Get ready for an exciting artistic adventure! "Paint Arizona Day," is a collaborative initiative between the Sonoran Plein Air Painters, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, and the Arizona Plein Air Painters. On April 5th, 2025, we invite artists from all corners of Arizona to capture the beauty of our state through plein air painting.

"Paint Arizona Day" is a celebration of creativity, uniting plein air painters statewide. Whether you're a member of our group, Sonoran Plein Air Painters, or any other art organization, everyone is welcome to participate. You don't need to be a paid member; you just need the passion to paint!

While you're free to choose your own painting location, we've also planned special "paint outs" in various scenic spots. These paint outs involve group gatherings at specific locations and times for a collective plein air experience.

Watch this space, spread the word, share your excitement on social media, and let's make "Paint Arizona Day" an annual celebration of the beauty of Arizona.

Grand Canyon ———

Grand Canyon [8am to 5pm]
South Rim Geology Museum at Yavapai Point
PAD Ambassador:
Dawn Sutherland (928)593-0604
Fee: $35, Restrooms: YES

Apache Junction ———

Superstition Mountains [3PM to Dark]
Cross Streets: Goldfield Road & Lost Dutchman Blvd
Google Maps Search Term: "Goldfield Road & Lost Dutchman Blvd"
Address: E Lost Dutchman Blvd, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Park at the end of E. Lost Dutchman Blvd, you'll find a large dirt lot with a clear view of the Superstition Mountains, they glow at sunset.
PAD Ambassador: Paul Steele (602) 330-1400
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

Bisbee ———

Bisbee, AZ [8AM to Noon]
2 Main St, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Meet out front of Bisbee Coffee Company Cafe, spread out on foot. There are many great views to paint in short distance. Restrooms are in the main building on the second floor (Mecantile on Main). Restrooms also can be found in the park area next to the Mining Museum.
PAD Ambassador:
Lissa Howe (520) 901-0429
Fee: NO, Restrooms: Main building on the second floor (Mecantile on Main).

Cave Creek ———

Jewel of the Creek [8AM-11:30AM]
44029 N Spur Cross Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Park in the large parking lot a little passed Arizona Horseback Adventures Hike down to the creek or paint from the lot.
PAD Ambassador:
Beverly Bradshaw (206) 409-8500
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

Flagstaff ———

Flagstaff - Buffalo Park [9am]
2400 N Gemini Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Meet at the covered picnic area to the left of the track. Plenty of parking.
PAD Ambassador:
Jane Mulrooney Jane.Mulrooney@nau.edu
Fee: NO, Restrooms: YES

Mesa ———

Salt River - Water Users Recreation Area [8-10AM]
Google Maps Search Term: Water Users Recreation Area
PAD Ambassador:
Leila Langston (720) 532-2790
Fee Kiosk: $8 Tonto Daily pass, or American the Beautiful Pass
Restrooms: YES

Phoenix ———

Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon Trail [8am to Noon]
5700 N Echo Canyon Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85018
Meet by the rest rooms.
PAD Ambassador:
Linda Pullinsi (602)400-3369
Fee: NO, Restrooms: YES

Patagonia ———

Patagonia - N 3rd Ave & McKeown Ave [9:30am]
Parking is available all along the town park and in many other scenic places in the area. There are public restrooms at the far south end of the central town park. Gathering Grounds cafe on the main drag is a second option.
PAD Ambassador:
Terri Gay terrigayfineart@gmail.com
Fee: NO, Restrooms: South end of the central town park or Gathering Grounds Cafe

Prescott ———

Prescott: Watson Lake [8:30am]
Park in the lot at the top of the hill at Watson Lake in Prescott. Meet North of the parking lot at the bench and flat area overlooking the lake. Panoramic views of the lake below.
PAD Ambassador: Bob Goldman (619) 436-7809
Fee: $3 Kiosk, Restrooms: YES

Sahuarita ———

Sahuarita Lake Park [8:30am to 11am]
15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita, Sahuarita AZ
Take I=19 to Sahaurita exit and turn Left coming from the North and right coming from the South. Follow Sahaurita Rd to La Viilita, there is a signal there, turn left. Follow that street down to a dead end and turn right. The Park entrance is right there. The park is open dawn to dusk.
PAD Ambassador: Nanci Sheppard nanciwshep2468@gmail.com
Fee: NO, Restrooms: YES

Sedona ———

Aerie Trailhead [8:30am]
Google Maps Search Term: Aerie Trailhead
Approx address: 340 Aerie Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336 - Go a little farther down Aeie Road and take the left fork when the road splits.
If you want to Carpool from Sedona Artists Market, RSVP with Hope
PAD Ambassador:
Hope Ricciardi (617) 816-1501
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

Munds Wagon Trail [At Sunrise]
34°52'01.6"N 111°44'56.3"W
Meet at the trailhead. Look for this group at the picnic tables just north of the kiosk and restroom.
PAD Ambassador:
Bill Cramer & Ursula Schneider [928] 533-8528
Fee: $5 KIOSK, Restrooms: VAULT, Parking Limited

Cresent Moon Park [8am to 5pm]
View of the stately Cathedral Rock.
PAD Ambassador:
Suzette Young
suzette.young6@gmail.com
Fee: $12, Restrooms: YES

Superior ———

Picketpost Trailhead [ [8am to Noon]]
Dirt road is well maintained. Park and meet at the corrals. Cindy Carrillo will be in a white Highlander. Lush desert and great mountain views.
PAD Ambassador:
Cindy Carrillo (602) 686-7939
Fee: NO, Restrooms: YES

Tucson ———

Tucson Barrio [9am]
212 W Frankin St & Meyer Ave
Parking on the street, bathrooms where you find them.
PAD Ambassador:
Denyse Fenelon (520)465-6409 denysefenelon@gmail.com
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

Sabino Canyon [9am]
5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd
Meet at Main parking lot. Parking lot is $8 per vehicle.
PAD Ambassador:
Judy Johnson judithjohnsonart@gmail.com
Fee: $8, Restrooms: YES

Honeybee Canyon [9am]
13880 N Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley
Bathrooms and covered ramadas along the trail. Historic stone dam and views of the Catalina mtns and Mt Lemmon.
PAD Ambassador: Kathy Minck
Restrooms: Yes, Parking: Limited

AZ Sonoran Desert Museum [8:30am]
2021 N Kinney Rd Tucson
RSVP REQUIRED only 5 passes available, RSVP to Greg (520)370.0225. Meet at front gate. Parking in the lot, bathrooms inside the park.
PAD Ambassador: Greg Wallace (520) 370.0225
Restrooms: YES

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun [9am]
6300 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 8571
PAD Ambassador: Virgina Belser virginiabelser@gmail.com
Fee: NO, Restrooms: YES, Open at 10am

Sarasota Trailhead [10am]
2737 S Sarasota BLVD Tucson
The Sarasota Trailhead is located at the northern end of Sarasota Boulevard immediately east of Tucson Estates. The paved trailhead has spaces for 22 vehicles and provides access to Tucson Mountain Park.
PAD Ambassador:
Cornelia Jensen (646) 327-4066
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

San Xavier del Bac Mission [9am]
1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746
PAD Ambassador:
Julia Patterson 602.647.9866
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

Madera Canyon - Whitehouse Picnic Area [9am]
Meet at Whitehouse Picnic Area.
PAD Ambassador:
Charles Thomas (520) 255 0750 ctfineart@gmail.com
Fee: $8, Restrooms: YES

Tubac ———

Tubac Center for the Arts [9:30am]
RSVP REQUIRED, rsvp 2 days in advanced to Mary Baum marygbaum@gmail.com
Painting at the Plaza Rd & Calle Iglesia area. Parking on the street. Tubac Center for the Arts will provide sandwiches & drinks.
PAD Ambassador:
Mary Baum marygbaum@gmail.com
Fee: NO, Restrooms: NO

2024 PAD Google Map

Click each marker on the map to see paint out details.

We're excited to announce a show organized by the Sonoran Plein Air Painters following Paint Arizona Day.

If you'd like to submit your artwork, please fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/240806346151148

Here are the details:

• Location: Four Corners Gallery at the Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 East Tanque Verde Rd, 85715

• Artwork Selection: Gallery curation

• Drop-off Dates: April 12th and 13th during gallery hours or by arrangement

• Exhibition Dates: April 20th through May 11th

Logistics:

• Artists are responsible for delivering and picking up their work from the gallery

• Gallery split: 50/50

• Paintings should be framed without sawtooth hangers, with your information on the back