An impressionistic painting of a boat docked on a river with city buildings and clock tower in the background, reflecting in the water.

Paint out Party & art Sales

“Riverboat Twilight at the Port”

Lyudmila Tomova Clark

2025 Grand Prize

Info for Artists
What is a Paint Out?
Meet the Artists COMING SOON

2026 Friday paint out Party & Art Sale

Celebrate art and Dubuque! Enjoy conversations with artists.

Food, drinks, and live music!

Ticketed Admission

Save the Date!

DATE/LOCATION

Friday, 25 September, 2026
6:00-9:00PM
Steeple Square | 101 E. 15th St., Dubuque, IA

2026 Saturday Art Sale

The party and sale continue! New art continues to be hung on Saturday

Food Vendors
Live Music

Free Admission

Save the Date!

DATE/LOCATION

Saturday, 26 September, 2026
9:00AM-4:00PM
Steeple Square | 101 E. 15th St., Dubuque, IA

2026 Sale of Prior Works!

Steeple Square will be hung with artists’ works completed prior to our 2026 paint out. Become familiar with artists’ styles and perhaps buy an early painting.

Quick Paint and Nocturne Paintings will be hung for viewing (not for sale).

Date/location

TBD
Steeple Square | 101 E. 15th St., Dubuque, IA

People browsing artwork at Steeple Square gallery in Dubuque, IA with stained glass windows and high vaulted ceilings during the Bluff Strokes annual Paint Out.

VENUE

We are so fortunate to partner again with Steeple Square. The Steeple Square Community Event Center offers a unique setting for our event. In fact, it’s a work of art itself. Enjoy the beautifully renovated space while you enjoy friends, meet the artists, and shop for original art.

PAST WINNERS

A woman painting on a canvas set up outdoors on a city sidewalk with cars driving by in the background.
A man wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a vest, and jeans standing outside a brick building, looking at a display of small items on a wooden table. There are signs on the wall, including one with rules about skateboarding, bicycle riding, rollerbladi
A photographer in a red hoodie and black pants standing outside in an empty parking lot, capturing the large red brick church with two tall steeples topped with crosses during the day.
A man wearing a straw hat and navy jacket standing in front of a tall cornfield, working on a wooden easel with a canvas or paper during the Bluff Strokes annual plein air Paint Out.
A man in a straw hat and striped shirt painting on a canvas set on an easel outdoors near the Mississippi River, surrounded by trees and greenery during the Bluff Strokes annual plein air Paint Out.
A woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and checkered shirt painting a landscape scene on an easel, with a bridge and the Mississippi River in the background.
A person with gray hair wearing a blue jacket and brown shorts is standing outdoors, painting on an easel in a park-like setting with green grass, trees, and a stone bridge in the background under a clear sky.
People browsing artwork at Steeple Square in Dubuque, Iowa, a church turned art gallery with high, arched ceilings and stained glass windows during the Bluff Strokes annual plein air Paint Out patron party.
A man with gray hair wearing a black leather jacket stands in front of framed paintings at an art gallery. The paintings depict rural scenes, including a red vehicle, a group of people in a field, and a landscape with horses.
Two women viewing paintings at an art gallery, one pointing at a painting, with additional artworks displayed around them.
A female artist paints on a canvas at an indoor theater with an orchestra performing on stage below.
View of an ornate theater balcony with two men working with lights and equipment.
A young girl with long blonde hair smiling and holding a framed photograph of a bridge and cityscape at night that she purchased at the annual Bluff Strokes plein air Paint Out art sale.
Art exhibit with various landscape paintings and portraits displayed on a wall at an indoor gallery with spotlights and church-like architecture.
People viewing art at the annual Bluff Strokes plein air Paint Out at Steeple Square in Dubuque, Iowa, with framed paintings on the walls and booths in the background.
A man and woman at an art gallery, looking at framed artworks on the wall; the man is pointing at one piece while holding a drink, the woman is holding a drink.
Group of people at a social event or conference in a well-lit room with large windows, some holding papers and engaging in conversation.
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