Pop up plein air
chicago
A new project by artist Ben Argenta Kress:
Discover the vibrant world of plein air painting like never before with PUPAs—mobile easel carts that bring art to the streets of Chicago! These playful, personality-packed PUPAs roam the city, tracked online and on social media, offering artists visibility and access to essential outdoor and on-site painting materials. The PUPAs are characters in their own right, adding a burst of color and creativity to every corner they visit. Follow the journey, watch art come to life, and experience the city's landscape through the eyes of these mobile art companions!
Got questions? Send an email!
PUPA Roll Call
ALEX
Alex holds a traditional wooden plein air easel that can accomodate any board size. They have a built in fold-down chair with a side tray and their pouches have plenty of room for paint and palettes. They are best used for long sessions where you can set up and hang around for a while.
CLOVER
Clover is the most mobile PUPA of the bunch. They have plenty of room for all of your supplies as well as a strap with an 18x22" drawing board attached. Perfect for the most adventurous artists. Also the cutest PUPA for sure.
SAM
Sam is the pointiest PUPA, with dangling tendrils that transform into a tripod easel with a mounted 18x22" drawing board. They've got plenty of storage room as well as a front container that doubles as a seat. Their quick set-up is perfect for the artist looking for that perfect view.
PUPA impact map
Where have the PUPAs been? Explore our impact map for a record of the PUPA-assisted art that's being created around the city. For full features including samples of the art created view map on a desktop computer.