The McMichael will be closed today, January 15, due to inclement weather. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

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. 

People’s Choice Award

Contemporary Landscape

Dark painting of a coastal scene with waves and cloudy sky, a white house stands out in the distance. Melisa (Missy) Finlay, From the Bridge, acrylic and oil on canvas
Weathered wooden shed in a grassy yard, surrounded by trees. Angelo Di Francesco , Inspired by His Spirit, Tom Thomson’s Studio, watercolour on paper
Painting of a white chapel surrounded by colorful flowers. Wendy Pride, O.P.A., The Doctor’s House Chapel in Kleinburg Village, oil on canvas
Small stone chapel surrounded by greenery, pastel on paper. Darya Rakitine, Kleinberg Chapel in Bloom, pastel on paper
Night scene of a brightly lit storefront with vivid colors. Sonia Jay, Kleinburg Nocturne, acrylic on panel
Garden scene with patio umbrellas and lush greenery. Kaira Bergstra, Kleinburg Kafé, acrylic on canvas
Landscape with modern house buried between vibrant golden fields and green trees, under a blue sky. Tanya Chilova, Goldenrod Afternoon, oil on canvas
Colorful garden with red statues from the McMichael grounds, and vibrant trees. Kimberly A. Bruce, The Whispering Wolf and the Pine, acrylic cradled wood panel
Rustic barn with weathered wood and trees in the background. Laurie Cairns, Homestead, oil on canvas
Water stream bordered by tall grasses and trees in a natural setting. Chito Gonzaga, East Humber River Tributary , watercolour on paper
Large dark statue facing a man sitting on a bench, in a sunlit park at the edge of the trees. Janet Nowakowski, Tranquility, acrylic on canvas
Person walking in front of rustic barn with weathered wood. Michelle Glennie, Absence and Presence, oil on canvas
House with a large porch surrounded by greenery. Michelle Chen, The Corner of Kleinburg, oil on canvas
Two figures going upstairs in a garden setting near the McMichael building entrance. Felora, A lovely day at McMichael gallery, acrylic on canvas
Landscape painting of trees and shrubs in warm tones. Yasir Hameed, A Bright Fall, mixed media on paper
Vibrant painting of the McMichael building entrance with rich vegetation and people coming and going. Louise Hicks, Meet Me At The McMichael, oil on canvas
Gallery interior with artwork displayed on walls, three feminine figures passing calmly through. Nancy Buckingham, Morrice Past and Present, watercolour on paper
Painting of the McMichael main building entrance with soft pastel tones, solarized look. Jenny Zhang , Imagine, mineral pigments on paper mounted on wood panel
Painting of twisted tree branches in earthy tones. Elizabeth Jung-Torres, Whispy, mixed media MDF

Landscape Re-Imagined

Painting of a wooded area with statue, dogs, tall trees and green foliage. Cheryl Uhrig, Who Let The Dogs Out?, acrylic on canvas
Pathway lined with greenery and a red gate in a sunny garden. Carlo Trimmeliti, Mobile Construction Yard, oil on canvas
Close-up of dried plants with intricate details. Charlotte Sprague, Reclaimed, oil on canvas
Black-and-white artwork of figures pulling a cart in a spiral design. Tushar Patel, Planting Hope, charcoal on paper
Landscape with pink bushes and lake. Christina Vogiatzis, Spectral Stillness, infrared photography on paper
Abstract artwork with swirling brown lines. Diana Nadia Lawryshyn, Reflections on the Water, acrylic on wood panel
Large tree with textured bark and branches spreading wide. Sean Van Wert, Love Tree, egg tempera panel
Abstract cosmic painting with bright colors and textured patterns overt dark background, resembling a humanoid head. James Jennings, Neanthrobot, oil panel

Children and Youth

Simple nature painting with animals and birds on a green field. Noah Ruvinskiy, Three Rocks on a Sunny Day at McMichael, acrylic markers on illustration board
Painting of tree trunks with branches and leaves. Rachel Kvil, Magical Tree Trunk, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Two turtles on a rainbow-striped background. Illijana Buchanan, Turtles in the Sky, oil pastel on illustration board
Tree with rainbow-colored background and two insects. Allegra Buchanan , The Tree, acrylic markers on illustration board
Two trees with a small cabin in the background. Arya Shah, Tom Thomson Shack in Fall, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Painting of a wolf near fallen logs in a natural setting. Iris Shah, Wolves in Nature, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Landscape painting of a pond surrounded by trees. Katherine Han, A Quiet Place, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Landscape painting with trees and a small building under a blue sky. Chloe Han, The Beautiful Nature at McMicheal, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Painting of tall trees in a forest setting. Michael Harding, Tree in the Trees , watercolour crayons on illustration board
Treehouse on a large tree with bare branches. Emily Boaretto, A Sunny Day, oil pastel on illustration board
Colorful abstract painting of cats in bright hues. Nika Kristina Rakitine, Cat Town Visits McMichael, acrylic markers on illustration board
Painting of green plants and rocks in a natural setting. Avila Palvankar, Bunches of Birch, watercolour crayons and paint on illustration board
Painting of a grassy hill with a pink garment hanging on a line. Frankie MacDonald, Wolves, watercolour paint and acrylic markers on illustration board
Tree with green foliage and a fence in the background. April An, Prickly, oil pastel on illustration board
Painting of the McMichael building with trees and cloudy sky. Camila Mía, The Gallery, watercolour crayons on illustration board
Painting of a grassy hillside with rocks and distant mountains. Daniela Cini , Nature Trail, watercolour crayons on illustration board

People’s Choice Award

People’s Choice Award