Fraser Valley Arts. It sits alongside the Alpine Art Affair, the Fraser Mountain Mural Festival, our Holiday Markets, and the mini-galleries in local businesses. Together, those events keep a full arts calendar running in the valley. They also move us toward the Fraser Valley Arts Center, our planned permanent arts center in downtown Fraser.
The center will give events like this a permanent home. It will have room for performances, galleries, classes, and community gatherings. Painters won’t have to wait for fall to find a place to show their work and meet their neighbors.
Thank You
An event like this takes a whole valley. We’re grateful to:
- The artists, who traveled here and painted in all kinds of weather.
- The property owners and local businesses, who welcomed painters onto their land and into their spaces.
- Our sponsors, whose support makes the week possible.
- Our volunteers, who keep everything running.
- The collectors and community members, who showed up and took paintings home.
Join Us in 2027!
Plein Air @ Altitude will return in 2027. If you’re an artist who wants to paint with us, a business that wants to sponsor, or someone who wants to help, we’d love to hear from you. Bookmark fraservalleyarts.org and come back often to learn about future events, artist opportunities, and ways to support Fraser Valley Arts.
Until then, take a walk along the river and look around. A painter might be seeing something there that you’ve never noticed.
Check out the Gallery!
