The final awards of the 23rd Augusta Plein Air Art Festival were announced on Saturday, May 2, the closing day of the 10-day outdoor event. All art at the festival is created outdoors, or “plein air,” rain or shine, day and night. This year’s beautiful spring views inspired some winning creations.
The final awards were announced by Ann Struckhoff and Cindy Kedroski, Co-Chairs of the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival. Ann thanked the 109 artists, including 39 new participants, from across 15 states. Ann explained that this is a phenomenal community event that relies on the support of Augusta and the surrounding communities to make it happen.
Twenty-three community businesses or members hosted each of the “Paint-Out” events or workshops. The committee thanked the sponsors and donors who supported the festival's operations. They also thanked the advertisers who placed ads in the Plein Air booklet, the judges, the 58 host families who opened their homes to artists, and Ebenezer UCC in Augusta for the pancake breakfast for artists and the community.
A special thanks to all the buyers, browsers, and those who came out to watch the artists. The money raised from this festival supports the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce's work to promote a healthy cultural and economic community. This includes awarding educational scholarships to local students seeking higher-level education; see page 13 for this year's recipients. They are also partnering with the Augusta Heritage Foundation to celebrate Augusta's rich cultural history of art and music.
The committee expressed gratitude for the community's hospitality and generosity, which play a major role in the Augusta Plein Air Festival's continuing success each year.
The Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the 2026 committee members who made this possible: Ann Struckhoff, Cindy Kedroski, Ranko Radoman, and JoAnn Milster.
Overall winners (L-R)
People's Choice Award sponsored by Noboleis Vineyards:
Craig Thomas for "The Fever";
Best of Show Award sponsored by Hoffmann Family of Companies:
Ken Hartman for "The Cliff at Klondike";
Artist's Choice Award sponsored by Defiance Ridge Vineyards:
Jimmy Navarro for "Augusta Morning."
Acrylic Winners (L-R)
Honorable Mention: Tracy Parkhurst "Windswept Barn"
1st place: Jimmy Navarro "Augusta Morning" and 3rd place: "Spring Arrives On Kessler Farm"
2nd place: Craig Thomas "Hill"
Oil Winners (L-R)
3rd place: Gino Santa Maria "Whispering Light"
2nd place: Derek Fox "Femme Osage Graveyard, April Morning"
Honorable Mention: Paul Schaefer "John"
1st place: Troy Tatlock "Unattended"
Honorable Mention: April Burris "The Hope Of A New Day"
Pastel Winners (L-R)
3rd place: Susan Rogers "Catfish"
2nd place: Chris Behrs "Klondike Park Quarry" and
1st place: "View From The Patio" Mt. Pleasant Ests.
Honorable Mention: Brent O'Connor "Vine To Wine"
Watercolor Winners (L-R) Above:
Honorable Mention: Kathy Morrison "View From Mt. Pleasant"
1st place: Ken Hartman "The Cliff At Klondike"
3rd place: Jay Kell "Thunderhead"
2nd place: Denny Dowdy "Morning In Augusta"