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Joseph McGurl

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2026 Laguna Invitational award winning painting by Joe McGurl
LPAPA Signature Artist Joseph McGurl
Cataumet, MA
JosephMcGurl.com

Joseph McGurl is one of America’s leading landscape painters.  He has been designated a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center, is a signature member of the Plein Air Painters of America, an elected member of the Guild of Boston Artists,  was a Copley Master with the Copley Society of Boston, a past fellow of the American Society of Marine Artist, and has won significant awards for his artwork.   He is represented by some of the finest galleries nationally, and his work hangs in prominent museums and collector’s homes.  Additionally, he has been the subject of numerous book and magazine articles, and he conducts workshops and presents lectures throughout the country.

Invited LPAPA Gallery Artist – The Invitational Legacy: Then & Now – June 2026
8th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational “Peoples’ Choice” Best in Show Award – 2006

Joseph Paquet

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Golden Hour, Main Beach by Joe PaquetLPAPA Signature Artist Joseph Paquet
St. Paul, Minnesota
JoePaquet.com

Joseph Paquet was born in 1962 in Patterson New Jersey to hard-working parents of immigrant stock. His father Jim was a railroad man, working as an ironworker, dock builder & mason that also painted and carved wood and stone. His mother Theresa was a homemaker and craftsperson who sewed and knitted.

His childhood was one of being outdoors: wondering, wandering and daydreaming.

“It’s a great irony to now get paid for those things which got me into trouble when I was a kid,” Joe says.

He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and credits artist-instructors John Foote, David Palladini, James McMullan with inspiring his deep love of drawing.

Paquet’s philosophy is one rooted in deep connection and sensitivity to his subjects.

He says, “Because I work directly from nature, each painting is a chunk of my life – a piece of me and record of my experience on this earth.”

Honorable Mention Award – 2nd Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2000
Artists’ Choice Award – 3rd Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2001
Invited Artist – 4th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2002
Invited Artist – 6th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2004
Fine Art Connoisseur Award – 8th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2006
Best in Show “Collectors’ & Artists’ Choice” Award – 9th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2007
Southwest Art Magazine “Quick Draw” Award – 10th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2008
Invited Artist – 20th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – October 2018
Invited Gallery Artist – The Invitational Legacy: Then & Now – June 2026

10th Annual Waterworks – 2026 Award Winners

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10th Annual Waterworks Art Show 2026

GO TO ARTSY TO VIEW THE SHOW

LPAPA Presents: The 10th Annual “Waterworks” Juried Watercolor Show

The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), with the support of the Joe Hanks Van Cleave Foundation for the Arts, proudly presents the 10th Annual “Waterworks” Juried Watercolor Art Show, featuring original plein air and studio work created with transparent watercolors by LPAPA Signature and Artist Members. We’re delighted to have Mark Hilbert, Founder of the Hilbert Museum, return as our 2026 Awards Judge.

Exhibition Timeline:

  • Online Launch & Preview Auction: Monday, May 4, 2026. 10AM
  • Gallery Opening: Thursday, May 7, 2026, 1PM
  • Public Reception (Art Walk): Thursday, May 7, 2026, 6-9PM (Free Entry)
  • Show Closes: Monday, June 1, 2026

First Place Award 2026 10th Annual Waterworks

2nd Place Award. LPAPA's 10th Annual Waterworks Show

3rd Place Award LPAPA's 10th Annual "Waterworks" Art Show

Honorable Mention, LPAPA's 10th Annual "Waterworks" Art Show

Supporting Artistry and Legacy: Through the sale of artwork, you directly benefit the participating artist and empower nonprofit LPAPA to fulfill its mission. LPAPA is committed to painting the landscape, preserving Laguna’s century-old artistic legacy, and enhancing the livelihoods of its artist members. We strive to inspire the next and future generations of plein air painters to carry this tradition forward!

Be part of the plein air painting legacy. Become a LPAPA Member!

This annual show is proudly presented at the

LPAPA Gallery in Laguna BeachLPAPA Gallery
414 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Hours are 11AM to 5PM, Thursday through Monday, or by appointment
Gallery Hours modified for First Thursdays Art Walk each month, 1PM – 9PM
Phone (949) 376-3635 or Email Gallery@LPAPA.org

For inquiries, please contact LPAPA at 949-376-3635 or Gallery@LPAPA.org
For information about becoming a LPAPA Member, click here: Join LPAPA
Follow #LPAPA #LagunaBeach #Watercolors #PleinAir #LPAPAgallery

LPAPA's 2026 Waterworks Award Winners Banner2026 Award Winner image collage above. Click here to visit LPAPA’s Award Archives.