Fall Collection

Benicia Plein Air Gallery presents a year-round exhibit of work by all of our gallery artists showcasing a colorful variety of media and styles.

Drop by to see what's new! 

Carol Tarzier will be teaching Portraits from Photographs through Rossmoor Art Association.

June 6 to July 10, 10:30 am - 1:45 pm Register here

Carol has been accepted into the Sonoma Plein Air Festival, September 8-14, 2025.

Carol Tarzier

Maria SantoStefano

Maria will be in Arts Benicia "Art of a Community" 2025 exhibit, May 31 – July 20, 2025

Arts Benicia, 1 Commandant's Lane, Benicia

Public Reception: Saturday June 7, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Samantha McNally

Samantha's painting, "Arts Benicia" will be in the "Art of a Community" 2025 exhibit, May 31 – July 20, 2025

Public Reception: Saturday June 7, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Maria and Samantha have paintings in the Valley Art Gallery, March - October

1661 Botelho Drive

Walnut Creek

Maria SantoStefano and Samantha McNally 

Jessica De Jesus

Karen Leoni

MaryLou Correia

Catherine has been accepted into the Oil Painters of America 34th National Juried Exhibition at the Herrig Center for the Arts, 888 Avenue of the Arts, Bradenton, FL. May 30 - June 28, 2025

Catherine Fasciato

Marylou's painting, "Mothball Fleet" will be in the "Art of a Community" 2025 exhibit at Arts Benicia

May 31 – July 20, 2025

Karen's painting, "Incoming" will be in the Art of a Community 2025 exhibit at Arts Benicia

May 31 – July 20, 2025

Public reception: Saturday June 7, 4:00 - 6:00pm

The Benicia Plein Air Gallery is honored to announce Chris Naughton, AIA, as the featured artist for the month of June. Chris, an architect and accomplished pastel artist, will be presenting his final show at the gallery: "Reflections."

With years of experience and a profound appreciation for the arts, Chris has developed a distinctive style that captures the subtle beauty of reflections through the delicate medium of pastel. This exhibit will showcase a range of works exploring various levels of reflection—both literal and metaphorical—through vibrant colors, nuanced textures, and masterful technique. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Chris at the gallery on June 14th, 21st., and 28th An artist reception will be held on June 14th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. These events offer a special chance to engage with Chris, learn about his creative journey, and gain deeper insight into the expressive possibilities of pastel painting. Chis is retiring from the gallery in July. This final exhibition is a rare opportunity to experience the artistry of a painter and architect whose work has left a lasting impression on our community. We warmly invite you to join us throughout June to view his stunning collection.

Jessica has a painting in the "Art of a Community" 2025 exhibit, May 31 – July 20, 2025

Public Reception: Saturday June 7, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

 artist.” Jean’s work is described as soft and restful. She is currently exploring a looser, more abstract feel in her work. “I begin by trying to capture what I see, but I get to a point where it feels more about brushstrokes and color. The painting seems to develop itself and I simply try to figure out when to stop.” She has exhibited her work at Gallery 621 in Benicia for the past four years.

Jean has a home in the Benicia Arsenal area. She paints mainly in oils and enjoys hand building with ceramics.

Website: jeanpurnellart.com                      Instagram: @jeanpurnellart                     Artist Statement and Bio

Benicia Plein Air Gallery Welcomes New Member Maria P. Tuttle in July

Richmond-based BIPOC / Colombian-American artist, educator, and writer Maria Tuttle will join the Benicia Plein Air Gallery as a member artist in July 2025. Tuttle's work is deeply rooted in her personal journey, her connection to the landscape through outdoor sketching and painting, and her unwavering commitment to community empowerment through art education.

Tuttle's artistic path began in childhood, providing solace and expression after her immigration to the United States from Colombia. This personal experience fuels her understanding of art's transformative power, a vision she carries into her own artistic practice and her work with the community.

"Growing up, art was my constant companion," states Tuttle in her artist statement. "Leaving everything familiar behind after immigrating was challenging, but art became a bridge to my new home. Now, as a BIPOC / Colombian-American artist, educator, and writer, I understand the transformative power of art firsthand. Both my work with children and my personal art practice are ways of sharing the love of art and its ability to heal, connect, and empower, particularly within communities of color."

Website: mariaptuttle.com                   Instagram: @mariaptuttle_artist                Press Release

Benicia Plein Air Gallery Welcomes New Member Jean Purnell in June

“The beauty of nature creates endless inspiration for my work. I try to capture the essence of something beautiful on the canvas and to convey the refreshing sense of being outdoors. Walking has been a way of staying sane since the pandemic years, and I feel lucky to have such beautiful surroundings in Benicia and our regional parks.”

Jean Purnell moved to Benicia in 2013 after a rewarding career at the University of the Pacific. Always an art collector, she picked up the paintbrush in 2017 after joining the staff of Arts Benicia. “I have met dozens of amazing and talented artists who have supported my development as an

Oil painter Maria SantoStefano takes the Featured Artist spotlight for the month of July at the Benicia Plein Gallery with her exhibit, COLORfornia, featuring landscapes painted on location in the East Bay and beyond.

“I’m a colorist following in the expressive Bay Area plein air painting tradition of Pam Glover, Louis and Lundy Siegrist and the Society of Six.” Maria explains.
Bold, luminous color and exuberant brushwork are hallmarks of her fresh painterly style. “With very painting I try to find that sweet spot where the beauty of the scene meets the lush dimensional qualities of the oil paint itself.” Maria calls painting outdoors “an addictive pleasure.” Almost all of her work is done on location. “I feel lucky to live in California where plein air painting is a year-round-joy.”