inaugural Port Royal
Plein Air invitational
October 10-12, 2025
Introducing the Inaugural Port Royal Plein Air invitational!
Join us October 10-12, 2025, for an unforgettable celebration of art, community, and the beauty of the Lowcountry. Enjoy artist demos, community paint-outs, and more—explore all the details below!
Steve Hessler, Plein Air Artist / Floyd, VA
Although the deadline for entries has passed, please complete the form below if you would like to receive information for next year’s event or to be notified in the event of last minute cancellations this year!
Meet the Artists
For this inaugural year, we’ve reimagined the event as a curated Invitational, moving away from an open festival format. This approach allows us to bring together a select group of artists whose work deeply embodies the spirit of plein air painting. Each artist was thoughtfully chosen for their unique style and perspective, which we believe will contribute meaningfully to the experience we’re creating—for both participants and the wider community.
We are thrilled to announce the amazing line-up of artists that have been selected for this Inaugural Event.
Steve Hessler - Floyd, VA
Elizabeth Middour - Mt. Pleasant, SC
Susan Mayfield - Salida, CO
Susan Trott - Charleston, SC
Trina Smith - Augusta, GA
Haldora - Sun City, SC
Steve Weeks - Beaufort, SC
Jessica Graham - Augusta, GA
June Klement - Augusta, GA
Ning Xie - Charleston, SC
Schedule of events
The Port Royal Plein Air Invitational will kick off on October 10, 2025, with a Reception to welcome the 15 juried artists who have traveled to Port Royal, SC, to capture the exceptional beauty of the Lowcountry.
Artists will be given suggested locations to paint, and guests are encouraged to visit them on location during the day Saturday and Sunday, October 11 & 12th.
The event offers a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their work created during these two days at the ‘Wet Paint” style Party, which will be held on Sunday, October 12th. This event is open for all to attend!
Host a Visiting Artist
Support a Visiting Artist for the Inaugural Port Royal Plein Air Invitational
Thank you for your interest in supporting the inaugural Port Royal Plein Air Invitational, hosted by Windhorse Gallery. This exciting event will welcome local, regional, and nationally recognized artists to our community.
For those artists traveling from out of town, we would love to help alleviate the stress and financial burden of accommodations.
Host a Visiting Artist! Do you have a guest room or guest house available? These talented artists would be thrilled to stay with you during the festival. If hosting isn’t an option, you can also contribute towards their accommodations to ensure a comfortable stay.
Your support makes a difference in helping us create a memorable experience for both the artists and our community.
Sponsorship opportunities
Support the Inaugural Port Royal Plein Air Invitational
A Celebration of Art, Community & the Lowcountry Landscape
As a valued local business, organization, or community member, we invite you to become a sponsor and help bring this inspiring new event to life. Your support plays a vital role in promoting arts and culture in Port Royal, providing artist stipends and awards, funding meaningful community engagement, and laying the foundation for a lasting cultural tradition.
Sponsoring the Port Royal Plein Air Festival offers a unique opportunity to align your brand with a vibrant, forward-thinking event that celebrates artistic expression, environmental appreciation, and authentic community connection. Your contribution will directly support public programming, artist recognition, and free events that invite the entire community to participate in the creative spirit.
Join us in shaping this exciting new tradition from the very beginning—and help make art a lasting part of Port Royal’s story