Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE)
May 17-21, 2022

Santa Fe, New Mexico

TEXT ALERTS

You can receive important messages and updates about PACE via text message. If you used your cell phone number when you registered, we have added you to the text alert system automatically. If you used a landline or are not sure which number you used, go to pacealerts.com to add yourself. This is for PACE-related messages only (we promise not to spam you). You can opt out any time. Message and data rates may apply.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Please stay safe and healthy while at PACE. Here are some guidelines to follow:

  • Emergencies: If you experience or witness an emergency, please call 911 immediately. If you’re unable to make the call, ask someone to call on your behalf.
  • After calling 911, call our paramedic, Davis Perkins on (415) 519-3125
  • Alert a staff member or volunteer to further assist you and to guide emergency responders to the scene.
  • For minor issues, the Help Desk will have basic first aid supplies available

ALTITUDE: Santa Fe has an elevation of 7200’ above sea level and the climate is quite dry.

  • Hydration: Plan to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. This is very important to help prevent altitude sickness.
  • Plan Ahead: Start drinking extra water now so that you arrive in Santa Fe well hydrated. Continue to drink lots of water while there.
  • Food / Snacks: Keep your favorite snacks with you. Along with staying hydrated, a nutritious snack can help you stay energized.
  • Air Quality: An artist local to Santa Fe encourages everyone to bring and wear N95 masks. Recent wildfires have left the air quite smoky. The fires are not close to the resort.
  • Bug Protection: Bring your own bug protection products for paint-out sessions.
  • Monitor: Unless you live at a high elevation, it may take a couple of days for you to acclimate. Please monitor yourself and those around you for signs of altitude sickness. Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, headache, increased blood pressure, fatigue, swelling in the hands, feet, and face.
  • Seek Help: If you find yourself not feeling well, contact a staff member or volunteer. If you’re unable to get help on your own, please ask someone near you to help.

PREVENTING ALTITUDE SICKNESS

  • Increase water intake now and while in Santa Fe.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages at least the first night.
  • You can purchase canned oxygen at many pharmacies and grocery stores in Santa Fe. If you feel as though you may be at risk for altitude sickness, plan to purchase canned oxygen upon your arrival.
  • Santa Fe has several oxygen bars you can visit.
  • If you or someone else appears to need oxygen, alert a staff member or volunteer. We will have a portable oxygen tank on hand.

CLOTHING:

  • Casual and Comfortable: Feel free to wear casual and comfy clothing — outfits you don’t need to fuss over. This will free up your mind so you can soak up everything PACE has to offer.
  • Along with our recognizable blue shirts, the majority of our staff and volunteers will dress casually … jeans or casual pants, etc. — you’re welcome to do the same.
  • Shoes: Please bring and wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for both inside and outside activities. Achy feet and blisters tend to spoil the fun.
  • For paint-out sessions, wear only sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
  • Layers: The weather can be unpredictable. Bring layers of clothing that you can easily put on or remove throughout the day whether you’re inside or outside.
  • Special Clothing: Plan for rainy, stormy weather.
  • Party Clothes: Casual clothes are fine. If you’d like, bring something fun to wear to the clothing party. Western-style and Santa Fe attire encouraged!
  • Hats: To help lessen direct exposure to the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat. Another great option is a hat with “back-of-the-neck” protection.
  • Sunscreen: Bring your own sunscreen and keep it with you at all times.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE HOTEL

We are encouraging all attendees to join the Plein Air Convention Facebook group and arrange rides with other attendees to and from the Albuquerque airport. There are several shuttle companies with service from Albuquerque to Santa Fe (Ground Transportation – ABQ Sunport), but they do not go to the hotel so an Uber/Lyft will also be necessary once you arrive in Santa Fe.

AGENDA

A full agenda can be found here. Please note faculty, times, dates, and venues may be subject to change. Changes will be announced from stage and via text alerts.

PRE-CONVENTION ACTIVITIES (Additional Fee Required)

As of this writing, there are still a few seats left for the pre-convention events. Additional fee required for both. Please click the workshop name for more details and latest availability information.

Workshop with Kevin Macpherson “Colorful Conversations”

Monday, May 16 9am – 5pm (one-hour lunch break on your own)

Tuesday, May 17 8am – 1pm (Convention Official Opening is at 4:00pm)

The Basics of Plein Air Painting with Carrie Curran, Barbara Tapp, Jed Dorsey, and Sharon Bamber

Tuesday, May 17 8am – 2:30pm

PLEASE NOTE: If you’d like to attend one of the pre-convention workshops, please register ahead of time. If you wait until you arrive in Santa Fe, seats may not be available.

CONVENTION ORIENTATION / FRIEND FINDER (No Additional Fee)

Not just for first-time convention attendees, this orientation session is for everyone!

  • Conventions can be a bit overwhelming and we want to help you start having fun from the moment you arrive!
  • Join us on Tuesday, May 17 at 2:35pm for this short orientation session. Your friendly hosts will show you how to find information in your souvenir program, navigate the schedule, locate the different rooms and stages for presentations, how to shop in the Expo Hall, and very importantly, directions to the restrooms (remember, you’ll be staying very hydrated!)
  • We’ll play a fun game, give away some cool prizes, and then walk to the main stage for the opening ceremony with all of the new friends we just made.

REGISTRATION / CONVENTION CHECK-IN

Monday, May 16

  • 7am – 9am: Registration open for Kevin Macpherson Pre-Convention Workshop attendees ONLY
  • 9am – 5pm: Registration open for all convention attendees

Tuesday, May 17

  • 7am – 8am: Registration open for Kevin Macpherson Pre-Convention Workshop and Basics Course attendees ONLY
  • 8am – 7pm: Registration open for all convention attendees

Wednesday, May 18

  • 8am – 4pm: Registration open for all convention attendees

HELP / INFORMATION DESK

Have a question? Need help with something? The friendly staff at the Help Desk will be ready to answer any and all of your questions throughout the week. Look for the big sign that says “HELP DESK: Your Problems Solved Here.” The Help Desk also serves as Lost & Found so if you lose or find something, head to the Help Desk.

OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony begins on Tuesday, May 17 at 4pm sharp in the Main Hall

As you enter the Main Hall, please find seats toward the front and in the center of the room. This way, as your fellow attendees enter the room, they won’t have to crawl over you to find a seat. We have a jam-packed opening ceremony, and you won’t want to miss a minute of it!

GO AT YOUR OWN SPEED

With captivating content offered from early morning until late evening, our goal is to keep you as busy as you want to be. Attend as much or as little as you wish. Arrive at and leave paint-outs when it suits you. PACE can be both exhilarating and exhausting so pace yourself at PACE!

FLOATING TO DIFFERENT ROOMS

You are encouraged to visit any stage at any time. We have Water Media, Pastel, the Main Stage (mostly oil demos), and a Demo Stage.

DAILY PAINTING

  • One of the great experiences of the Plein Air Convention will be the time we’ll spend outdoors painting in and around beautiful Santa Fe.
  • Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity by keeping detailed notes during the sessions and presentations each day. Then, once out on location, try the things you’ve learned. Putting new knowledge and skills to work immediately is the best way to make rapid improvements in your work.
  • Please note that painting locations are for Plein Air Convention attendees only via special permits and permissions, at great expense in some cases, so please do not invite non-attendees to paint at these locations. Badges may be checked.

PAINT-OUT SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS

  • Wednesday, 4:30-7pm — We’ll be painting in and around the picturesque village of Chimayó with its historic churches, chapels, and buildings.
  • Thursday, 4:30-7pm — Santa Fe Plaza: The heart of Santa Fe for nearly 400 years, the Plaza has both Native American and Spanish influences and no shortage of amazing buildings to paint.
  • Friday, 2:30-7pm — A whole afternoon to be spent at the El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living history museum with a range of historic buildings including an old water wheel mill, chapels, and dwellings along with rocky New Mexico scenery. There is a $6 cash per person charge. Badge required for entry.
  • Friday, from 9am-5pm — We’ll spend the day painting and admiring some of the most stunning scenery Northern New Mexico has to offer — Ghost Ranch, a place where Georgia O’Keeffe spent much of her time. There is a $10 per person Day Pass fee payable either on the day, or to prepay via Ghost Ranch’s booking website. Click here to prepay for your Day Pass pleinairconvention.com/ghost-ranch.

Be sure to purchase any materials you need for the paint-out events before the Expo Hall closes on Friday, May 20 at 2:30pm.

TRANSPORTATION to PAINT-OUTS

NOTE: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING TO THE PAINTING SITES.

  • This year, we are offering the option to purchase a bus ticket to the painting sites. There are a few seats still available. Click here to find out more about the bus options: https://store.streamlinepublishing.com/collections/2022-pace-busses
  • You could buddy up with someone who has a car. If you’re bringing a car, have extra seats available, and you’re willing to offer a ride to a fellow artist, let the Help Desk know.
  • If you do need a ride, go to our Help Desk and request a ride IN ADVANCE.
  • Note that all painting locations are a bit of a drive, the closest being about 20 minutes, the farthest (last day at Ghost Ranch) about an hour, but well worth it. Parking everywhere is difficult — another reason car pools are helpful.

For additional information on what you need to know for PACE, please see below.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

COCKTAIL PARTY

The cocktail party will begin right after the opening ceremony. Be sure to look in your registration bag for a ticket you can exchange for a complimentary drink. After that, there will be a cash bar. Light foods will be served. Casual dress is appropriate!

ART MARKETING BOOT CAMP with ERIC RHOADS (Bonus Sessions – No Extra Fee)

  • On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings from 6:30-7:45am, plan to attend the BONUS Art Marketing Boot Camp sessions.
  • Each year, Eric presents information on what’s working right now in art marketing.
  • Sessions from previous years are available for immediate viewing when you order the Art Marketing Boot Camp streaming versions at PaintTube.tv
  • Bring a notepad and join the other early birds who, like you, want to get serious about selling their artwork.

HOME ROOM

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, everyone gathers at 8am in the Main Hall for ‘Home Room’. We’ll let everyone know what’s in store for the day, make announcements, and give away prizes. Yes, you read that correctly — we’ll be giving away prizes! Don’t miss it!

EVENING SESSIONS

See your souvenir program for special evening sessions. There will be a nocturne paint-out, pastel, oil, and digital demos to choose from.

GIVEAWAYS

  • When you arrive and check in for the convention, you’ll get a bag full of goodies. There, you’ll find a raffle ticket. Fill that out and place it in the box BEFORE the start of convention.
  • Giveaways will be held when everyone is together in the Main Hall, before presentations, and during Home Room. If you have any questions about where to drop off your raffle ticket, stop and ask at the Help Desk, or any of the staff or volunteers can direct you.

FIELD PAINTERS

  • During the paint-outs, many of our stage faculty and additional “field instructors” will be set up and painting, too. You can observe them, ask questions, and even ask for help with your own painting.
  • You can spot the field instructors by their green hats, flags, and signs.
  • If you’d like help from a field instructor, find the “Faculty Stop Here” card that will be in your convention bag. Wave that card so roaming faculty members know you’d like some help. Don’t clip it to your easel because it may get overlooked.

ART SHOW & SALE

  • A great chance to view and buy paintings by faculty members and convention attendees. If you’d like to sell your artwork in the show, find all the details here.
  • Many artists will make their demonstration paintings available for sale via the Art Show & Sale. Please do not approach artists directly to purchase.
  • Artists wishing to sell their paintings will arrange with the Art Show & Sale staff to have their artwork displayed with a completed tag.
  • Remember that many of these paintings will still be wet, so please use caution. If there is high demand, a lottery will be held to determine who can purchase the painting.

MEALS

  • You are on your own for most meals. The Buffalo Thunder has several restaurants and we have arranged for some other quick-serve options to be available as well.
  • Hors d’oeuvres will be served at the cocktail party on opening night.
  • A hot, stand-up breakfast will be served on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday mornings from 6:30-8:00am (just before Art Marketing Boot Camp begins).
  • You are the one who knows your nutritional needs the best. Please plan for snacks, sack lunches, etc. as needed. When you’re headed for a meal, take a chance and invite someone with a convention badge to go along with you. You already know what the conversation will be about!

PARKING

There is ample, free parking at the hotel

CLOSING-NIGHT PARTY

Thursday, 7:30pm — Save some energy from the afternoon paint-out at El Rancho de las Golondrinas and come along to the great closing-night party in the Main Stage Ballroom. Casual attire welcome or plan to dress in western-theme,

PHOTOS, VIDEO, AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Please do NOT video or Facebook Live any sessions. Doing so could get you evicted from the convention. Photos are acceptable at all times. Use #PACE22 when posting on social media. Be sure to get your photos with your favorite faculty in front of the PACE backdrop, and have your photo taken in front of our Santa Fe backdrop.

HOW THE CONVENTION WORKS

ENTRY

  • You paid to attend the Plein Air Convention, and those who did not pay will not be allowed to enter.
  • Entry requires a badge that will be provided at check-in and there will be security checks at the doors. Please do not encourage friends to “crash” or sneak in; we are charged for every person who enters. We don’t like being in the position of having to turn people away. Thank you.
  • Keep track of your badge. If you give it to someone else or lose it, we cannot replace it. If we find you’ve given your badge to someone to get in and you’ve requested a new badge, you will be evicted from the convention without refund and will not be allowed to attend future conventions. Unfortunately, this harsh practice has become necessary.
  • Guards will be stationed at doors and instructed not to allow anyone to talk their way in without a badge.

Your badge gets you into everything except the Basics Course and the Kevin Macpherson Workshop, each of which is optional and requires an additional fee. Other than these two optional events, there’s no need to register for any other workshops or sign up for anything special. Just show up and enjoy!

ASSISTANCE

Convention staff are ready to assist and will be clearly visible in royal blue shirts. Please don’t hesitate to ask a staff member, volunteer, or Help Desk staff for any assistance you may need.

SITTING UP NIGHTS

Lots of the fun at PACE is sitting up late talking to old friends and meeting new ones. This year we’ve imported some musicians to keep the music going into the evenings. Enjoy. This is your chance to get away from your busy life, cut loose, and have fun.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

While at the convention, visit the PleinAir Store. We’ll be offering instructional videos at deeply discounted, convention-only prices. In addition, you can purchase shirts, hats, products such as books and art tools offered by some of the faculty artists, and our very popular paint aprons. We offer limited stock on all items so if you like it, buy it before it sells out.

NEXT YEAR’S CONVENTION

  • On the last day of PACE, we’ll reveal where we’re planning to meet up next year.
  • Hold the dates of May 21- 25, 2023 on your calendar now.
  • When we make the big announcement, you’ll be offered a very special registration price for next year’s PACE. This price will be lower than we’ll ever offer it again.
  • You’ll get that special price only if you sign up on the day of the announcement (or before the end of the current convention).
  • Because we want current attendees to have the first chance to register for next year at the special price, we’ll only offer this deal one time.
  • The majority of people at PACE sign up for next year’s event so we encourage you to really think about it now so you don’t miss your chance to be one of the very first artists to register for next year and get in at the lowest price.
  • Remember, you must turn in your registration form by the end of the convention, no exceptions. Please check the dates in advance so you can hold your seat. Though these seats can be canceled, if you cancel and change your mind, you’ll have to pay the current rate if you sign up again.

TRAVELING WITH PAINTS AND SUPPLIES

If you plan to paint with us, you will need paints and supplies. Most, if not all, of what you’ll need can be purchased in our giant Expo Hall once you arrive — easels, tripods, panels, paint, brushes, and pretty much everything you’ll need. If you are planning to bring your own supplies, here is some helpful information:

The following is important if you are traveling via commercial airline:

The TSA will not allow solvent in carry-on or checked baggage. Solvent will be available for purchase at the event from Gamblin at their booth, or at local art stores. Gamblin will also collect and recycle used solvent. Bring a vessel to store solvent in once there. Do not pour solvent down the drains. Also, please be cautious with wet paint in your hotel room, and do not clean brushes in sinks. Any cleaning fees will be billed to you.

The following items must be checked and cannot be in carry-on baggage:

Tube paints

  • Mediums for oils, acrylic, and watercolor
  • Palettes with paint on them
  • Containers carrying paint out of the tube
  • Sharp tools like knives, palette knives, razor blades, or scissors

The following items may be carried on:

  • Brushes
  • Easels in backpacks
  • Tripods
  • Clean palettes
  • Pan watercolors
  • Pastels
  • Canvases, panels, and paper
  • Drawing materials (pencils, pens, charcoal, erasers, conte)
  • Sketchbooks
  • Paint cups, trays, and empty vessels for water and solvents
  • Viewfinders
  • Headlamp for outdoor nocturne painting (if you’d like to attend a nocturne session)
  • Bottles of ink (3 oz. or under only)
  • Camera
  • Hand wipes/paper towels
  • Notepads
  • Plastic gloves (for those who use them)

Another option is to ship your items to the hotel ahead of time — this will work only if you are staying at the convention hotel, the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino. The hotel staff have asked that if you intend to ship items to yourself, DO NOT mention PACE on the label (or it may get delivered to us and misplaced among all of our convention boxes). Please use the address below:

Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino

30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506
Hold for (name of guest, arrival date)
1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Santa Fe for the best Plein Air Convention & Expo ever!