Plein Air Paint Out showcases outdoor artwork in St. Augustine’s historic district

Renee Unsworth
·4 min read
Artist Jacqueline Phaff-Pratt paints the detached colonial kitchen on the grounds of the Oldest House Museum Complex during the 7th annual Plein Air Paint Out.
Artist Jacqueline Phaff-Pratt paints the detached colonial kitchen on the grounds of the Oldest House Museum Complex during the 7th annual Plein Air Paint Out.

May is National Historic Preservation Month, a fitting time for the St. Augustine Art Association’s exhibition of paintings just completed in the Plein Air Paint Out, an outdoor painting event held from April 26 through April 30 in the nation’s oldest city.

“We started the Plein Air Paint Out in 2017 as a way to give artists an opportunity to paint in St. Augustine and to bring back a part of the St. Augustine Art Association’s history. Many of this organization’s founders were plein air painters, and many of our current artists are as well,” said Jennifer Flynt, Executive Director of the St. Augustine Art Association.

“I frequently hear that plein air painting is “illegal” in St. Augustine, but that simply isn’t true, and while the Plein Air Paint Out is once a year, there are local plein air groups that go out and paint throughout the year," she added. "Because this isn’t an invitational, anyone can participate, which makes it somewhat unique to other Plein Air events around the state and country. We want every artist to experience the rush of plein air painting!”

More than 70 artists participated, with painters from throughout Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and even Kentucky. While Plein Air events are held throughout the world each year, this is only the 7th annual St. Augustine.

“There are hundreds of Plein Air events each year around the world,” Flynt said. “Plein Air Magazine puts out an issue every winter with a calendar of the upcoming plein air events all over the U.S.”

Professional artist Christ Kling paints on Aviles Street, with a view of the circa 1798 Ximenez Fatio House. Aviles Street is the oldest in America, on a map from the 1580s, which is the oldest item in the U.S. National Archives.
Professional artist Christ Kling paints on Aviles Street, with a view of the circa 1798 Ximenez Fatio House. Aviles Street is the oldest in America, on a map from the 1580s, which is the oldest item in the U.S. National Archives.

Professional artist Chris Kling set up first near the City Gate, two coquina structures erected in 1808 at the north end of Saint George Street. Once Kling completed her painting of the iconic gate, she moved to Aviles Street, with a view of the historic Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, built in 1798. Aviles Street is one of the oldest streets in America — shown on a map from the 1580s, which is the oldest item in the U.S. National Archives.

“This is my first year of this paint out, but I have participated in many other paint outs,” Kling said. I used to live here. I lived in St. Johns all through the ’90s and until 2005, then moved to Singapore. I know this area well and I love to come back here and paint.”

Hobby artist Heather Harley Davidson set up along Avenida Menendez near the city marina with a view of the historic O.C. White’s Seafood & Spirits building, which was built in 1790, constructed by Don Miguel Ysnardy, a prominent St. Augustinian. The historic structure was eventually bought by the Worth family and remained that way for generations. In 1961 the building was moved to its present location and replicates the Worth House as it appeared in the mid-nineteenth century.

“Artists love to paint in the historic district,” Flynt explained. “Popular scenes are the bayfront, Aviles Street, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Oldest House and Lightner Museum.”

Artist Mary Ann Rosenthal was painting at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, with a view of the historic tower, built from 1871-1874.

“I have been a member of the St. Augustine Art Association since I retired in 2011 and I’m slowly improving my painting skills. The Plein Air Paint Out gives me an opportunity to get out and paint in beautiful weather, come to great places, and it gives me great practice.”

Jacqueline Phaff-Pratt was painting the detached colonial kitchen at the Oldest House Museum Complex, which features several historic structures, including Florida’s oldest house, the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, dating to the early 1700s.

Adventures en Plein Air runs May 5 through May 28 at the St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine Street, downtown St. Augustine. The art will be on view in person or online at www.staaa.org

The St. Augustine Art Association will celebrate 100 years in January 2024, one of the nation’s oldest member-based painting organizations.

“Next year’s Plein Air Paint Out will certainly pay homage to that history, including an update to the historic photo of the St. Augustine Art Association painters at the fort,” Flynt said. “The May 2024 exhibit, Reflections, will not only include the 2024 plein air works, but pieces from the STAAA Permanent Collection that show the past and present of 100 years of making art history."

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Plein Air Paint Out showcases outdoor artwork in city's historic district