Paint the Foothills

September 25 (10 am – 9 pm) & September 26 (10 am – 4 pm)

Welcome to Paint The Foothills, Leighton Art Centre’s signature fall event where artists and community come together in a celebration of art and nature. We can’t wait to see you there!

Back by popular demand, we will be hosting a two-day plein air painting competition for LAC members on September 25 & 26, 2026. Judging will take place on Saturday, September 26 and visitors are welcome to vote in their favourite works in the People’s Choice category!

Not a competitive painter? There’s still lots for you to enjoy! Come out to paint at your own pace, picnic, go for a walk along our nature trails and take in some truly spectacular views, and be inspired by dozens of talented artists creating on the land, under our big Alberta skies. Paint the Foothills is part of a southern Alberta plein air paint out circuit called Come Paint Alberta. The circuit is a collaborative effort between Leighton Art Centre, Red Deer Arts Council, Listen Studios, Lacombe Arts Guild, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Rosebud Art Collective, Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery, and Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage.

ARTISTS: Pre-registration for the plein air event is required and the first 50 registrants will receive a swag bag!

REGISTER HERE (opens Aug 10)

Important Dates:

August 10: Registration form opens (10 am MST)
September 21: Deadline to register (4 pm MST)
September 25 – 26: Paint the Foothills plein air painting. We will be open until 9 pm on Friday evening for artists who wish to capture the stunning sunset
September 26: Wet paint sale and competition judging
September 27-October 4: Plein air pieces on display in Leighton Art Centre Great Room

Schedule and Artist Info Sheet

Membership & Consignment:

There is no registration fee to plein air paint, but you must be a current/active Leighton Art Centre member – and maintain your membership through September 2026 – to participate.
Our regular 50/50 consignment agreement applies to all sales. Leighton Art Centre will handle all sales transactions. Consignment is paid via secure online payment in 60 business days.

Additional Info:

Artists can plein air paint on board, stretch canvas, watercolour paper, wood panel, etc. There is no support size limit.
Artists must sign in at check-in table before setting out and supports must be stamped by LAC staff before beginning.
Artists may complete their plein air artwork on the 80-acre Leighton property or elsewhere outdoors, ensure supports are stamped before leaving the property. If painting off-site, please do not trespass on private land.
Artists are welcome to explore the Leighton property before the competition to select painting spots. This must be done during regular open hours, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
In progress pieces must be turned in and stored on-site overnight. Do NOT take any competition pieces home.
Artists can submit up to two (2) pieces for the competition. Gallery tags must be filled out for each with the title, medium, and price.
Pieces listed for sale are subject our usual 50/50 commission rate as the rest of the Leighton shop.
New this year, we would love to display any finished plein air pieces in the Great Room for visitors to enjoy and purchase (if for sale). Artists who select this option can pick up any unsold pieces after October 5th.