The natural beauty and historic charm of Sullivan County will take center stage as artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to create outdoors.  A series of plein air community painting parties will bring us together to celebrate creativity, connection, and the inspiring vistas of Sullivan.

Hosted at scenic locations throughout the County, the series encourages participants to paint, draw, or simply observe the world around them in real time—capturing the light, color, and spirit of Sullivan County’s fields, forests, waterways, and historic sites.

One highlight of the series will be a Community Painting Party at Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History in Narrowsburg, where history and creativity will be wed.  This free event invites art lovers, aspiring artists, and seasoned painters to gather on the historic grounds for an afternoon of artistic exploration and authentic reenactments of life in colonial times.

Sponsored by the Barryville Area Arts Association, these community painting parties are designed to invite mindfulness, foster social connection, and deepen appreciation for our local environment.

"Art has a unique way of bringing people together," explains Nick Roes, Executive Director of BAAA.  "By painting outdoors in some of Sullivan County’s most beautiful locations, we’re creating opportunities for connection—not only with nature, but with each other."

Email barryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to be put on our plein air mailing list.

These events are sponsored by the Western Sullivan Public Library, the Sunshine Hall Free Library, and the Barryville Area Arts Association. 

They are made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.

Details of scheduled events are below:

June 6, 2026   10 AM - 2 PM

This plein air painting event offers a relaxed opportunity for artists and nature lovers to come together in one of Sullivan County’s most picturesque settings.  Nestled around a serene, spring-fed lake, Lake Superior State Park provides a rich variety of scenic subjects.

Artists can set up along the sandy beach, paint reflections across the calm water, explore wooded areas filled with tall trees and filtered light, or capture the gentle curves of the shoreline and surrounding hills. 

Complimentary continental breakfast will be available in the morning, and at midday, artists will enjoy free pizza for lunch.  The park’s open picnic areas, quiet coves, and expansive skyline views make it an ideal location.  

Everyone is encouraged to stop by, enjoy the lakeside atmosphere, and join in the creative process. Whether painting or simply observing, you’ll experience the unique energy of art being created in real time.

An Opening Reception on August 8, 2026 at the Jeffersonville Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library will showcase the finished artwork.

This is a free event, but registration is required.  Email baryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to register.

Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to a day of creativity, history, and scenic inspiration at a community painting party at Minisink Battlegrounds Park on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Set on the historic grounds of a Revolutionary War site, the Park offers an inspiring backdrop for the days events.  Art, nature, and history lovers will gather among the rolling meadows, shaded woodlands, and sweeping views of the Delaware River Valley.  All the while surrounded by the rich history of the 1779 Battle of Minisink, in a Park that features well-maintained walking trails, open fields, and a striking memorial monument.

To make the day even more special, free continental breakfast and complimentary lunch will be provided.  This event is designed not only for painters, but for the entire community.  In the public park, spectators are encouraged to stroll the grounds, observe artists at work, and enjoy the park’s peaceful setting and panoramic vistas.

The celebration will continue later in the summer with an Opening Reception on August 8, 2026, at the Jeffersonville Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library, where completed works from the event will be on exhibit. The reception is a great way to see how different artists choose to interpret the same historic and natural setting.

Whether you are an experienced plein air painter or simply curious to try something new, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage with art, history, and nature in one unforgettable setting.

This is a free event, but registration is required.  Email barryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to register.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Art lovers, families, and curious beginners are invited to gather for a Plein Air Community Painting Party on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Backyard Park in Jeffersonville NY. The free event will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and offers a unique opportunity to create art outdoors while connecting with neighbors and enjoying the beauty of summer in Sullivan County.

Nestled in the tiny village of Jeffersonville, Backyard Park is a joyous mix of nature, whimsy, and serenity.  It has a nature trail that is just a few steps away from Jeffersonville’s Main St, so there are an infinite number of scenes to be captured on canvas. 

Whether you’re an experienced artist or picking up a brush for the first time, the event emphasizes creativity, fun, and community over perfection.  Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the day and there will be an exhibit of the finished work at the Jeffersonville Branch of the Western Sullivan Library on August 8.

This is a FREE event, but pre-registration is required.  Email barryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to register.   

Artists are being formally invited inside the walls of Fort Delaware to capture scenes of historical structures and reenactments of colonial American life.  At Fort Delaware, the daily life of the wilderness settler is explored through exhibits, crafts, and demonstrations.   The Fort is a reconstruction of an original frontier settlement—right on the Delaware River.

Some artists may wish to focus on the stockades and stout log homes; others will be captivated by spinning and weaving barn.   There are also settlers’ cabins; a spinning, weaving and barn loom area; blacksmith shop; a candle-making shed; and a blockhouse, where arms and ammunition were stored. 

Fort Delaware staff has graciously allowed artists to observe and paint, as they demonstrate 18th century life skills including cooking, baking bread, and dipping candles.

This event is open to artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels.  Art supplies will be on hand for beginners.  The finished art will be on exhibit at a free reception at the Narrowsburg Branch of the Western Sullivan Library on August 8, 2026.

You can share your passion for painting outdoors with kindred spirits at Plein Air Fort Delaware, July 25, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM.  This is a free event, but pre-registration is required.  Just email barryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to register.

These events are made possible with the support of the Western Sullivan Public Library and funding from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.