Into Nature Plein Air Competition & Exhibition
Competition: June 6–July 16, 2026
Exhibition: July 23–August 27, 2026
Into Nature Plein Air Competition
Paint the Summer! Extended Competition Dates: June 6–July 16, 2026
Now in its seventh year, WBCA’s Into Nature Plein Air Competition celebrates the beauty of a Minnesota summer through the eyes of our community. Throughout six weeks, artists of all levels—from beginners to experienced painters—are invited to paint en plein air (“outdoors”) in the White Bear Lake and surrounding areas, including during the Manitou Days festivities. Participants may pick up their lanyard on Friday, June 5, during Lisa Stauffer’s plein air demo or on Saturday, June 6, during Community Day.
Registration dates: May 1-May 30, 2026
Into Nature Plein Air Exhibition
In the Ford Family Gallery
July 23–August 27, 2026
All artwork created during the competition will be on display in the Ford Family Gallery for the full duration of the show.
Into Nature Community Reception and Award Ceremony
July 23, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM
Award Ceremony at 7:00 PM
Meet Your Into Nature Judge
Daniel Hendricksen is an artist with over 50 years of creative practice. Primarily a painter of landscapes,
both as question-inviting abstract shaped-panel acrylic paintings and as completely recognizable plein air exercises. Daniel’s professional training came from Concordia University Chicago, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he received his BFA degree in 1980. Daniel had a working career in retail photographic supplies, most recently from Central Camera. The company, a photo business begun in 1899 in Chicago’s downtown Loop. He enjoyed having many meaningful conversations with artists using photography as their medium. Moving from Chicago in the pandemic year of 2020 was challenging, but he found a supportive partner as a member of White Bear Center for the Arts, and through Neil Johnston’s Studio Coffee class, which was held virtually that year.
Daniel received the Robert and Pamela Nuffert Best of Show award at last year’s 2025 Into Nature Plein
Air Competition for his painting Summertime Beach Day. Daniel currently resides with his wife, Amy, in
Saint Paul, MN.
Into Nature Jr. Plein Air Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: July 23–August 27, 2026
Into Nature Jr. is a youth plein air exhibition celebrating the beauty of a Minnesota summer through the eyes of young artists ages 6-16. Kids are encouraged to paint or draw outside. It can be in their backyard, at a local park, or even on the campus of White Bear Center for the Arts.
Plein Air Paint-Out at Tamarack Nature Center with Outdoor Painters of Minnesota
July 12, 2026, 8:30AM—12:00PM
White Bear Center for the Arts and Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) invite plein air painters to a Paint-Out at Tamarack Nature Center. Hosted by David Nemo, OPM member and previous winner of WBCA’s annual Into Nature Plein Air Competition.