Experience the gorgeous rolling hills and vibrant color of Missouri Wine Country in nature and on canvas from April 24th to May 3rd at the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival. Each year, Augusta welcomes visitors to relax and witness the tradition of Plein Air, carried out by over 100 artists. Visitors flock to the rolling hills of Historic Missouri Wine Country as it is skillfully captured on canvas, and have the opportunity to purchase the works created at this festival. Following the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival, the Augusta Chamber of Commerce creates college scholarships from the proceeds, which are awarded to local seniors.
When you stay in Saint Charles, Missouri, Historic Missouri Wine Country is just a short drive away. Plan to spend a day or two exploring restaurants, shops, and history at Historic Main Street, St. Charles, as well as other St. Charles attractions, and then extend your stay to take advantage of the vast views and great wines of the famous viticultural region.
Augusta is in the heart of Historic Missouri Wine Country, and is federally recognized as the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1980. Founded in 1836, the town of Augusta is a short drive from St. Louis, and a treasured getaway by many. The gorgeous countryside is dotted with vineyards, guest houses, and bed & breakfasts, which host visitors looking to escape their day-to-day, and offer a superb option for those looking to make a multi-day trip of the festival. The towns of Augusta and Defiance have a family-friendly, community atmosphere, and visitors will find that the local businesses and restaurants welcome them with open arms.
While you're in the area for the festival, take a break from observing art in the making to enjoy food, wine, and fantastic views at the wineries where the festival is taking place. Enjoy Italian appetizers with great Missouri wine at Balducci Vineyards, Missourian's Readers' Choice Award for Best Winery for 16 years. Mount Pleasant Estates is the oldest winery in Augusta, Missouri, and the historic signing place of America's first AVA (American Viticultural Area). Make sure to try their Cabernet Sauvignon, awarded "Gold" at the World Wine Championships.
Noboleis Vineyards is a family-owned and run vineyard, with exceptional wines. Enjoy a wine flight in their hilltop pavilion, and order pizza and other appetizers off their menu, or feel free to bring your own picnic to enjoy with Noboleis beverages.
The "Quick Paint" event is a fan-favorite event at Augusta Plein Air, and this year it will take place at Noboleis Vineyards on April 26th. "Quick Paint" starts at the sound of a horn at 10 AM, at which point Artists have just 2 hours to create their masterpieces, and must put down their brushes at 12:30 PM.
Multiple workshops throughout the event allow painters at a variety of skill levels a chance to take part in art-making at the festival. Each session is taught by an expert plein air painter, and topics include "Beautiful Landscapes" with Farley Lewis, "Framing - How to Tricks of the Trade" with Jamie Green, and more. The workshop schedule can be found online. And don't miss "Breakfast with Alpacas," with The Midwest Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. At this family-owned farm in Defiance, Missouri, artists will be able to paint not only the breathtaking views of the farm but the antics and beauty of their fun-loving alpacas.
At the conclusion of the festival, visitors get to celebrate the festival's winning artists and shop paintings created during the duration of the festival during the Augusta Plain Air Art Festival Art Fair & Awards Ceremony. Browse beautiful works of plein air artwork in Augusta's town square, as 75+ artists display their new creations. The fair is a vibrant celebration with fun for the whole family, complete with live music, children's activities, and scholarship announcements.
Augusta Plein Air is a locally-loved festival, and each year both artists and tourists flock to the region to take part in the idyllic beauty of wine country and witness art in the making. Whether you're a wine lover, art collector, or looking for a unique way to spend a beautiful spring weekend in Historic Missouri Wine Country, we think you'll love this laid-back art festival in the rolling hills of Augusta, Missouri.
