A Festival one of its kind, for it’s three perspectives.
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PLEIN AIR
Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors, on location. Artists work in any medium and style, often completing paintings within a few hours to capture changing light and atmosphere—making each work a reflection of a specific moment in time and place.
Originating in 19th-century France with the invention of portable paint tubes, the movement spread to the United States, Europe, and beyond, eventually reaching Curaçao.
PLEIN EAU
Plein eau, or underwater painting, presents unique challenges. Artists typically have less than an hour to complete a work while diving, taking care not to disturb the environment.
Paint is used directly from the tube, with limited color options and altered color perception underwater. Brushes are often replaced by palette knives or fingers, and canvases are specially prepared to withstand water.
Curaçao’s clear blue waters and vibrant marine life provide an ideal setting for this practice, with artists usually working at depths of 2 to 20 feet.
PLEIN AERIAL
Introduced during the 2017 edition of the festival, plein aerial expands painting to elevated locations. Artists work from high vantage points such as Table Mountain, the Juliana Bridge, and Christoffel Mountain.
These locations offer expansive views across the island—from Spanish Water and Caracasbaai to Punda and Otrabanda—adding a new perspective to painting on location.
Paintings Of Curacao
Fresh of the easel.
Discover original plein air paintings created on location in Curaçao by local and international artists participating in the Plein Air Curaçao International Art Festival. The collection reflects the island’s landscapes, architecture, and cultural character. Availability and purchasing details may vary.
The beautiful island of Curaçao gave me so much inspiration I did close to 20 paintings during my short stay.
Having been a buddy since the beginning of the Plein Air festival and also a local participating artist for the last two events I have seen the development of the festival from a startup activity to a professionally run event. The festival has grown in such a way that it has impressed me.
This year’s event was very positive for me because of the work and cooperation of the people organizing and running the different aspects.
El proyecto es muy vérsatil, es inclusivo y permite la interacción, a mi me gustó mucho su dinámica.
Niet de meest makkelijke plek om te schilderen,maar een ongelooflijke ervaring. Dit is een geweldig product voor de experiential tourism voor Curaçao en voorlopig is Curaçao met de Plein Eau concept een van de pioniers in de wereld.
arthur oster
curacao
The plein air workshops were eyeopeners for me. A few simple tricks that I learned made me work quicker and much more accurately.
I am so touched by the hospitality I received from the Plein Air Curacao staff, my host family, and of course by all the new artists I met from all around the world. Extra plus- I sold 3/4 of all my paintings so I made my money back and more!!
QUICK - DRAW COMPETITION
The final event
of the Art Festival week is the Paint Out Competition
The competition is the culminating event of the Plein Air Curaçao festival and will take place in the Wilhelmina Park, Punda. Artists compete, in four different categories, in a 3-hour Quick Draw Paint-out. A panel of judges decide who the winners are. Besides the competition there will be a lot of things going on downtown to make it a full day of fun for everyone. There is a Kiddies Corner for kids, aged 4-12, to make their own painting, foods and drinks are for sale with various performances during the day.
The Downtown Management Organization (DMO) is an important partner of Plein Air Curaçao. DMO mobilizes the merchants in Punda to organize a street fair on the last day of the festival.
Activities include:
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shopping with reduced prices and other offers;
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food stands;
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kids' areas with clowns, face painting, photo shoots, and kids' games;
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many artisans display and sell their work while nonparticipating painters also display their paintings on the streets;
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a motor show of classical and vintage cars (Wabi Club) and the bike club;
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Moko Jumbies (stilts walkers and dancers) do their stunts;
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different kinds of (live) music and dance groups make the streets of Punda vibrate with fun.
Winning Paintings
Painters paint in 4 different categories shown below.
$550
local
paint-out artist
Aged 21+, participating in the Paint-Out
$1000
international paint-out artist
Aged 21+, participating in the Paint-Out
$150
teen/young adult
Aged between 13 - 21
$150
open category
Aged 21+, not participating in the Paint-Out
additional activities
tHE gALLERY
Exhibition of the paintings
An evolving 10-day Exhibition is held from 9am to 6pm at Art Foundation Curacao Gallery, located in Hanchi Snoa, Punda.
picnic
Moonlight Picnic
Enjoy a delicious dinner in the magical moonlight and then capture the picturesque scenery on your canvas.
wORKSHOPS
painting workshops
Workshops of various levels are held throughout the festival for those interested in expanding their painting skills.
boat trip
Easels on
the waves
Join the fun! This boat ride gives artists the chance to seize the beauty of Curaçao from off-shore.
street party
punda
vibes
There’s good food, live music, great shows, and fun shopping every Thursday night during the Festival in Punda.
Kids 4-12yrs
kiddies
corner
Kids are welcome to participate in the Kiddies Corner and make art themselves. Register on the spot at Wilhelmina Plein.