Look Out for Art - Plein Air Paint Out and Schedule

From May 8 to 18, Gulf and Franklin counties will play host to 20 distinguished guests. The Plein Air Paint Out is returning to the coast and 20-some exceptionally talented painters will spend 10 days documenting the beauty that we enjoy every day.

En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.

Artists have long painted outdoors, but in the mid-1800s working in natural light became particularly important to the Barbizon school and Impressionism. The popularity of painting en plein air increased in the 1870s with the introduction of paints in tubes (resembling modern toothpaste tubes). Previously, each painter made their own paints by grinding and mixing dry pigment powders with linseed oil.

It was during this period that the "Box Easel," typically known as the French Box Easel, was invented. It is uncertain who developed it first, but these highly portable easels, with telescopic legs and built-in paint box and palette, made treks into the forest and up the hillsides less onerous. Still made today, they remain a popular choice even for home use since they fold up to the size of a brief case and thus are easy to store.

During Plein Air Paint-Out, the historic Cotton Exchange building on Water Street in Apalachicola will act as a wet room - a gallery where paintings are placed on display before they dry - for the newly created art.

Numerous demonstrations and other events will be open to the public throughout the ten day period. To obtain more information, call 800-378-8419.

Flyers detailing the activities are available in shops across both counties and from the local chambers of commerce.

If you notice one of our visiting painters, don't be afraid to say hello. Take time to watch art happen right here in the Florida Panhandle.

Artists will be painting scenes from Mexico Beach, Windmark, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island, Carrabelle, and inland at Wewahitchka. Activities listed below are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. All times are Eastern, except for events scheduled in Mexico Beach, which is in the Central time zone.

Richard Bickel Studio, Apalachicola, 1-2 pm
May 13 Student Art Day, Lafayette Park, luncheon to follow at the Wefing-Knight House,  Apalachicola, 10-1 pm
May 13 Visions and Voices, Apalachicola Museum of Art, 7 pm
May 14 Art Tete-e-tete & Wine Tasting, Prickly Pears, Mexico Beach, 4-7 pm CENTRAL
May 15 Wine and Cheese Social, Sea Oats Gallery, St. George Island, 5-7 pm
May 16 Plein Air TGIF, relax Friday afternoon with a view, Gulf County TDC Welcome Center, Port St. Joe, 5:30-8:30 pm
May 17 The Grand Patron's Party, debut of artist's choice paintings, Historic Cotton Exchange, Apalachicola, $40 Ticket, $75 Couple, 6:30-10:30 pm
May 18 Art in the Afternoon, entertainment, children's art activities, Veteran's Park, Apalachicola, 11-5 pm

Artist Demonstrations

May 9

Reid Avenue Streetscapes, downtown Port St. Joe, 2-4 pm
May 10 Artsfest, WindMark Village Center, 2-4 pm
May 10 A Working Waterfront, Veteran's Park, Apalachicola, 9-11am & 2-4 pm
May 11 View of the Bay, That Place on 98, Eastpoint, 2-4 pm
May 14 Breathtaking Beach Vistas, City Pier, Mexico Beach, 2-4 pm CENTRAL
May 15 Reconstruction of the St. George Island Lighthouse, Franklin County TDC Visitor Center, St. George Island, 2-4 pm
May 17 Salt Air Farmer's Market, Port St. Joe, 9-11 am
May 17 New Urban Places, WindMark Village Center, 2-4 pm
May 17 A Working Waterfront, Veteran's Park, Apalachicola, 9-11 am & 2-4 pm
May 18 Art in the Afternoon, Veteran's Park, Apalachicola, 11 am-3 pm

Schedule of Events

May 9-18

 Watch Art Happen, artists paint throughout the region
May 10-18 Wetroom Exhibit, art viewing and sales, Historic Cotton Exchange, Apalachicola, daily 11-5 pm
May 10-17 St. Joe Collection, public plein air exhibition, Tower Gallery, WindMark Village Center, daily 12-5 pm
May 12-16 Plein Air Classics, an exhibit of private collection paintings, Gulf County TDC Welcome Center, daily 9-5 pm

Event Highlights