Brushes and Blooms

Brushes & Blooms is a collaborative arts and garden weekend held in the Amana Colonies that brings together plein air artists, visitors, gardeners, and local businesses for a celebration of art and place. The event combines two existing traditions: • Fresh Paint Plein Air – Artists from around the region come to Amana to paint outdoors over several days, capturing landscapes, architecture, and village life. Artists register in advance and work throughout the villages and surrounding countryside. • Colonies in Bloom – A community-wide garden celebration where residents and businesses highlight gardens, flowers, and outdoor spaces throughout the Colonies. During the event, visitors can explore the villages, watch artists painting on location, visit gardens, and interact with artists as work is created. The weekend concludes with the Brushes & Blooms Art Party & Awards, where completed plein air works are displayed and available for purchase. Awards are presented, and the event serves as both a community gathering and a fundraising opportunity for the Amana Arts Guild. The event takes place across the seven villages of the Amana Colonies, with the Art Party & Awards serving as the culminating gathering.