Where Art Meets the Mountains: Celebrating World Art Day in Big Bear Lake
Big Bear is Celebrating World Art Day & All are Invited!
The Public is invited to view some amazing artists and artwork!
April 18th, 12PM - 5PM Village Paint Out Artists will be painting the Village! You are welcome to stroll through and watch an artist put the Village to Canvas!
April 19th, 10AM - 2PM Attend the Gallery Artists will Show/Sell their work. Destination Big Bear, 713 Stocker Rd, BBL
Artists are invited to be our guest in Big Bear!
- Village Paint-Out & A Nocturne Demo with Danny Folkman
- Morning Plein Air Workshop with Marilyn Froggatt
- No Commission Gallery
- And, because it’s Big Bear...a Campfire Social
- The entire lineup at no cost in celebration of you the Artist
There’s more...We’ve lined up some incredible lodging, graciously discounted...starting with the new lodge on the block; the Burgundy...in their words, “Your Funktastic Escape to a Playful Yesterday," Sessions Retreat, and The Outpost All three are an artist refuge.
(Lodging Promo Codes provided at Registration)
An Artist Retreat from the Events to the Lodging!
World Art Day is an international celebration of the fine arts which was declared by the International Association of Art (IAA) in order to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide. The date was decided in honor of the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci on April 15th. Da Vinci was chosen as a symbol of world peace, freedom of expression, tolerance, brotherhood and multiculturalism.
Event Date, Time & Place
Saturday, April 18
- Morning Plein Air Workshop with Marilyn Froggatt (15 Max, Waitlist Applies
REGISTRATION - MARILYN FROGGATT WORKSHOP
- Paint Out - The Village, Big Bear Lake & The Nocturne Demo with Danny Folkman (No Max)
REGISTRATION - PAINT-OUT DANNY NOCTURNE DEMO
Sunday, April 19
- World Art Day Big Bear Pop-Up Gallery (50 Artist Max) Show/Sell Your Artwork @ No Commission, Register and Read Submittal Rules Here.
2025 Plein Air Art Competition Winners
Artists have painted, judges have decided - now it's time to admire the
work of art that is 2025's Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition!
We hope to see you next year!
Honorable Mention & People's Choice
Renowned & Distinguished Judges
John Budicin
Born in Rovigno, Italy (now Croatia) and raised in Rome before immigrating to California, John Budicin is a distinguished plein air artist known for his exceptional command of light and atmosphere. His oil paintings reflect a timeless dedication to the landscapes he loves - from California's rugged coast to the tranquil countryside of Tuscany.
A Signature Member and past President of the Plein-Air Painters of America, Budicin also holds Signature status with the California Art Club, Oil Painters of America, and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. His paintings have been exhibited at premier institutions including the Autry Museum of the American West, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum at Pepperdine University, the Irvine Museum, and the Haggin Museum, among many others.
John's group exhibitions across the United States, and his work is represented in esteemed private and public collections such as Mission San Juan Capistrano and the Joan Irvine smith Collection. His artistry has been recognized with top honors from leading national exhibitions - including First Place awards from the California Art Club, Oil Painters of America, and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.
John is known for his devotion to painting outdoors nearly everyday, he continues to inspire fellow artists with his commitment to truth, beauty, and the ever-changing dance of light in the landscape. We are honored to welcome the distinguished John Budicin as a judge for this year's Plein Air Big Bear Competition. A passionate educator, Budicin has shared his plein air expertise through workshops through the U.S. and internationally, leading artists to paint on location in Italy, China, and beyond. His Insights and techniques have been featured in leading art publications such as PleinAir Magazine, Southwest Art, American Artist, and Art of the West.
Diane Moore
A passionate and accomplished watercolor and acrylic artist whose work celebrates the natural world in all its variety. Since taking up painting in 2003, Diane has dedicated herself to exploring landscapes, seascapes, florals, western scenes, and figurative subjects, often painting en plein air to capture the essence and vitality of her surroundings.
After a 30-year career in commercial real estate, Diane embraced her creative calling, studying with both local and nationally recognized instructors. She has since become leader in the Coachella Valley art community, serving as Past President of the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society and Past President of the Desert Art Center. Her commitment to fostering artistic grwoth also led her to co-found the Desert Plein Air Association, a nonprofit organization promoting plein air painting and hosting an annual festival that draws artists from across the nation.
Diane has traveled extensively to paint on location, including in Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California, and Italy, bringing each landscape to life with her distinctive blend of watercolor, acrylic, and ink techniques. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, is included in private collections, and is proudly displayed in the Coachella Valley History Museum.
For Diane Painting is more than a practice - it is a connection to nature, creativity, and the human experiences. Through her work and advocacy, she inspires both artists and audiences to engage deeply with the world around therm. We are honored to welcome the dedicated and imaginative Diane Moore as a judge for this year's Plein Air Big Bear Competition.
Lisa Mozzini-McDill
An award-winning Southern California artist whose plein air landscapes and expressive oils capture both the beauty of the natural world and the emotion it inspires. Her Paintings reflect a harmonious blend of realism and painterly freedom - compositions alive with light, movement, and meaning.
Lisa, a graduate of San Diego State University with Honors and Distinction in Art, Lisa began her career as a graphic artist, illustrator, and portrait painter before dedicating herself fully to fine art. Today she works primarily in oil, creating evocative plein air studies, larger studio works, and commissioned portraits. She has continued her artistic development through mentor-ships and workshops with renowned artists including John Budicin, Ken Auster, Michael Obermeyer, and Joseph Todorovitch.
Her artwork has earned recognition from many of the region's most prestigious art organizations. Recent honors include First Place in LPAPA's Paint Hotel Laguna, the Fine Art Connoisseur Award at the 25th LPAPA Invitational, and multiple awards from the California Art Club and Oil Painters of America. Her Paintings have been featured in Southwest Art, PleinAir Magazine, Bold Journey, and Orange County's Best.
A dedicated teacher and mentor, shares her knowledge through workshops, public demonstrations, and private instruction at her studio and The Artistry. She is a Signature Member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and an Artist Member of the California Art Club. Guided by a love of light and instinct for emotion storytelling, Lisa Seeks to create paintings that not only depict a scene but invite the viewer to feel it. We are delighted to welcome the talented Lisa Mozzini-McDill as a judge for this year's Plein Air Big Bear Competition.
Plein Air Registration
2026 Registration To Be Announced. . .
Thank you for your interest the Plein Air Competition in Big Bear Lake! Please read the following information carefully to ensure a successful registration. For additional information please contact pleinairbigbear@gmail.com or call 909-375-1805.
Final Registration Details
- Make your payment of the $50 Registration Fee
- Have your blank substrates (canvas/panel/board/paper) stamped, PRIOR to painting. No unstamped art will be accepted.
- You may have ten (10) blank substrates stamped but no more than one (1) can be submitted for the competition.
- Once your final registration is complete you will receive an email confirming your place in the competition.