2026 Forgotten Coast en Plein Air
March 20 - March 29
Beaches, lighthouses, bayous, pine forests, palm trees, fishing villages and vessels, and historic small-town Southern architecture: The Forgotten Coast en Plein Air offers a dramatic array of inspiring settings. Located along a 100-mile stretch of scenic coastal towns on the Gulf in North Florida, this 10-day invitational event takes place from March 20–29, 2026, bringing world-class plein air artists together to paint across eight Forgotten Coast communities. Now in its 21st year, the event offers residents and visitors an interactive arts experience and kicks off with the popular Quickdraw paintout, where artists capture the beauty of the region in real time. The Quickdraw will be judged by celebrated contemporary impressionist Lori Putnam, an award-winning oil painter and Master Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America (OPAM) whose expressive works, which are shaped by painting and teaching in more than 30 countries, are exhibited and collected worldwide.
Activities take place every day throughout the event and include painting demonstrations, lunch and learns, wetroom, gala, painting stations with plein air artists, Student Art Day, and a plein air gospel service on the waterfront. Student Art Day, a cherished highlight of the event since 2007, pairs selected Gulf and Franklin County students one-on-one with artists to create plein air paintings. The students’ work will be exhibited March 25–29 at The Joe Center for the Arts in Port St. Joe. All demonstrations and receptions are free and open to the public. Collector packages include an art credit for painting purchases and admittance to additional events.
Invited artists from around the world include Olena Babak, Suzie Baker, Greg Barnes, Beth Bathe, Carla Bosch, Lon Brauer, Cindy Briggs, Charles Dickinson, Mark Fehlman, Joe Gyurcsak, Michelle Held, Tim Horn, Kathleen B. Hudson, Vicki Norman, Jeremy Sams, Manon Sander, Mark Shasha, Richie Vios, and Steven S. Walker. Florida’s Finest Plein Air Ambassadors, who share their experience through painting stations, include Nancy Nowak, Lizzie Hunter, Monica Meerwarth Fernsell, and Betty Wentworth.
Volunteers, collectors, and art lovers become part of a remarkable celebration of creativity that helps preserve the region’s culture, history, and natural beauty. As artists paint along this beautiful coast and volunteers bring the event to life, its impact is felt throughout the Forgotten Coast communities—touching residents, visitors, and inspiring both young artists and the young-at-heart.
The Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition (FCCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to enrich the communities along Florida’s Forgotten Coast—from Alligator Point to Mexico Beach—through cultural activities that highlight the region’s unique arts and heritage including its signature event, Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America’s Great Paint Out. For details, visit www.forgottencoastenpleinair.com. Funded in part by Florida Arts & Culture, Duke Energy Foundation and the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Franklin County – Various Locations
, FL + Google Map