Annual PAC Plein Air Event, 2026

2nd Annual PAC Plein Air Event, Sept. 12 & 13, 2026

Building on the success of our event last year, this has now become an annual event! A smaller but intrepid group of pastel painters met over the weekend to enjoy painting together and sharing our love of this medium.

Our first day of painting was held at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. The scenery was stunning and the weather, although overcast, was warm and wonderful. A lot of people stopped to chat with the artists and enjoy their paintings. Gail Sibley returned again as one of our demo artists to inspire us.

Later that day we met again at the private farm of Karen and Brad Scott who generously donated the use of their gazebo for our BBQ. My friends Cindy Block (chef extraordinaire) and her husband Simon Fon graciously manned the BBQ and once again fed us the most wonderful food (with lots left over for lunch the next day).

Roberta Combs was our demo artist on Day 2 and set the tone for another inspiring day of painting.

A huge Thank You goes out to our event sponsors:
Brunet Pastels, Langley, BC
https://www.instagram.com/brunet_handcrafted_pastels?utm_source=qr
Qualicum Art Supply, Qualicum Beach, BC
https://qualicumartsupply.wixsite.com/qacs
Iron Oxide Art Supply, Nanaimo, BC
https://www.ironoxideartsupplies.com/
Valley Art Supply, Comox, BC
https://valleyartsupply.ca/
Quality Foods, Qualicum Beach, BC
Save On Foods, Parksville, BC
Scott Farms, Qualicum Beach, BC
Based on the success and input from the artists this year, we will do this again. So save the date, Sept. 11 & 12, 2027 for the 3rd Annual PAC Plein Air Event.

For more info, or to let Joan know you would like to be on the mailing list, please contact:
or 250-752-0395

1st Annual PAC Plein Air Event, Sept 13 & 14th, 2025

Over 25 pastel artists converged on central Vancouver Island, B.C. for the first ever PAC Plein Air event.  Held over 2 days with painting locations in Qualicum Beach and at a private farm, it was intended to be a gathering of pastel artists in a non-competitive atmosphere.  Most of our artists were PAC members and it was a truly wonderful event with several artists coming from off-island (that's Islander speak for anywhere that isn't Vancouver Island).

On Saturday evening after a chilling windy day at the beach we gathered at a private farm to enjoy an evening of camaraderie and great food.  Artists were encouraged to share their paintings from the day and several also took advantage of the beautiful pastoral setting to keep on painting.

As fate would have it, the weather did not bode well for the next day so we switched our painting location to the farm as the gazebo was large enough to offer shelter to everyone.

In order to create this event, several people need to be thanked for their participation and donations.

Many Thanks to:

  • Demo artists Gail Sibley and Dan Gray for inspiring us each morning.
  •  To my sister and her husband, Karen & Brad Scott of Scott Farms, to opening their farm and gazebo to us.
  • To my friends Cindy Block and Simon Fon for all their work to make the BBQ so fantastic!

And Many Thanks to our event sponsors

  • Rory LeBrocq & Doree Blake from Cancor Cutting & Drilling
  • Qualicum Art & Gallery for door prizes
  • Iron Oxide Art Supplies for door prizes
  • Quality Foods

And lastly, a very special Thank You to everyone that attended.  You are the ones that made this event so special by creating an atmosphere of sharing and friendship.

See you next year!

Cheers,  Joan