FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 23, 2026

Paint Grand Traverse Moves to September 2027; Call for Artists Opens Nov. 2

Traverse City, Mich. — Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) announces that Paint Grand Traverse, its tenth annual plein air painting festival and competition, will return Sept. 19–26, 2027, moving from its traditional June dates to late summer. The call for artists opens Nov. 2, 2026.

 

Founded in 2018, Paint Grand Traverse was originally held in August before moving to June in 2023. The return to a later-season schedule offers artists a fresh perspective on Northern Michigan’s landscapes and creates new opportunities for the festival to grow.

“Paint Grand Traverse has always evolved alongside the community and the artists who make it special,” said Kyle Warner, interim executive manager of Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City. “We’re looking ahead to what September can bring for this special event. The early fall season offers exciting opportunities for artists, from changing light and the possibilities of early fall colors, to the energy of local orchards, vineyards and waterways. We also see an opportunity to connect more deeply with local residents and schools, welcome visitors at a different time in the tourism season when accommodations and local services may be more available, and introduce the festival to new audiences. We’re excited to see Northern Michigan through fresh eyes once again.”

Plein air painting, derived from the French phrase meaning “in the open air,” challenges artists to capture a scene as it unfolds, responding to the movement of life around them. In September, the lower sun can create longer shadows and warmer light, while changing weather brings new atmospheric conditions to explore. Artists may find inspiration in the first signs of fall, the daily activity of harbor towns, boats moving across the water, or the glow of a landscape after sunset. These fleeting moments offer fresh ways to interpret familiar places across the Grand Traverse region.

Crooked Tree Arts Center invites plein air artists to apply for Paint Grand Traverse 2027 beginning Nov. 2, 2026. The festival brings accomplished painters from Michigan and across the country for a week of outdoor painting, demonstrations and special events celebrating the region’s natural beauty and creative spirit.

Participating artists will paint throughout the Grand Traverse region, creating original works inspired by its scenic shorelines, historic towns and agricultural landscapes. The festival culminates in a collection of freshly created paintings presented to the public, including the signature Fresh Paint Party, where collectors and art enthusiasts can view and purchase artwork.

As Paint Grand Traverse enters this next chapter, the September dates offer artists and audiences a new way to experience the landscapes, communities and creative spirit that make Northern Michigan distinctive.

Artists can find application information, eligibility details and updates at crookedtree.org. Additional information will also be shared via @paintgrandtraverse on Instagram.

About Paint Grand Traverse

Paint Grand Traverse is an annual plein air painting festival hosted by Crooked Tree Arts Center that brings nationally recognized artists to Northern Michigan to paint the region’s landscapes, landmarks and communities. Through exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops and community events, the festival celebrates the art of painting outdoors and the connections created through shared creative experiences.

 

 

Paint Grand Traverse announces 2027 dates; moves festival and competition to September 19-26.

Image credit: Viking Sisters Photography.