On the weekend of 25 and 26 April 2026, the Creative Game Gallery in Berlin-Lichterfelde is organising an art competition with a total prize fund of €2,000, dedicated to plein air painting – that is, painting in the open air. The competition is open to anyone who loves to paint, regardless of age or artistic background. Plein air painting is a style in which works are created outdoors and in direct engagement with the natural and urban environment. All works created during the competition will be publicly displayed in an exhibition at the Creative Game Gallery from 2 May to 9 May 2026.
Image above: Courtesy of Galerie Creative Game
The event includes a competition open to participants of all ages and levels of artistic experience. Over the course of 24 hours, participants are invited to create artworks inspired by motifs of their own choosing from the Berlin-Lichtenberg area. This Berlin district offers a wealth of potential sources of inspiration: from historic architecture and gardens to parks, squares and distinctive urban spaces that exude a special atmosphere, particularly during the spring blossom season. Typical of the neighbourhood are the magnolia and rhododendron blossoms, as well as the almond and cherry blossoms in Lilienthal Park or along the TV Asahi Cherry Blossom Avenue. The Wilhelminian-style and Lilienthal villas, the Reiterpfuhl, the garden colonies, S-Bahn stations in the west and east, and squares such as Paulinenplatz, Kranoldplatz or Saaleckplatz, Bäkepark or the Lichterfelde Stadium can also serve as sources of inspiration for plein air painters.
Who can take part?
The event is open to both experienced artists and those who wish to discover painting for the first time or take it up again. Three categories have been created to cater for different age groups (see below).
The format of the artwork, as well as the materials and techniques used, are entirely up to you; permitted media include pencil, coloured pencil, ink, watercolour, acrylic, oil, chalk and other painting techniques.
Registration is now open, subject to a participation fee (adults 35 EUR, children and teenagers 20 EUR) (kontakt@creativegame.de). The participation fee covers, among other things, the subsequent exhibition, at which all submitted artworks will be displayed to the public.
The three competition categories
The competition comprises three categories: children (up to 12 years old), teenagers (up to 18 years old) and adults. In the children’s and teenagers’ categories, three prizes will be awarded in each, including an audience award and jury prizes. In the adults’ category, two first prizes will be awarded – an audience award and a jury prize – each worth 500 euros.
The selected works will be presented in a joint exhibition alongside works from all categories. The opening will take place on 2 May 2026 at 4.00 pm. The closing event and the awards ceremony will take place on 9 May 2026 at 4.00 pm. The People’s Choice Award will be decided by a vote held during the exhibition’s opening hours.
The prize money
En Plein Air Prizes for children up to 12 years old
1st Prize: 250 EUR (Audience Prize)
2nd Prize: 150 EUR (Jury Prize)
3rd Prize: 100 EUR (Jury Prize)
En Plein Air Prizes for Young People Aged 18 and Under
1st Prize: 250 EUR (Audience Prize)
2nd Prize: 150 EUR (Jury Prize)
3rd Prize: 100 EUR (Jury Prize)
En Plein Air Prizes for Adults
1st Prize: 500 EUR Audience Award
1st Prize: 500 EUR Jury Prize
The competition programme begins on Saturday, 25 April 2026 at 11:00 am with a briefing at the Creative Game Gallery. During this briefing, the art surfaces brought by the participants (watercolour paper, canvas, etc.) will be stamped on the reverse side to register them for the competition. Afterwards, the search for a subject begins, and participants are free to decide whether to work alone or in a group. The finished works must be handed in at the gallery the following day, Sunday 26 April 2026, between 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm.
WHEN?
Painting competition: Saturday, 25. April and Sunday, 26. April 2026
Saturday, 25. April 2026
11 am: Briefing and stamping of the canvases at the Creative Game gallery, followed by choosing a subject and starting to paint.
Sunday, 26. April 2026
Submit your work between 3 pm and 6 pm at the gallery.
Exhibition of all competition entries
Opening: Saturday 2. May 2026, at 4 pm
Opening hours: Sunday, 3. May, Friday, 8. May, Saturday, 9. May, Sunday, 10. May 2025, 11 am – 5 pm
Finissage + Awards ceremony: Saturday, 9. May 2026, 4 pm
WHERE?
Galerie Creative Game
Jägerstraße 12 A
12209 Berlin-Lichterfelde
COST?
Competition entry fee:
Adults: 35 EUR
Children and teenagers: 20 EUR
FIND OUT MORE?
