Since the days of the impressionists, artists have enjoyed the experience of painting outdoors. It is one of the true joys of being a painter.
Not only are we at one with nature, but there is also the camaraderie when two or more paint on location.
Plein Air Down Under is Australia’s longest running and largest outdoor painting festival and features awards and prizes, feature artists, youth involvement, demonstrations and two exhibitions of plein air paintings.
Plein Air Down Under presents a week of outdoor and evening paint-outs, over $12,000 in awards and prizes, workshops, youth involvement and two art exhibitions. Internationally renowned Feature Artists Michele Usibelli (USA), Aaron Schuerr (USA) and Leon Holmes (Aus) will run Masterclasses, paint and demonstrate throughout the festival.
Over 200 artists will be painting throughout Mandurah’s town centre, cultural precinct, and the historic town of Pinjarra. When the artists aren’t on site painting, the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre serves as the festival hub, offering artists and spectators the opportunity to watch demonstrations, and enjoy the festivities.
Highlights of the 2025 festival will include:
- Workshops and Masterclasses
- Painting demonstrations
- Free have-a-go art activities for all ages
- Spirit of the Landscape Art Exhibition
- Artist registration open to professional, non-professional and youth artists
- Over $12,000 in awards and prizes NOW $13,000!
- Day and evening paint-outs
- A two-hour Quick Draw painting competition
- Opportunities to exhibit, sell and buy original artwork.
Gallery
Here's some news!!![]()
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Two places have become available in Andy Dolphin's Urban Sketching Workshop, to be held on Friday 26 September. The class is part indoors, and part outdoors. ![]()
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URBAN SKETCHING with Andy Dolphin
🌿 Thank you to the Shire of Murray for your continued support of our Pinjarra Day – Day Two of the Festival Weekend!![]()
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📅 Sunday 28 September | From 10am![]()
✨ FREE activities for the whole family ✨![]()
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🎨 What’s On, Sunday 28 September:![]()
- Watch artists painting along the Pinjarra Heritage Trail![]()
- Have-a-Go Watercolour (grown-ups) with Xanthe Turner![]()
- Children’s Art Activity![]()
- Peel Growers Market![]()
- Nu.Arts Collective at Liveringa Gallery![]()
- Roger May Machinery Museum![]()
- Peel Makers Market![]()
- Pinjarra Arts Hub Shop![]()
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🎨 Feature Artist Painting Demonstrations![]()
11.00am – Aaron Schuerr (USA): Pastel painting![]()
1.00pm – Michele Usibelli (USA): Gouache painting![]()
2.30pm – Leon Holmes (AUS): Oil painting![]()
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🎶 Plus, live music with Best Friends Duo from 11am – 3pm![]()
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Come for the art, stay for the markets, history, music, and family fun – there’s something for everyone!![]()
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#pinjarra #shireofmurray #visitpeel
🎨 We Heard You! 🎨![]()
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Check out the NEW extended footprint for Day One – Saturday 27 September of the festival weekend, presented by Ray White - Mandurah![]()
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This year we’re spreading out beyond Mandurah’s newly unveiled Eastern Foreshore & Boardwalk Precinct, reaching two streets back from the foreshore. Hidden gems are waiting to be discovered – and Day One is set to be BIG!![]()
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🕣 From 8.30am onwards![]()
Sign in & board stamping (registered artists)![]()
☕ Artist coffee cart – courtesy of Ray White - Mandurah![]()
🎨 Leon Holmes Products shop open inside ManPAC![]()
🖌️ Watch artists painting around the CBD, Cultural Precinct, Eastern Foreshore, Marina & Venetian Canals![]()
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🎉 11am – 3pm | Young Painters Zone, outside ManPAC![]()
FREE art activities for all ages!![]()
Children’s Art & Face Painting with the Ray White Mandurah team![]()
Junior Painting Activity presented by the Mandurah Arts Festival![]()
Children’s Art Activity presented by Community Bank Halls Head![]()
Have-a-Go Watercolour (grown-ups) with Xanthe Turner![]()
🎶 Live music: Best Friends Musical Duo![]()
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🎭 Inside ManPAC – Fishtrap Theatre![]()
1pm – Pastel Painting Demo with Aaron Schuerr (USA)![]()
3pm – From Reference Photo to Final Painting with Michele Usibelli (USA) presented by the Mandurah Arts Festival![]()
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🍷 From 6pm onwards inside Mandurah Performing Arts Centre![]()
Bar open & food for registered artists, compliments Ray White Mandurah![]()
Meet the artists & watch the exhibition grow![]()
Spirit of the Landscape Exhibition – Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery![]()
🎁 Ray White Mandurah Door Prize![]()
🗣️ 6.30pm – Feature Artist Panel Discussion![]()
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✨ Whether you’re an artist or spectator, Day One is packed with creativity, music, and community – don’t miss it!
✨ SPIRIT OF THE LANDSCAPE OPEN SUNDAY ✨![]()
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Tomorrow at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre there’s a free world music event – and everyone’s invited! 🎶![]()
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This also means the Centre will be open to view the Spirit of the Landscape Exhibition from 12–4pm. Forty magnificant artworks by 15 award winning artists. Not to be missed!![]()
Come along and enjoy both!![]()
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🎵 About the event![]()
Luz Del Bosque is a magical trio who take audiences on a journey through the Americas with a unique blend of Latin and world music. With Amity’s soaring vocals in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Yawanawa and Quechua, Karl Hiller’s Spanish guitar, and Pavan Hari’s rich percussion, their sound is a sonic tapestry you won’t forget.![]()
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📅 Sunday 14 September![]()
⏰ Open from 12 | Music begins at 1pm![]()
📍 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
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🎨 One of the many highlights of Plein Air Down Under is access to high-quality painting materials!![]()
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🛍️ The Leon Holmes Products shop will be open and stocked with a wide range of oil and watercolour paints, plus all the accessories you might need. PADU artists will receive 10% discount on all Neef brushes and Michael Harding paints and products.![]()
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🗓️ Opening Hours, inside Mandurah Performing Arts Centre ![]()
📌 Day One – Saturday 27 Sept, from 8am-6pm![]()
📌 Day Two – Sunday 28 Sept, 3–7pm ![]()
📌 Day Three – Monday 29 Sept, 12.30–3pm ![]()
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✨ Need something before the festival? Arrange a studio visit direct with Leon & Sara Holmes at 49 Leslie St. prior to 24 September.
Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
