History

Like many great projects, the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air started with a simple idea—inviting artists to capture the culture and beauty of the people and places of this amazing coastline. It was in 2004 when Richard Carrell first introduced the idea of a plein air event that eventually launched in 2006. Sadly, Richard only lived to see four years of plein air events, which has since grown to become one of the leading plein air events in the country. We continue to honor Richard and his wife Julia and their family for their commitment and passion.

In 2010, a special collection of plein air work was donated by the invited artists that year to honor Richard Carrell and is part of the permanent art collection at Sacred Heart Hospital in Port St. Joe.

Richard Carrell, at far left, celebrating the winners of the first Forgotten Coast Quickdraw. Now in 2020, the Quickdraw continues the legacy.

The Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition is a 501c3 organization whose primary activity is organizing the annual Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America’s Paint Out. This event enhances the vitality of the local communities along Florida’s Forgotten Coast. From Mexico Beach to Alligator Point, the event depicts the natural beauty and unique culture of the Forgotten Coast.

Forgotten Coast en Plein Air also allows local residents and visitors a rare opportunity—to actively engage, as volunteers and art lovers, with nationally known plein air artists from around the world.

Giving Back To Our Communities In turn, the plein air artists donate a percentage of each painting sale to benefit the arts for the communities of the Forgotten Coast. The Forgotten Coast Coalition also provided the permanent Richard Carrell Plein Air Collection to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf as well as grants for arts initiatives to many area partners. Proceeds from Forgotten Coast en Plein Air support the mission of the Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition. By organizing cultural activities, the coalition enhances the vitality of local communities along Florida’s Forgotten Coast from Mexico Beach to Alligator Point.

By supporting this event you: • Document regional history and culture • Highlight the preservation and awareness of Florida’s natural resources • Enrich the quality of life for residents by encouraging regional cultural events • Build community by empowering local non-profit organizations to be partners • Reach out to a broad-based, multi-community, multi-generational audience Art purchases support art education programs in our community.

Franklin County Education Foundation (2009) Gulf Alliance for Local Arts (2009) Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf (2010) Weems Memorial Hospital Foundation (2010) Apalachicola Center for History, Culture, and Art (2011) Port St. Joe Port Theater (2011) Historic Apalachicola Main Street (2012) Proposed Port St. Joe Art and Culture Center (2012) Community Grant Writer (2012) PSJ High School Art Program (2013) Apalachicola School of Art Youth Academy (2013) CareerSource Gulf Coast Youth Arts (2014) Franklin County Arts in Community Resiliency (2014) Artist Residency, Mary Erickson Examines Coastal Habitat Management (2015) Artist Residency, Lori Putnam Examines Oyster Reef Restoration (2016) Artist Training, Strengthening Volunteerism Through the Arts (2016) Artist Residency, Mark Shasha Examines Childhood Literacy (2017) Artist Residency, Dawn Whitelaw Examines Volunteer Service and Community Engagement (2017) Excellence in Volunteer Management Training (2017) Artist Residency, David Boyd, Jr. Examines Sense of Place (2017) Initiated The Joe Center for the Arts (2017-2019) Artist Residency, James Richards, Churches in Built on Faith, 2018 Artist Residency, John P. Lasater IV, Captures Boat Building (2018) Artist Residency, Morgan Samuel Price, Captures Shrimpers (2018) Artist Residency, Joan Vienot, Hope, Recovery & the Natural Environment (2019)