ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida – Artists and art aficionados are invited to experience the 8th Annual St. Augustine Plein Air Paint Out, hosted by the St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA). This five-day event features an array of locations in the nation’s oldest city, with historic buildings, Spanish moss-draped streets, and stunning landscapes. The Plein Air Paint Out begins April 24th and continues through April 28th. The event’s last day also features a Pop-up Exhibit at the St. Augustine Yacht Club.
Painting en plein air is a part of St. Augustine’s rich art history. The activity, generally attributed to the Romantic landscape painter John Constable, became fundamental to French Impressionism around the year 1860. Florida railroad magnate and Standard Oil co-founder Henry Flagler introduced plein air to St. Augustine by bringing in artists across the country.
Artists Eric and Nikki Rakov enjoy the allure of plein air painting in St. Augustine, “The event gives us the unique opportunity to create art in an environment that has rich history and visual treasures. As we are putting paint on canvas, artists are also absorbing all the sights, sounds, smells, and tactile sensations happening in all parts of the Ancient City. We like to think that manifests itself somehow into the work.”
The St. Augustine Plein Air Paint Out begins April 24th and continues through April 28th. Artists can select from a host of locations, including quaint streets like Aviles and Charlotte Streets, historic landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos and the Peña-Peck House, and coastal beaches on Anastasia Island. During the St. Augustine Plein Air Paint Out, works-in-progress and finished paintings can be stored, viewed, and purchased online and in-gallery at the Plein Air Wet Room. Artists may select one work for display at the Plein Air Pop-Up Exhibit at the St. Augustine Yacht Club on April 28, 2024. Submissions will be judged in-person for awards, with Best in Show winning $1,000. Artists must be 18 years or older to join the St. Augustine Plein Art Paint Out. Registration is $55 for STAAA members and $80 for non-members. For more event information or to register, visit here.
The Plein Art Paint Out is partially-funded by grants from the St. Johns Cultural Council, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, and Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Photos for the release are here.
ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION – The St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA), located at 22 Marine Street in downtown St. Augustine, Florida, is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting excellence in the arts since 1924. STAAA supports the vibrant arts community in St. Augustine and preserves its rich artistic heritage and culture. Through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, educational programs, and outreach, STAAA fosters a creative and accessible environment for artists of all backgrounds and skill levels. Their permanent collection includes works by the founding members, known as the ‘Lost Colony’ artists. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12pm to 4pm, and admission is free. For more information, visit www.staaa.org, and follow along on Facebook @StAugArtAssoc and Instagram @staugartassoc
