Plein Air Outings

Painting the landscape outdoors, or “en plein air,” is a centuries-old practice that requires an artist to respond directly to their natural environment. It’s not always convenient, but many artists choose to work outdoors as much as possible to better enjoy the personal and immediate experience of their subject. Many artists find that their plein air work is fresher and livelier than their in-studio work.

KAA is proud to schedule Thursday evening plein air meetups during the late spring and summer. We invite you to join us. The events are open to KAA Members only. Any artist who wishes to attend an event is welcome to show up at any time, stay as long as they wish, work in any medium, and with whatever gear they wish. We usually have watercolor, oil, and acrylic painters, pastel artists, photographers, and artists who draw in their sketch books. Some people bring easels, some bring beach chairs, some just sit on the grass or rocks. Many artists enjoy the camaraderie of working alongside others who may be trying to solve similar problems or depict similar views.The events are loosely structured; there is no signup or group interaction required, and attendance is non-compulsory. The Plein Air Meetups are typically cancelled in the event of rain, but if you enjoy working in the rain - go for it!

Locations are chosen so as to provide a selection of exciting views at unusually stimulating public and private venues. An effort is made to choose locations with convenient parking and bathroom facilities, but please note that this will not always be the case. Some locations may require a parking fee. Some locations will require a bit of a walk to reach vantage points or bathrooms. Participants should come prepared to carry their gear a moderate distance, and should be ready for sun, biting insects, and changing weather. There is usually a sign posted to help mark the event location.

Several demonstrations by professional artists are scheduled throughout the summer. Demonstration dates, artists, and fees are noted in the schedule below. When a demonstration is occurring at a particular location, artists working at that location do not have to participate in the demonstration, but a fee will be collected on site from those who do. Payments for Demonstrations must be made via cash/check.

Kittery Art Association En Plein Air Meetup Schedule 2025

The Thursday evening Plein Air Meetups happen from 4-7pm early in the summer, then change to 3-6pm on August 7th.
The schedule is finalized by the middle of April each year. Please contact KAA if you would like your property to be considered as a location for our 2026 season!

Pick ’n’ Paint: Locations that are noted as “Pick ’n’ Paint” offer exciting alternative locations nearby, as noted.

May 22, 4-7pm: The Hosmer Estate
Located at the very end of Raynes Neck Road, York, Maine. Lilacs, bold oceanfront, barn, outbuildings, extensive gardens, stone residence, expansive views.
* Margaret Dwyer Watercolor Demo *
Fee: $20 for KAA members, $25 for non-members

May 29, 4-7pm: York Beach and Short Sands
Oceanfront beach, and kitschy vacationland retail buildings.
Meet in the Short Sands parking lot, near the restrooms in front of Fun-O-Rama. There may be a parking fee.
Pick ’n’ Paint: There are a large variety of nearby beach views and streetscapes.

June 5, 4-7pm: The Top of Mount Agamenticus
Located off of Mountain Road, York, Maine.
Views to Isles of Shoals, Wells, and Mount Washington.
Meet at the picnic tables under the trees near the restrooms. There is a $2 per hour parking fee.
Pick ’n’ Paint: The half-mile Big A universal access trail circles the summit and provides numerous viewpoints, no hiking boots required.

June 12, 4-7pm: The A.M. McCurdy Residence
Located at 96 Goodwin Road, Gerrish Island, Kittery Point.
Lupine blooms, a broad field, and bold oceanfront.

June 19, 4-7pm: The Wentworth Coolidge Mansion, Carey Cottage, Little Harbor
The Wentworth Coolidge Mansion is located at 375 Little Harbor Road and Carey Cottage is located at 400 Little Harbor Road, Portsmouth, NH.
Views of historic buildings, Little Harbor and its islands, and Sagamore Creek.
Meet at the Mansion or the Cottage.
There is a 1.5-mile walking trail loop that connects the Mansion with the Cottage, with numerous scenic views along Sagamore Creek and through the woods. Bathrooms are next to the Society for the Protection of NH Forests building, near the Carey Cottage: keep right as you go up the drive.

June 26, 4-7pm: Downtown Kittery Point and Pepperrell Cove Pier
There are a small number of free parking spaces (Kittery dump stickers only) at the pier, otherwise you may have to pay to park in the lot across Rt. 103.
Pick ’n’ Paint: Although the waterfront is the main attraction, there are several good views up and down Rt. 103.
* David Lussier Demo *
Fee: $20 for KAA members, $25 for non-members

July 3, 4-7pm: The Hamilton House
Located at 40 Vaughan’s Lane, South Berwick.
Historic riverfront mansion with extensive grounds, formal gardens, and outbuildings.

July 10, 4-7pm: Sanctuary Arts
Located at 117 Bolt Hit Road, Eliot, Maine.
This is a small art school in a rehabbed church building. Includes a sculpture garden, pond, chickens, and the busy clutter of a working metal foundry.
Bathroom is just inside the back door. In the large classroom are many sculptures, paintings, and books.

July 17, 4-7pm: The Causeway at Cutts Island
Meet at the Rachael Carson Cutts Island Trial trailhead, Seapoint Road, Kittery Point.
Marsh and tidal creek views.
For those who don’t mind walking a bit, there are many excellent marsh and woodland views at various distances along the trail.
Bring your insect repellant!

July 24, 4-7pm: Four Tree Island, Portsmouth
Park for free at the Four Tree Island lot on Peirce Island.
Views of the river, riverfront buildings, bridges, working fishing boats, and the Navy Yard.
Bathrooms are on Four Tree Island.
Pick ‘n’ Paint: Nearby are the Portsmouth Pool, a boat launch ramp, the gardens of Prescott Park,
the quaint and historic buildings of Mechanic Street, and Point of Graves Burying Ground.
* Frank Costantino Demo *
Fee: $20 for KAA members, $25 for non-members.

August 1, 4-7pm: Dianne and Jimmy Dean Residence
Note: This outing takes place on a Friday instead of a Thursday!
140 Pepperrell Road, Kittery Point: Waterfront and views of Pepperrell Cove.
* Doris Rice Watercolor Demo *
Fee: $20 for KAA members, $25 for non-members

August 7, 3-6pm: Wood Island Lifesaving Station
Located in the Piscataqua River off of Fort Foster.
Free transport from Kittery Town Pier, leaving at 3 pm.
Big thanks to Sam Reid, president of the board of the Wood Island Association.
There are a small number of free parking spaces at the pier, otherwise you may have to pay to park in the lot across Rt. 103.
Get there early; this adventure is very popular and the boat is always full.

August 14, 3-6pm: The Jackie Ellis Residence
Located at 6 Moore’s Island Lane, Kittery Point.
Water and waterfront views on both sides.
Pick ’n’ Paint: There are several excellent views from various spots up and down Moore’s Island Lane, also up and down Rt. 103 nearby.

August 21, 3-6pm: The Marshall Gaffney Residence
Located 18 Crockett Neck Road at Spruce Creek sluiceway, Kittery Point.
Pick ’n’ Paint: There are excellent views from both sides of the road at the east end of the causeway, and from the park directly across the water from the Gaffney residence.

August 28, 3-6pm: Fort McClary
Located on Pepperrell Road, Kittery Point.
Pick ’n’ Paint: The main section of the park is on the east side of 103, but there is another section of the park, across Rt. 103, including a pond, a playground, views of Barter’s Creek, and plenty of parking.
There may be a parking fee.

September 4, 3-6pm: The Hosmer Estate
Located at the very end of Raynes Neck Road.
Bold oceanfront, barn and outbuildings, extensive gardens, stone residence, expansive views.
* Mary Byrom Demonstration *
Fee: $20 for KAA members, $25 for non-members.

September 11, 3-6pm: Harbor Beach, Hartley Mason Park and Cliff Walk, York Harbor, Maine
Park on Harbor Beach Road and Rt. 1A. Bathrooms are by the beach.
Pick ’n’ Paint: For the agile and intrepid, there are excellent views along the Cliff Walk, which runs north of the Park along the ocean.

September 18, 3-6pm: Downtown Kittery
Urban landscape, across-the-water views of the shipyard.
Meet at KAA building.
* Todd Bonita demonstration *
Fee: $20 for KAA members, $25 for non-members.

September 25, 3-6pm: The Sam Curran Residence
Located at 578 Haley Road, Kittery Point.
Views of the North End of Barter’s Creek.

Here we are on Wood Island! Special thank you to Sam Reid who made this outing possible and ferried us out to the island!

Photo: Aimee C. Timmins — Here we are on Wood Island! Special thank you to Sam Reid who made this outing possible and ferried us out to the island! Photo: Aimee C. Timmins

Stay tuned for our 2026 Plein Air Outing Schedule

This schedule is finalized by the middle of April each year.
Please contact the KAA if you would like your property to be considered as a location for future Plein Air Meetups.