Plein Air Painters of America bring “Heart of America” national exhibition to Maynard Dixon Country

The Plein Air Paint­ers of America (PAPA) will present its 2026 National Exhibition & Sale, “Heart of Amer­ica,” at the historic Maynard Dixon Sum­mer Home & Studio, hosted by the Thun­derbird Foundation for the Arts. The ex­hibition is part of a broader celebration of America’s 250th anni­versary, honoring the nation’s landscapes through the work of today’s leading plein air painters.

Opening with a Pa­tron’s Preview on Fri­day, May 15, 2026, and a Public Opening on Saturday, May 16, the exhibition will feature more than 100 original works created by 39 of the nation’s top plein air painters.

The show will remain on view through July 6, 2026, offering visi­tors a rare opportunity to experience muse­um-quality landscape painting in one of the most iconic locations in the American West.

“Heart of Ameri­ca” brings together paintings inspired by landscapes across the United States-captur­ing the light, color, and character of the coun­try at a moment when the nation is reflecting on 250 years of history and identity. Many works are created en plein air (painted out­doors on location), con­tinuing a tradition that connects directly to the legacy of Maynard Dixon himself.

Nearly all PAPA Sig­nature Members - an invitation-only group of distinguished art­ists - are expected to participate, with many in attendance during opening weekend.

“Plein Air Paint­ers of America is the nation’s longest run­ning, premier outdoor painting group,” said John Lintott, PAPA’s board president. “We hope that collectors will join us for this spectacular exhibition, showcasing original landscapes from across America, all within the setting of Maynard Dixon’s historic home and studio in Mount Carmel, Utah, east of Zion National Park.”

Set beneath the red cliffs of southern Utah, the Maynard Dixon Summer Home & Stu­dio is one of the most iconic and historically significant art sites in the American West - and a rare opportunity for media to cover a national exhibition in the very place that helped define Western landscape painting. As Dixon’s final summer home and creative sanctuary, the prop­erty remains largely unchanged, offering a living backdrop where today’s top plein air painters are creating and exhibiting work in direct conversation with his legacy.

Opening weekend events

• Patron’s Preview: Friday, May 15, 5 - 8 p.m.

• Public Opening & Wet Paint Sale: Sat­urday, May 16, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Freshly completed “wet paintings” will debut at noon.

These events offer collectors and art en­thusiasts the chance to meet artists, view new work, and purchase original paintings in a uniquely immersive setting.

Following the exhi­bition opening, PAPA will host a five-day immersive workshop (May 18-22) in part­nership with the Scott­sdale Artists’ School. Led by nationally rec­ognized instructors, Kathleen Dunphy, Mi­chael Obermeyer, Eric Jacobsen and Chris Morel, the workshop is open to artists of all skill levels and provides hands-on ex­perience painting in the same landscapes that inspired May­nard Dixon. For registration, visit scott­sdaleartschool.org/events/408/

The Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts preserves and celebrates the legacy of Maynard Dixon and the art of the American West. Located on his­toric U.S. Route 89 in Mt. Carmel, Utah, the Foundation’s gallery and grounds provide a one-of-a-kind setting for exhibitions, work­shops and cultural events rooted in the Western landscape tradition.