| WelcomeInternationally acclaimed artists capture the natural beauty, character and local culture through the plein air tradition. |
A Plein Air Event Like No Other
Now in the 14th year of documenting the landscape and culture of the last vestige of authentic "Old Florida,” Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America's Great Paint-out, is among the world's most prestigious plein air events. Artistic excellence and the production of investment quality art continues to be the trademark of this 10-day festival. As the event moves into its second decade, organizers are honing what makes the Forgotten Coast event exceptional. “With plein air events popping up all over the country, we realize the importance of focusing on quality and relevance. We have developed a three year program, transcending typical event content to focus on the reason why plein air painting is important, as well as how the process and the paintings contribute to a region’s resilience,” states Event Chair Joe Taylor.
May of 2019 will focus on the natural environment as it recovers from the impact of Hurricane Michael. While each year will have a programmatic focus for the purpose of examination in the series of lectures, presentations and discussions, the collectors can be assured that the paintings will be a superb mix of subject matter and styles.
The invitational features 20 internationally acclaimed artists, as well as, four "Florida's Finest en Plein Air" artists honored as Plein Air Ambassadors. Expanded exhibits, a Collectors' Forum, distinguished guest speakers, and surprises that will be fresh and new to the plein air community are all in the making! Book your reservations early for the best rates!
2018 Commemorative Collector's Guide
2019 Guide Coming Soon!
Student Art DayHigh school students in the area look forward to Student Art Day, where students chosen by their teachers are paired with professional artists for a morning of painting and instruction.This experience of one-on-one work with an artist is unforgettable for the youth of our community, and is part of our mission of arts education through this event. Students are supplied with a canvas, paints, and brushes, and are allowed to choose their subject with their artist for the morning. This year's Student Art Day is May 9th at the Mill Pond in Apalachicola. Paintings are displayed at the Wet Room the remainder of the week, so come see what our young people are doing! Students, please contact your art teacher or principal for details! Artist ResidenciesInformation on the 2019 Residency and Exhibit are still being developed. Please check back soon for more information. Artist's Field DayWe are planning an Artist's Field Day in 2019, providing local artists an opportunity to paint along with our 2019 Residency Artist and then join her or him for wine and a debrief at the end of the day. Tickets will be limited and go online soon. More information to come soon. | QuickdrawThe 2019 Quickdraw will be held on May 4, 2019, at 9:00am, on St. George Island. The event features a wide range of exceptional subject matter sure to challenge and delight all artists. All completed work will be displayed after the Quickdraw for judging and sales. Enjoy live music and great food from one of the excellent cafes located within a short distance from the festivities. The QuickDraw Exhibit Reception will be held that evening at The Plantation on St. George Island. Tickets are not yet available Registration opens on February 19th! Artist Choice at the Maecenas EventWe're switching things up to give Maecenas first chance to see and buy Artist's Choice competition paintings. In 2019, we're changing things up for our Maecenas (Collectors above the $1000 level): we'll be giving you an opportunity for one-on-one experiences with the artists -- and their art -- while also getting early buying opportunities for the art. And we'll announce the winners of the Artist's Choice painting. The Maecenas Event will be Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Wetroom this year. Become a Maecenas to get first pick of the art produced by our incredible Forgotten Coast Invited Artists, including the paintings held back all week for the Artist's Choice competition. Buy a Maecenas Collector's Package Here - purchase at the Maecenas level Small Paintings at the GalaLooking for just the right painting at the end of the week? This year we will be debuting our small paintings at the Saturday night Gala event.This year's Gala event will be on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Since we will be announcing the Artists' Choice winning painting on Friday evening at the Maceanas event, we will debut the Small Paintings on Saturday evening. This will be your first chance to see and buy small paintings at a reasonable price. Artists will be asked to create and display special "small works" for the event. Canvases capturing the essence of the area in a smaller format--and at excellent price points--give everyone a chance to go home with a beautiful work of art. Tickets for the Gala are available buy purchasing a Collector's Package at the Friends level. Buy Gala Tickets Here - purchase at the Friends level. |
Painting Stations
If you are not a plein air painter, how would you like to be coached by a professional!? Would you like to create your own plein air painting?
Forgotten Coast en Plein Air has committed to everyone having a chance to join in the excitement of plein air painting. Even if you have never put paint to canvas, here is the opportunity. Plein Air Painting Stations will be set up in each community throughout the 10 day event. A schedule will be posted soon outlining locations and times to sign up for a session to paint your own painting. In addition, there will be "community canvases" where you can walk up and paint on your own! You will have a chance to be "coached" by one of six plein air artists representing Florida's incredible plein air talent.
Registration not yet available
Florida's Finest en Plein Air
Now in the fourth year, this special exhibition and Ambassadors program highlights the modern plein air movement in the State of Florida
Began as a special feature of our 10th Anniversary Celebration, Florida’s Finest en Plein Air is an exhibition of paintings produced in Florida by Florida plein air artists. This exhibition was first juried by Morgan Samuel Price. This year, four new Ambassadors will join the exhibition and the collection will be shown at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art.
The exhibit features a special presentation of work by Morgan Samuel Price as the original Juror; work by invited artists from Florida, past Ambassadors and featured work by the 2018 Florida's Finest Plein Air Ambassadors. The exhibit showcases the plein air paintings from Florida's great wealth of painting talent.
How Art (and Artists) Have Changed Our World
Hurricane Michael hit the Forgotten Coast with Category 4 strength and 155 mile-an-hour winds on October 10, 2018. In a few hours, the 100-mile stretch along the Gulf of Mexico was impacted in ways that will be felt for years. Amid the crews of disaster responders, Plein Air artists jumped in from afar, creating a week-long art auction (called Operation Fund Storm) that raised $111,000 for the communities affected. Artists from across the country donated 265 paintings, many of which depicted the landscape of the Forgotten Coast. The funds from art sales were donated to Franklin’s Promise Coalition, a non-profit organization that created a disaster-response education program that benefits the affected community in a myriad of ways. We are rebuilding! Our natural coastal areas are as beautiful as ever! And every day we are humbled by the generosity and talents of plein air artists and their collectors.
2018 Signature Sponsors
2018 Organizing Partner Sponsor
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2018 Event Sponsor
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2018 Sponsors
