Southampton Arts Center Presents Brendan Johnston: Artist-in-Residence & En Plein Air Workshops This Summer
Southampton, NY - February 23, 2026 - Southampton Arts Center (SAC) is pleased to present Brendan Johnston as its new artist-in-residence on March 7th and April 9th from 12pm - 5pm. A newly appointed board member at SAC, Johnston studied Art History at McGill University before training in drawing, painting, and sculpture at Grand Central Atelier, where he graduated in 2012. Devoted to representational painting and sculpture, with a focus on portraiture, he was featured in the BP Portrait Award in 2019, exhibiting his painting Arcus at the National Portrait Gallery, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and the Ulster Museum.
Acclaimed for his stone and terra cotta sculpture, he won First Prize from the Society of Portrait Sculptors in 2022 and First Place in the National Sculpture Society Awards Exhibition in 2025. His work has also been shown before at the SAC and the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM). In addition to his studio practice, Johnston studied landscape painting with the Hudson River Fellowship in 2011 and has painted extensively throughout Europe and the United States, exhibiting his plein air and studio landscapes in Provincetown, Boston, New York, and Southampton.
Johnston’s works on display will include “Wooldon Manor”, “Road D, Southampton”, “Hay Bales, Halsey Neck Lane”,” Dunes at Road F, Southampton”, and “Dune Pass Study.
This summer, Johnston will also teach his own En Plein Air workshop at SAC on July 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th from 9:30am-12:30pm. This class is designed for artists of all levels who want to deepen their connection to nature and develop their ability to paint outdoors.
Each 3-hour class begins with a brief demonstration and discussion (about 30 minutes), followed by focused painting time with one-on-one guidance, and will take place at nearby outdoor locations such as the SAC gardens. By the end of the course, students will have learned the basic steps and techniques necessary to create a beautiful landscape painting. All experience levels are welcome!
Working on location, students will learn how to simplify complex scenes into clear, strong compositions, quickly capture light and atmosphere during changing conditions, use color, value, and brushwork to suggest depth and space, and learn about paint layering and color mixing.
“I learned how to landscape paint years ago from a group of very talented and generous artists at the Hudson River Fellowship. Passing along the knowledge of how to paint en plein air helps to continue the wonderful tradition,” Johnston said of his passion for teaching plein air painting.
Johnston also explained his involvement at Southampton Arts Center, “Through the years I’ve loved attending art and cultural events at the SAC. I joined the board because I believe vibrant arts institutions are essential to the character of a community. SAC brings people together through exhibitions, performances, films, and education. I hope to help strengthen and expand the SAC’s impact so that Southampton continues to be a place where creativity and culture can thrive.”
To view a selection of Brendan’s artwork, please see here.
Southampton Arts Center’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
Gallery Hours:
Friday – Sunday | 12 - 5 PM
25 Jobs Lane Southampton, New York 11968
631.283.0967
southamptonartscenter.org
For media inquiries please contact Sarah Gartner, Angelica Cuddy or Couri Hay at R. Couri Hay Creative PR T: 1-212-580-0835 E: Sarah@rcourihaycpr.com | Angelica@rcourihaycpr.com | Couri@rcourihaycpr.com
ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER
Southampton Arts Center is committed to community building through the arts. We present and produce inspiring, inclusive, socially and regionally relevant programs across all disciplines – welcoming, connecting, and collaborating with the diverse members of New York’s East End community and beyond. SAC is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information about Southampton Arts Center, located at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, New York 11968, visit southamptonartscenter.org or call 631.283.0967. Follow SAC on Facebook and Instagram @southamptonartscenter. For press inquiries, contact SAC at pr@southamptoncenter.org.
This exhibition has been sponsored in part with General Operating Support by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs
###