PLEIN AIR EVENTS SPONSORED BY APAA:

Fall 2026 through Spring 2027

October 24, 2026 – Blue Point Recreation Site - Leila Langston

October 29 - Tlaquepaque, Sedona - Nori Thorne

October 31 – Butcher Jones Recreation Site - Debborah Charboneau

November 14 - Jewel of Cave Creek - Leila

December 12 - Water Users/Salt River - Leila

January 9, 2027 - Brown's Ranch - Beverly Bradshaw

January 23 - Lost Dutchman State Park - Leila

February 13 - Phon D Sutton - Leila

February 20 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum - APAA, Nori, Gary and Leila

October 29, 2026 (Thursday) - Tlaquepaque, Sedona

Meeting Location:  Parking Lot at left side of buildings
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Host:  Nori Thorne, norithorne@gmail.com
Fee: Free
Address / Map: https://tlaq.com/  336 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 
Restrooms: Yes
About the Site: Charming Spanish colonial-style architecture with a collection of art galleries, restaurants, and shops located along Oak Creek

Register here:   Tlaquepaque  Also, Contact Nori Thorne if you plan on coming

October 31 (Saturday) Butcher Jones Recreation Site 

• Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot
• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Host: Deborah Charbonneau dcharboneauart@gmail.com  Leila Langston  leilalangston@hotmail.com
• Fee: $8 Tonto Daily Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass
• Map Link: Google Maps Search Term: “Butcher Jones Recreation Site, Fort McDowell, AZ”
• Restrooms: Yes
• About the Site: A scenic spot along Saguaro Lake, offering opportunities to paint the lake, rocky shoreline, desert vegetation, and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a morning of plein air painting in this beautiful Sonoran Desert setting.

November 14, 2026 – Jewel of Cave Creek   

Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Host: Leila Langston leilalangston@hotmail.com
Fee: No fee
Map: Google Maps search: “Jewels of Cave Creek, Cave Creek, AZ”
Restrooms: No

Register here: Jewel of Cave Creek Plein Air

December 12 - Water Users/Salt River 

January 9, 2027 - Brown's Ranch - Beverly Bradshaw

Meeting Location: Visitor Center (please arrive before 9:00 AM; we typically paint along the Jane Rau Interpretive Nature Trail)
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Host:  Beverly Bradshaw carlbrad16@gmail.com
Fee: Free
Address / Map: 30301 N. Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Restrooms: Yes

January 23 - Lost Dutchman State Park - Leila

February 13, 2027— Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area (Salt River)

Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Host: Leila Langston leilalangston@hotmail.com
Fee: $8 Tonto Daily Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Map: Google Maps search: “Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area, Mesa, AZ”
Restrooms: Yes

About the Site: A hidden gem along the Salt River, featuring peaceful riverbanks, mesquite trees, and expansive desert skies—perfect for late-afternoon light.  

February 20, 2027 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum 

Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, with trails winding through cactus gardens, desert flora, and dramatic mountain backdrops.

April 5 – Paint Arizona Day 

(APAA will not host, but members are encouraged to attend events hosted by PAPA or Sonoran Plein Air Painters)