Since the days of the impressionists, artists have enjoyed the experience of painting outdoors. It is one of the true joys of being a painter.
Not only are we at one with nature, but there is also the camaraderie when two or more paint on location.
Plein Air Down Under is Australia’s longest running and largest outdoor painting festival and features awards and prizes, feature artists, youth involvement, demonstrations and two exhibitions of plein air paintings.
Plein Air Down Under presents a week of outdoor and evening paint-outs, over $12,000 in awards and prizes, workshops, youth involvement and two art exhibitions. Internationally renowned Feature Artists Michele Usibelli (USA), Aaron Schuerr (USA) and Leon Holmes (Aus) will run Masterclasses, paint and demonstrate throughout the festival.
Over 200 artists will be painting throughout Mandurah’s town centre, cultural precinct, and the historic town of Pinjarra. When the artists aren’t on site painting, the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre serves as the festival hub, offering artists and spectators the opportunity to watch demonstrations, and enjoy the festivities.
Highlights of the 2025 festival will include:
- Workshops and Masterclasses
- Painting demonstrations
- Free have-a-go art activities for all ages
- Spirit of the Landscape Art Exhibition
- Artist registration open to professional, non-professional and youth artists
- Over $12,000 in awards and prizes NOW $13,000!
- Day and evening paint-outs
- A two-hour Quick Draw painting competition
- Opportunities to exhibit, sell and buy original artwork.
Gallery
☕🎨 Check this out!![]()
Not only does Trent from Vincent the Van serve exceptional coffee, but his beautifully transformed 1960’s caravan doubles as a mobile bar and coffee trailer.![]()
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A potential painting subject? We’ll leave that up to you… 👩🎨👨🎨![]()
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But wait, there’s more! ✨![]()
Gemma from The Crafted Pantry will be serving up breakfast goodies to fuel you for the Quick Draw.![]()
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🍳🥐 Breakfast & coffee from 8am![]()
✅ Order your breakfast and coffee![]()
✅ Get your Quick Draw painting surfaces stamped![]()
✅ By the time you’re ready – so is your order!![]()
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Take a moment to enjoy breakfast with your new arty friends, then it’s brushes at the ready for the Quick Draw!![]()
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Vincent the van The Crafted Pantry Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
🎶 Monday is a HUGE day at Plein Air Down Under – and we’ve got live music to match the creative vibes! If you are not painting in the Two Hour Quick Draw, we have something for you...![]()
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✨ Shannon White Music will be performing from 9.30am – 12.30pm.![]()
So grab a Vincent the van coffee, something delicious to eat, and settle in to enjoy the sounds while soaking up the festival atmosphere and watching the artists at work.![]()
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Mandjar Square, outside the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre ![]()
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Shannon white music
☕🎨 Start your Monday with art, coffee and music!![]()
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From 8am, grab a @vincentthevan famous coffee along with breakfast and morning tea options from @thecraftedpantry ![]()
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Then from 10am – 12 noon, watch the excitement of the Two Hour Quick Draw Competition as artists set up their easels and paint en plein air around:![]()
✨ Mandurah Boardwalk![]()
✨ Mandjar Square (outside MPAC)![]()
✨ Stingray Point![]()
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🎶 While the artists paint, enjoy your coffee, brunch, and the sounds of Shannon White Music.![]()
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At 12.30pm, view the freshly completed Quick Draw artworks – and if you’re quick enough, you could even purchase an original painting straight off the easel!![]()
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Finally, at 1.15pm, we head inside for the Main Awards Presentation and the opening of the Festival Exhibition, showcasing over 200 artworks created on location during Plein Air Down Under.![]()
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📅 Monday 29 September![]()
📍 In and around Mandurah Performing Arts Centre![]()
🖌️ Keep the day free!![]()
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👉 Want to join in? There’s still time to register for the Quick Draw Competition here: www.trybooking.com/DCMXC
🎨✨ We’ve got just one or two things happening on Sunday 28 September in Pinjarra… okay, maybe more than a few!![]()
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From 10am onwards – FREE fun for the whole family:![]()
🌿 Artists painting along the Pinjarra Heritage Trail & CBD![]()
🎨 Have-a-Go Watercolour (grown-ups) with Xanthe Turner![]()
👧 Children’s Art Activities![]()
🍎 Peel Growers Market![]()
🎶 Live music with Best Friends Musical Duo![]()
🖼️ Nu.Arts Collective at Liveringa Gallery![]()
🏛️ Roger May Machinery Museum![]()
🧵 Pinjarra Patchwork & Quilters![]()
📚 Murray Districts Historical Society![]()
🛍️ Pinjarra Arts Hub Shop![]()
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✨ Feature Artist Painting Demonstrations (check exact locations at the Bendigo Bank Marquee):![]()
11am – Aaron Schuerr (USA) – Pastel![]()
1pm – Michele Usibelli (USA) – Gouache![]()
2.30pm – Leon Holmes (AUS) – Oil![]()
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Bring your family, grab a coffee, and enjoy a vibrant day of art, markets, music, and heritage in the heart of Pinjarra. 💛
🌟 Feature Artist Aaron Schuerr (USA) has kept us entertained, inspired, and on our toes – and we’ve loved every moment!![]()
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Two Masterclasses ✔️![]()
24 participants ✔️![]()
Plenty of new skills to put into practice ✔️![]()
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But Aaron isn’t done yet… 🎨![]()
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✨ Don’t miss his FREE pastel plein air demo – a chance to learn from one of the world’s best plein air pastel painters:![]()
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📅 Sunday 28 September![]()
🕚 11am![]()
📍 Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra![]()
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@aaronschuerr @edenvaleheritageprecinct @shireofmurray @thepeelproducemarket
Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
