2026 FIRST BRUSH OF SPRING PAINT OUT
IPAPA Winners, l-r: Mark VanderVinne, Jason Bailey, David M. Seward, Pamela Yahl, Dan Woodson, Lon Brauer, Darrell Bryan, Alan Larkin
The First Brush of Spring Plein Air Paint Out in New Harmony began its 27th year on Wednesday, April 22, 2026! Art and spring in New Harmony are a perfect combination, with historical landmarks, labyrinths, rolling hills, blooming peonies, endless landscapes, and Victorian homes as painting subjects!
While the artists are creating their masterpieces, the rest of the community and visitors enjoy the spectator sport of cruising through the streets and river paths in golf carts, by foot, or on bicycles to see what is being painted by who. It is truly a marvelous experience to witness!
The Hoosier Art Salon co-hosts the 4-day event with the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association (IPAPA) with many competitions, art sales, receptions, and exhibits. This year, over 130 artists from across the country – including students from local high schools – came to town to put paint on canvas, creating day and night to enter their pieces into a categorial competition held on Saturday, April 26 at Holy Angel’s lawn for their chance to win Best of Show and cash prizes.
2026 Judge: Kathie Odom, TN
To see a full list of 2025 winners, follow the link below!
Check out the article featured in the Plein Air Magazine about the First Brush of Spring!
Photo by Andy Batt
Best of Show 2025 Field to Finish
“By the Side of the Road”
Alan Larkin
“I think it fully encapsulates the ideas mentioned in my statement, uniqueness of approach, skill, and enhancement of the study.”
– Shawn Krueger, Judge
FIELD TO FINISH exhibit
Each year a “Field to Finish Exhibition” is featured in the Hoosier Art Salon Gallery. Artists bring a completed ‘field study’ from the prior year to the First Brush of Spring to exhibit with a studio ‘finish’ piece inspired by the same subject. Pieces may be in any type of medium. All field studies must be stamped by the Hoosier Art Salon before finishes are produced. The exhibition opened on Wednesday, April 23, kicked off the Paint-Out. The “Field to Finish” exhibit was judged by Shawn Krueger of Grand Rapids, MI and several monetary awards were presented.
2025 Best of Show $500
Alan Larkin “By the Side of the Road”
2025 Honorable Mentions $200 each
Jason Bailey “En Plein Air”
Mary Ann Davis “Posey County View”
Lavinia Hale “Triplet Redbuds”
Virginia Kramer “Indiana Homestead”
Melanie Millis Wissel “Farm Castle”
Photo by Andy Batt
Winners of the Larry Rudolech Quickdraw 2025
Back row, l-r: Susie Byerly, Sandi Cook, Shawn Krueger, David M. Seward, Alan Larkin
Front row, l-r: Jason Bailey, Laura Appleby, Diane Bay, Justin Vining
THE LARRY RUDOLECH QUICK DRAW COMPETITION
A race to see who can produce the most compelling artwork within the short 75-minute period allotted. Larry Rudolech was a much beloved IPAPA member who left us far too soon in 2020. All winners get a “Larry” badge displaying a self-portrait of him. Shawn Krueger judge the competition.
2025 Winners $100 each
Laura Appleby
Jason Bailey
Diane Bay
Justin Vining
2025 Honorable Mentions $10 each
Alan Larkin
Sandi Cook
David M. Seward
Susie Byerly
Photos by Andy Batt
Photo by Andy Batt
Farley Lewis “Morning Shadows”
New harmony town council purchase award
The New Harmony Town Council graciously awarded one participant of the Saturday Art Show and Sale in honor of Dr. George and Mrs. Peggy Rapp with a purchase prize of up to $1,000. The piece must have been painted during the First Brush of Spring and consist of a town scene. The chosen piece will be hung permanently in New Harmony’s Town Hall. This is the first year for the award and is greatly appreciated!!
New Harmony Town Council members include Jeff Smotherman, Rodney Clark, Tom Williams, Connie Weinzapfel, and Lora Arneberg.
Winner: Farley Lewis “Morning Shadows”
Saturday Art Show and Sale
This year the Ribeyre Center was filled with 45 artists selling their masterpieces created during the past week and studio work!! With over $30,000 in sales, 2025 marks one for the history books!
If you are interested in participating in next year’s Saturday Art Show and Sale, pre-register through the link below!
Photos by Andy Batt
"First brush, second look"
The winner's exhibit
Displayed at the Owen Community House #2, the Winner’s Exhibit, “First Brush, Second Look,” showcases the top 7 winners from the 2024 First Brush of Spring Paint Out.
Featuring artists include David M. Seward, Jason Bailey, Lon Brauer, Beverly Bruntz, Chris Newlund, Mary Ann Davis, and Donna Shortt. Artists provided several pieces and are for sale.
