Paint Texas! Plein Air Competition and Show

Come see the newest exhibition at the Live Oak Art Center from March 21st through April 25th. This exhibition showcases work from artists local and from far away who came to Columbus for a week to paint the town En Plein Air. Plein Air painting is a unique practice that has the artist painting outside capturing what they see in the moment, with a specific emphasis on the lighting of the scene. This technique is particularly difficult as it requires the artist to paint very quickly with little time for details. Painting En Plein Air was popular amongst the impressionist artists of the early 1900's and is what lends to the fluid, dreamy style of painting.

Coming Soon:

Below, Find the Next Exhibits at the Live Oak Art Center:

St. Anthony's Catholic School
Children's Art Show

Laura Ann Rau Gallery
4/8/2026 - 4/25/2026
Artist Reception: 4/12/2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm

2026 Annual Member's Show

Emma Hay Gallery 
5/6/2026 - 6/27/2026
Artist Reception: 5/28/2025 
6:00pm - 8:00pm 

Operating in Extremes
By Erin Story

Emma Hay Gallery
7/1/2026 - 8/29/2026
Artist Reception: 7/17/2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Habitat for Humanity
Youth Art Contest and Show

Laura Ann Rau Gallery
9/2/2026 - 9/26/2026
Artist Reception: 9/8/2026
5:30pm - 7:00pm

Here Together
A Group Exhibition

Emma Hay Gallery
9//2026 - 10//2026
Artist Reception: 9//2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Nadyia Volik
A Solo Exhibition

Emma Hay Gallery
11//2026 - 12//2026
Artist Reception: 11//2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Past Exhibit 2/4/2026 - 3/14/2026

Photographers 8


Past Exhibit 12/3/2025 - 1/31/2026

Inspired by Wool
From First Steps to Inspiration


Svitlana Parks solo exhibition showcasing the unique intricacies of her work 'painting' with dyed wool has sadly come to a close. As one of our best selling artists, with over 22 pieces sold in this show alone, the Live Oak Art Center has proudly added one of her works for this show to our permanent collection--this piece is now a permanent installation in our Laura Ann Rau Gallery. Thank you Svitlana Parks, for your contributions to the Live Oak Art Center!!

Past Exhibit 10/1/2025 - 11/29/2025

Through Her Eyes


Following our 2025 Annual Members Show in the Emma Hay Gallery of the Live Oak Art Center is a Photography Exhibition by Diane Mueller. This show displayed prints of photos that Diane took throughout her work as a professional photographer and during her travels across the country and abroad.

Past Exhibit 8/6/2025 - 9/27/2025

2025 Member's Art Show 


Every year, the Live Oak Art Center hosts an annual Member's Show in which any current member may submit up to three pieces of their artworks. Our 2025 Members Show is now over but we loved having this astounding 78 piece exhibit showcasing 26 of our amazing members. Thank you so much to those who participated and supported us; see you again next year!!

Past Exhibit 7/1/2025 - 8/06/2025

Permanent Collection


The Previous Exhibit displayed in the Emma Hay Galley, before the 2025 Annual Member's Show, was a group of works pulled from our Permanent Collection. These are paintings that we have purchased or otherwise acquired throughout the Live Oak Art Center's time in the Brunson Building. Most often, an exhibit created from our Permanent Collection is composed of paintings depicting Columbus--this show was no exception.