Thousands of Happy Artists

Transform How You Paint Outdoors in 5 Days at PACE

The 13th Annual Plein Air Conversion & Expo

May 14-18 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

Limited Spots Available

Attend the world’s most in-demand event for outdoor painters and learn how to paint with confidence, clarity, and purpose from the world’s leading plein air artists.

“As a stone cold beginner I was encouraged and inspired by all the artists who transmitted their joy of painting and how painting should be enjoyable.”

Kate Kilbourne

“As a stone cold beginner I was encouraged and inspired by all the artists who transmitted their joy of painting and how painting should be enjoyable.”

Kate Kilbourne

“As a stone cold beginner I was encouraged and inspired by all the artists who transmitted their joy of painting and how painting should be enjoyable.”

Kate Kilbourne

Get Hands-On Coaching From World’s Best Plein Air Artists

Most workshops give you one instructor for a few days. PACE gives you 5 full days learning, painting, and getting real feedback from 75+ of the world’s top plein air artists.

Limited Spots Available

The 75+ amazing Artists Leading This Event

May 14-18 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

The Ozarks is Designed to Make You Paint Better

The Ozarks weren’t picked for looks alone. They were chosen because they create ideal conditions for real artistic growth.

Over five days, you’ll paint in landscapes with strong value patterns, shifting light, rich color temperature, and clear atmospheric depth. 

It’s the kind of environment that forces clarity, speeds improvement, and helps techniques stick because you’re applying them immediately, outdoors, with expert guidance.

Diverse, paintable scenes close together, no wasted travel
Reliable light throughout the day, from morning to afternoon and into the evening
Focused, distraction-free setting yet easy to reach and stay comfortable

You don’t just visit a beautiful place. You leave painting better because of where you were.

What You’ll Actually Get From This Event

Pull everything together through final sessions and shared experiences that reinforce your growth and leave you motivated to keep painting after the event ends.

Day 1

Arrival & Opening Your Eyes

You arrive with questions, expectations, and maybe a little uncertainty. By the end of the day, the walls start to come down. You meet the instructors, feel the creative energy in the room, and realize you’re surrounded by artists who remember what it’s like to be new. Inspiration comes fast—and excitement builds for what’s ahead.

Day 2

Immersion & Understanding

You dive into indoor demonstrations across multiple stages, then take those ideas outdoors to paint the same day. Concepts around color, value, and composition begin to make sense—not in theory, but in practice. You start connecting what you’re seeing with what you’re doing.

Day 3

Exploration & Personal Breakthroughs

Confidence grows as you gravitate toward the artists, mediums, and approaches that resonate most with you. You experiment more freely, ask better questions, and experience small (and sometimes big) breakthroughs as techniques begin to click.

Day 4

Confidence in Practice

Painting outdoors feels different now. Decisions come faster. You trust your eye more. Feedback from instructors and peers helps you course-correct in real time, reinforcing new habits and deepening your confidence. You realize you’re no longer painting alone—you’ve found your people.

Day 5

Integration & Momentum

Everything comes together. The learning, the experiences, and the friendships settle into place. You leave not just inspired, but grounded—with clearer direction, renewed motivation, and momentum that carries forward long after the event ends.

Every Day at PACE Includes

Want to Make Faster Progress?

Before the main event begins, join a small-group pre-convention session led by select master instructors. These focused workshops feature extended demonstrations, in-depth instruction, and live Q&A so you arrive clearer, more prepared, and ready to get more from every demo and paint-out.  Spots are limited and consistently sell out, secure yours early if it aligns with your goals.

A Creative Community That Pushes You Further

PACE isn’t just about learning techniques, it’s about finally surrounding yourself with artists who take their work seriously and want to grow.

From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a focused, supportive environment where painters of all levels learn side by side. Whether you come alone or with friends, you’ll feel part of something quickly. 
This is where real progress happens.

You’ll experience:

Many artists come for the instruction. They return for the people, and the growth that happens because of them.

Choose the Experience That Matches Your Goals

General Admission

~~$2,097~~ $1,797

May 14-18 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

$949/ month

May 14-18 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

Gold VIP Package

Platinum VIP Package

Best Value ~~$5,092~~ $4,992

May 14-18 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

Best Value $2,571/ month

May 14-18 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

Cancellation Policy

Disclaimer

General Admission

~~$2,097~~ $1,797

Early Bird

Payment Plan Monthly

5 Full Days of the Plein Air Convention
All Paint-Outs
Access to All Sessions
Opportunities to Connect & Network With Other Artists

May 14-18, 2026

The Ozarks Branson, MO

Gold VIP Package

See What Artists Are Saying About Previous Events

Had the best time ever! So excited to see all the other artists and learn their closely kept secrets. Loved getting the latest materials to be able to paint like a pro! Met some of my favorite artists and got to tell them I was their biggest fan.

Toni DeRuntz

Always a Great Event! See great plein-air painters and vendors coming together in one place to share their talents and wares. Paint with the Masters! Enjoy and grow from Eric Rhoads’ genius showmanship!

Mark Monsarrat

Despite the first blush of expense, the convention fee was well worth it for all of the many excellent demonstrations and presentations offered, as well as marketing enthusiasm/psychological affirmations.

Bobby Miller

It’s a really nice magazine. I don’t paint myself, but as an art collector, I love seeing all the works, reading the articles, and discovering the different artists featured. Keep up the great work!

CP

I am a 6 time returning attendee. PACE is an opportunity to immerse yourself in everything about painting outdoors and to meet like-minded painters. A feast for your passion or a great introduction to world of Plein Air Painting.

Barbara Tapp

I learned so much more than I thought I would. I was able to go out painting and apply what I learned each day. The instructor involvement while painting was phenomenal. It’s so helpful to have an accomplished (and sometimes famous) painter explain how you can improve your painting, while you are painting.

Duncan Knarr

Convention Hotel

(No Vacancy - But You Can Still Attend)

The main convention hotel, Chateau on the Lake, has reached capacity for our room block due to high demand.

You can join our official hotel waitlist, and as additional rooms are released they’ll be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to those on the list.

In the meantime, several nearby partner hotels still have rooms available, with convenient access and shuttle service to the convention.

Additional Off-Site Hotels Available Now
Call to book with the special PACE rate

NOTE: Being on the waitlist does not require a ticket purchase, but we recommend securing your ticket now to avoid price increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

Do I need prior experience with plein air painting to attend?

No. PACE is designed for all skill levels, from first-time outdoor painters to experienced professionals. You’ll find beginner-friendly instruction alongside advanced techniques you can grow into.

Is this event hands-on, or just demonstrations?

Both. You’ll watch live demos and paint outdoors daily, with instructors actively walking the field, answering questions, and helping you correct mistakes in real time.

What mediums are taught?

Instruction covers oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, and gouache, with specialized tracks so you can focus on what matters most to your work.

Will I get personal feedback on my paintings?

Yes. Instructors and field mentors provide direct guidance, critiques, and answers while you’re painting, not weeks later when it’s too late to apply

Is this an in-person or online event?

PACE is a live, in-person event held in the Ozarks (Branson, MO). Some sessions may include replays, but the core experience is fully immersive and on location.

What if I can’t attend every session?

No problem. You can move at your own pace, choose sessions that fit your goals, and access full replays so nothing important is missed.

How many artists will be teaching?

You’ll learn from 75+ world-class plein air artists, hand-selected for their ability to teach clearly and generously, not just paint well.

What makes PACE different from a typical workshop?

Most workshops give you one instructor for a few days.PACE gives you 5 full days learning from dozens of top artists, painting alongside them, and applying techniques immediately in the field.

Are pre-convention workshops included?

No. Pre-convention workshops are optional add-ons designed for deeper, small-group instruction. They sell out quickly and are ideal if you want a head start.

Is travel and lodging included?

Travel and lodging are not included, but we’ve secured special PACE hotel rates nearby and provide guidance to make logistics easy.

Is there a refund or cancellation policy?

Yes. Clear cancellation terms are provided during registration so you can book with confidence.

How do I secure my spot?

Simply choose your ticket tier and complete registration. Spots are limited, and PACE regularly sells out.

Thousands of Happy Artists

Paint With the World’s Top Plein Air Artists

Attend the premier plein air convention and leave with stronger skills, clarity, and confidence.

Limited Spots Available

PACE SPONSORS

Disclaimer: Plein Air Convention & Expo is an educational event designed to inspire and teach techniques used by professional artists. Results and levels of success will vary from person to person based on individual effort, practice, and experience. The examples and testimonials shared on this page are from real participants who have expressed their personal views and opinions; these should not be taken as guarantees of results.

No one should expect to achieve the same outcomes without consistent effort and dedication. Any references to improvements in painting skills or artistic growth are aspirational in nature. This event, its content, and its instructors do not offer or imply professional certification or career advancement.

By participating, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own artistic progress and decisions. Our company assumes no liability for any outcomes based on the instruction provided. Always do your own research and trust your judgment.

Transform How You Paint Outdoors in 5 Days at PACE

Get Hands-On Coaching From World’s Best Plein Air Artists

Live Demos From Master Artists

Step-By-Step Skill Training

Interactive Q&A

A Painting Community

Side-By-Side With 75+ Pros

Bonus Resources & Guides

The 75+ amazing Artists Leading This Event

The Ozarks is Designed to Make You Paint Better