Eton En Plein Air
The Eton Arts Week is back for 2026. Once again, the En Plein Air competition is kicking off the week, and you could take part!
Enter today to secure your place for Saturday 23rd May 2026.
The art you create will be exhibited at the Austen-Leigh and Baldwin institute until late afternoon of Monday 25th May 2026.
En Plein Air
The Eton En Plein Air competition offers a distinctive opportunity for artists to work within a landscape rich in heritage and architectural character. Selected painting sites embrace both “town and gown” and will highlight the bicentenary of the Glorious Majority defeating the Eton Inclosure Bill , while participating artists will also enjoy exclusive access to notable Eton College locations, including Cannon Yard and School Yard. Access to these areas will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your portfolio by painting the beautiful views and buildings of Eton, the Thames, Windsor Castle and more.
On the day, registration for artists opens at 08.00, with the competition starting at 09.00. The work needs to be complete by 16.00 and it will then go on display at the Austen-Leigh and Baldwin Institute until late Monday 25th May.
Judging and Prizes
Our panel of judges will inspect the submissions once they are all displayed at the Austen-Leigh and Baldwin Institute. There will be an awards ceremony at 18.00 when the winner of Eton En Plein Air 2026 will be announced, along with second and third prize winners. The prize pots are £1,000 for First Prize, £500 for Second Prize and £250 for Third Prize.
The Judging Panel
Lady Coleridge
Rachel Barker
Rachel Barker
Soozy Barker
Ed Farley
Read more about our judges
Exhibition and Sale
The exhibition with the art from Eton En Plein Air will be open on Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May with the opportunity for the general public to vote for the People’s Choice award as well as to buy some of the art on display.
The result of the Public’s Choice award will be announced on our website and social media on Tuesday 26th May.
How to Apply
To sign up to Eton En Plein Air 2026 you need to fill in the Entry Form which you can access through the blue button below.
The application form includes the opportunity to apply for three locations, in order of preference. Full information on the locations for Eton En Plein Air is available in the Eton En Plein Air 2026 Artist Information Pack which you’ll get to by clicking the orange button below.
The fee to take part in Eton En Plein Air is £50, payable by BACS as part of the sign-up process. Spaces are limited and locations will be allocated by the committee.
Please read through the Artist Information Pack before filing your entry.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Eton!
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