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! 

Maria, Samantha and Catherine have paintings in the Valley Art Gallery 

1661 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek

September 2026 to March 2027

Maria SantoStefano, Samantha McNally and Catherine Fasciato

All of us at Benicia Plein Air Gallery are honoring Jerrold Turner, Benicia artist, who passed away February 14. Jerry was the initial inspiration for our little group of plein air painters that worked in and around Benicia. He coined the name "DaGroup". He was a member of Gallery 621 in Benicia. We all have great memories and stories about his sense of humor and kind-hearted personality. We will miss him. Here are two of his paintings showcasing his diverse style and a great talent. 

Jerrold Turner

Catherine Fasciato

Oil painter Maria SantoStefano takes the Featured Artist spotlight for the Month of October at the Benicia Plein Air Gallery with her exhibit, "Golden State," featuring landscapes painted in the East Bay and beyond.

"I'm a colorist following in the expressive tradition of Pam Glover, Louis and Lundy Siegrist and the Society of Six," Maria explains. Bold, luminous color and exuberant brushwork are the hallmarks of her fresh, painterly style. "With every 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 very lucky to live in California where plein air painting is a year-round joy!"

In gratitude for beautiful Benicia and our golden state of Calfornia, and in recognition of the approaching holiday season, Maria will donate 20% of October painting sales to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Meet Maria when she hosts the gallery on Saturday October 3 and Saturday October 10 and to see more of her work, visit her website at: https://santostefano.weebly.com

Maria and Jessica are showing new paintings in the latest front gallery installation at the Epperson Gallery, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. 

1400 Pomona Street, Crockett, CA 94525. Open 11-5, Friday- Sunday. (510) 787-2925

Maria SantoStefano and Jessica de Jesus

Samantha McNally

2026 Paint Out

The Benicia Plein Air Gallery Paint Out was a smashing success. Over 40 Artists from near and far painted for a week in and around Benicia and concluded the week by displaying their best works for this one day exhibition and sale. This year's event showcased not only incredible talent but also the beauty of our surroundings, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts within our community. Thank you to all of the artists and congratulations again to all of the winners!  

During the Benicia Arts Festival, the public participated in "Paint Like Jerrold Turner" and then a winner was chosen at random from everyone who entered to win the free drawing. Congratulations to Alexia Valle, winner of the painting!  

Catherine Fasciato's painting First Light at Cypress Cove, Oil, 14"×18" was juried into the American Impressionist Society 27th Annual National Juried Exhibition.

First Light at Cypress Cove won the Award of Merit and was sold during this exhibit. 

Exhibition dates are September 4-October 3, 2026. Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, Oregon.

Jessica de Jesus

Jean Purnell's work, "Waiting for Dusk," was juried into "Arts Solano 2026" at Arts Benicia. The exhibition runs from October 24 – December 20, 2026, Glen Helfand served as Juror.

Jean Purnell

Samantha has been invited to judge the Capitola Plein Air Festival again this year. She will join a panel of three judges to choose the winners on Sunday, November 8. Come see the show! 

Karen Leoni

Karen was juried into the Annual Exhibit and Sale at the Favell Museum in Klamath Falls, OR. She has 7 pieces in this exhibition which runs from September 9 – November 30, 2026.

Micaela Marsden and JoAnn McMahon

Micaela Marsden and JoAnn McMahon will be in the group show "Plein Janes in the Light".  The exhibition consists of five Plein Air painters who have painted together for over 20 years all over the Bay Area and beyond, sharing friendship, food, wine, and the joy of painting outside for over 20 years! The reception is Sunday September 13th from 3-5pm at the Benicia Public Library 150 East L Street.  The show runs from September 5 through October 6

Iris Sabre and Catherine Fasciato

Catherine's "Dahlia" won the Founders Award at Mendocino Open Paint Out.

Iris said, "I had a wonderful time at the Mendocino Paint Out this year. The weather was amazing, sunny and warm each day. I painted 8 paintings, sold two and was honored with a prize for the Best Waterscape. "The Russian Gulch" is the winning painting. The photo was taken on site when I painted it."

Maria SantoStefano

Maria has 12 paintings hanging in Benicia City Hall in an Arts Benicia exhibit.

September 21 to December 14. 

Jessica's work "West Oakland Oasis" and other new works will be in Border Visions.The opening reception is Saturday October 3 from 2-4pm and the exhibition runs from October 24 – December 20, 2026, Glen Helfand served as Juror.