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2026 Plein Air Judges

Our esteemed judge for Professional Artists Group at the 2026 Perkins Cove Plein Air Event is Watercolorist Thomas Bucci

Thomas Bucci’s journey from graphic designer to architect to full-time artist has been an evolving creative path. His background in design and architecture influences his artistic style, adding depth and structure to his work.

My Approach to Painting
I am happiest when painting on location and directly from life. Although I like to work “en plein air,” I blend direct observation and imagination to create my own interpretation. I often move, add, or change things to suit the needs of a particular painting. Like a fisherman’s tale, I tell the story the way I’d like it to be.

Memberships:
•Salmagundi Club of New York (SCNY) Elected Artist Member
•American Impressionist Society (AIS) Signature Member
•National Watercolor Society (NWS) Signature Member
•Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA) Signature Member
•Watercolor USA Honor Society (WHS) Signature Member
•American Tonalist Society (ATS) Signature Member
•Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS) Signature Member
•Pennsylvania Watercolor Society (PWS) Signature Member & Sylvan Grouse Guild Medal
•Philadelphia Watercolor Society (PWCS) Signature Member
•Whisky Painters of America (WPA) Signature Member

Visit Thoma Bucci’s Website

And our esteemed judge for the Amateur Artists Group at the 2025 Perkins Cove Plain Air Event is John Caggiano

Olena Babak is an award-winning, classically trained artist, whose landscapes and figurative works can be found in galleries, public and private collections in the U.S. and abroad.

Some of her selected awards: Best of Show in Tilghman and St. Michaels, Easton Plein Air, Best Marine Cape Ann Plein Air, Artists Choice Plein Air Richmond, 1st place Quick Draw & People’s Choice Award Finger Lakes Plein Air, Best Representation of Rockies National Park, 1st place Booth Bay Plein Air and many others.

Her work has been featured in “Plein Air Magazine”, the “Poet’s and Artist’s: 100 Great Drawings,” and the “Classicist” as well as “Strokes of Genius” series.

Visit John Caggiano’s Website

2026 Event: The 6th Annual Plein Air Event will showcased more than 100 plein air painters

This year artists will compete for a combined $9000 in prizes!

The 2026 PRIZE CATEGORIES:

Professionals: 1st Place, 2nd Place & 3rd Place, and Amateurs: 1st Place, 2nd Place & 3rd Place. And, some special additional prize categories.

Professional Division Awards

• 1^st place $2000.
• 2^nd place $1500.
• 3^rd place $1000.

Amateur Division Awards

• 1^st place $750.
• 2^nd place $500.
• 3^rd place $300.

PLUS a special amateur award will be given: the David Lussier Gallery of Excellence Award for $250.

New Award Categories

Best use of Light $1,000. Best Depiction of Marginal Way Celebrating the 100^th year of the Marginal Way – $1,000, Quintessential Perkins Cove – $500, and a Future Generation Prize – which encourages younger artists to participate. $200.