McMichael Annual
En Plein Air Competition
2025
Throughout August and September, over 70 artists of all ages participated in the McMichael’s annual En Plein Air Competition, creating and submitting captivating en plein air artworks created on the McMichael’s iconic grounds and the historic village of Kleinburg.
Adult artists explored various techniques, including oil and acrylic painting, and photography, competing in two thematic categories. The first, Contemporary Landscape, celebrated the traditional en plein air approach, drawing inspiration from two exhibitions: Morrice in Venice and Rita Leistner: The Tree Planters. The second, Re-Imagined Landscape, challenged participants to craft imaginative and reflective compositions in response to the effects of urbanization and the pressing realities of climate change.
This year’s Children and Youth Categories, open to artists aged 6–15, were facilitated through Paint-Out sessions. These free, hands-on workshops introduced young creatives to the en plein air technique, providing an opportunity to explore their artistic talents amidst the McMichael’s picturesque surroundings.
Through a juried selection process, 44 artists were shortlisted for their exceptional works that vividly captured the story and spirit of the landscape. These pieces will be showcased in a special exhibition at the McMichael’s Community Gallery, opening in November 2025.
The competition’s top prize winners, including the recipient of the People’s Choice Award, will be announced later in early 2026 during a reception and award ceremony.
Contemporary Landscape
Melisa (Missy) Finlay, From the Bridge, acrylic and oil on canvas
Angelo Di Francesco , Inspired by His Spirit, Tom Thomson’s Studio, watercolour on paper
Wendy Pride, O.P.A., The Doctor’s House Chapel in Kleinburg Village, oil on canvas
Darya Rakitine, Kleinberg Chapel in Bloom, pastel on paper
Sonia Jay, Kleinburg Nocturne, acrylic on panel
Kaira Bergstra, Kleinburg Kafé, acrylic on canvas
Tanya Chilova, Goldenrod Afternoon, oil on canvas
Kimberly A. Bruce, The Whispering Wolf and the Pine, acrylic cradled wood panel
Laurie Cairns, Homestead, oil on canvas
Chito Gonzaga, East Humber River Tributary , watercolour on paper
Janet Nowakowski, Tranquility, acrylic on canvas
Michelle Glennie, Absence and Presence, oil on canvas
Michelle Chen, The Corner of Kleinburg, oil on canvas
Felora, A lovely day at McMichael gallery, acrylic on canvas
Yasir Hameed, A Bright Fall, mixed media on paper
Louise Hicks, Meet Me At The McMichael, oil on canvas
Nancy Buckingham, Morrice Past and Present, watercolour on paper
Jenny Zhang , Imagine, mineral pigments on paper mounted on wood panel
Elizabeth Jung-Torres, Whispy, mixed media MDF
Landscape Re-Imagined
Cheryl Uhrig, Who Let The Dogs Out?, acrylic on canvas
Carlo Trimmeliti, Mobile Construction Yard, oil on canvas
Charlotte Sprague, Reclaimed, oil on canvas
Tushar Patel, Planting Hope, charcoal on paper
Christina Vogiatzis, Spectral Stillness, infrared photography on paper
Diana Nadia Lawryshyn, Reflections on the Water, acrylic on wood panel
Sean Van Wert, Love Tree, egg tempera panel
James Jennings, Neanthrobot, oil panel
Children and Youth
Noah Ruvinskiy, Three Rocks on a Sunny Day at McMichael, acrylic markers on illustration board
Rachel Kvil, Magical Tree Trunk, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Illijana Buchanan, Turtles in the Sky, oil pastel on illustration board
Allegra Buchanan , The Tree, acrylic markers on illustration board
Arya Shah, Tom Thomson Shack in Fall, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Iris Shah, Wolves in Nature, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Katherine Han, A Quiet Place, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Chloe Han, The Beautiful Nature at McMicheal, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Michael Harding, Tree in the Trees , watercolour crayons on illustration board
Emily Boaretto, A Sunny Day, oil pastel on illustration board
Nika Kristina Rakitine, Cat Town Visits McMichael, acrylic markers on illustration board
Avila Palvankar, Bunches of Birch, watercolour crayons and paint on illustration board
Frankie MacDonald, Wolves, watercolour paint and acrylic markers on illustration board
April An, Prickly, oil pastel on illustration board
Camila Mía, The Gallery, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Daniela Cini , Nature Trail, watercolour crayons on illustration board