Mark Your Calendar
Join us for the 13th Annual New Smyrna Beach Paint Out!
This premier five-day event invites you to Discover Nature through Art, and celebrates everything that makes our community unique. With a goal of raising valuable funds for two local nonprofits, the NSB Paint Out brings to light the important work of Marine Discovery Center (MDC) and Artists’ Workshop of New Smyrna Beach (AWI).
During the week of October 17-21, 20 highly regarded artists from throughout the Southeastern United States, all hand-selected by our planning committee, will showcase beloved locations throughout New Smyrna Beach in their one-of-a-kind artwork.
We will be continually updating our website as the event nears, adding information about this year’s artists, special events, and more!
Become a Sponsor or Patron
Learn more and become a Patron or Sponsor today!
As a sponsor or patron, you’ll enjoy access to a variety of events including art demonstrations, the Collectors Reception and Live Auction, and the Grand Finale celebration with fan-favorite, Blending of the Brushes.
Corporate sponsors have multiple opportunities for visibility and brand recognition while highlighting a demonstrated commitment to supporting critical community needs.
What is Plein Air Painting?
En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air,” and refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their works.
Artists have long painted outdoors, but in the mid-1800s painting landscapes and other scenes
on location finally became practical due to two important inventions: paints in tubes and the
box easel.
The high point of plein air art came with the emergence of Impressionism. Artists of that period included Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Cezanne and Van Gogh. Interest in outdoor painting has remained constant since the 20th century. Today’s artists carry on the traditions of these past masters by capturing the light and movement in landscapes that can only come from seeing the subject outdoors in its natural form.
The last 20 years has seen a resurgence of interest in plein air painting in the United States. During this time, groups of plein air artists began gathering together to paint at single locations or within certain geographic boundaries. These “Paint Outs” give artists a chance to share their talents and creativity with the public and with one another.
Meet the Beneficiaries
Marine Discovery Center and Artists’ Workshop of New Smyrna Beach have shared the 22-acre site of the former New Smyrna Beach High School since 2011. Working collaboratively on a variety of projects and events throughout the year, they have a common goal of bringing awareness to Florida’s coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems by providing high quality educational programming, research and passive recreation for children, adults and seniors of all ages. Together, the two organizations share Eco-Art Summer Adventure Camp, a nature, science and art-based program for children ages 5-14 with a focus on hands-on, feet-wet education. Launched in summer 2022, the camp became an immediate success serving over 100 children in the first year with a waiting list for 2023.
Our Mission:
"To protect and restore Florida's coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems
through education, research and community stewardship."