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 (PADU) is Australia’s longest running and largest outdoor painting festival and includes awards and prizes, feature artists, youth involvement, demonstrations and two exhibitions of plein air paintings.
Join over 200 artists at Australia’s premier outdoor painting festival (est 2019). Held annually in Mandurah and the Peel Region of Western Australia, this vibrant festival brings together artists for a week of creativity, learning, connection and outdoor painting.
PADU Experience Peel Paint Outs are held from 22 – 25 September in the wider Peel Region, incorporating rural landscapes away from the CBD. The festival weekend of 26 – 28 September is held around Mandurah and the historic town of Pinjarra and celebrates outdoor painting with exhibitions, painting demonstrations, have-a-go activities and awards and prizes.
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. In 2026 internationally renowned artists (TBA) will run Masterclasses, paint and demonstrate throughout the festival.
Over 200 artists will be painting throughout Mandurah’s town centre and beautiful foreshores, 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 2026 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
- Day and evening paint-outs
- A two-hour Quick Draw painting competition
- Opportunities to exhibit, sell and buy original artwork.
Gallery
Atelier de Joie Painting and Sculpture introduces you to Joie Villeneuve, another PADU artist participating in Mandurah Open Studios Art Trail.![]()
![]()
Working across painting, sculpture, and installation, Joie’s art explores the intersections of material, memory, and meaning. Each piece becomes a meditation in texture, colour, and form, rich with symbolic resonance. Her process is one of devotion and discovery—an ongoing dialogue between the physical act of making and the unseen forces that guide it, offering viewers a space for contemplation and connection. Special Mother’s Day offerings available.![]()
![]()
Studio: 35A Breakwater Parade, Mandurah![]()
10am – 4pm ![]()
2, 3, 9 & 10 May
Introducing Shelley Robbins, one of our PADU artists who will be opening her studio for the Mandurah Open Studios art trail.![]()
![]()
Shelley works blending memory, atmosphere and emotion through intuitive mark-making in oil, acrylic, and gouache. Using both conscious and unconscious gestures, she builds form from negative space, allowing impressions to emerge instinctively. Inspired by plein air and the lived experience, her paintings are colourful and abstracted. Shelley hopes each piece brings some joy.![]()
![]()
Studio: 12 Poinsettia Green, Halls Head![]()
10am – 4pm ![]()
2, 3, 9 & 10 May
The best art studio? The one with no roof! ![]()
Plein air painting = opportunities to enjoy nature!![]()
Come and paint with us at Plein Air Down Under 2026 - Australia’s largest outdoor painting festival![]()
#PADU2026 #PleinAir #outdoorpainting
Introducing PADU festival favourite Val Brooks, another of our PADU artists opening her studio for Mandurah Open Studios.![]()
![]()
Val is an award-winning artist working in pastels and oils. She works both in the studio and en plein air to explore the interplay of light and shadow. She focuses on capturing the atmosphere of a scene to connect the viewer with the landscape.![]()
![]()
Studio: 13 Jennerae Bend, Halls Head![]()
10am – 4pm ![]()
2, 3, 9 & 10 May![]()
![]()
In addition to Mandurah Open Studios, Val currently has her The Edge of Shadows exhibition at the Rockingham Arts Centre, continuing to 26 April. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
This is a must see stop on the Peel Open Studios trail, 2 – 10 May.![]()
![]()
The Mandurah Plein Air Artists will be exhibiting and painting at the Halls Head Community Hall. As well as their plein air work in watercolour, oil, pastel, acrylics and pen and wash, there is printmaking and 3D beaded assemblages. Bring your paints and join in.![]()
![]()
There is a coffee van, toilets and plenty of onsite parking. ![]()
Bring your own paints and join in, everyone is welcome!![]()
![]()
MPAA is a not-for-profit group and now has over 100 financial members. As well as being active in weekly paint outs, exhibitions and workshops they also facilitate and host Plein Air Down Under, Australia’s largest and longest running outdoor painting festival. This is definitely a group that punches well above its weight! ![]()
![]()
10am to 4pm![]()
2, 3, 9 & 10 May![]()
1 Halls Head Parade, Halls Head
Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
