As the nation marks its semiquincentennial anniversary, the Lightner Museum and the First Coast Plein Air Painters celebrate the timeless beauty of Northeast Florida and its place in America’s story.

In the late nineteenth century, America’s First Coast emerged as a seasonal haven for painters from artist colonies across the United States. They were captivated by the region’s expansive skies, historic architecture, and diverse landscapes. Many found eager patrons among the Gilded Age visitors who wintered at Henry Flagler’s grand hotels, ensuring that art became a defining feature of the region’s cultural fabric.

Today, this legacy continues through the First Coast Plein Air Painters, a vibrant community of artists from Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia who work directly from life, capturing the ever-changing light, atmosphere, and beauty of the region.

A Moment in Time: America 250 is a juried exhibition featuring new works by member artists. The exhibition invites visitors to experience how contemporary artists capture the enduring beauty of a region that has inspired generations of painters.

About First Coast Plein Air Painters

First Coast Plein Air Painters is a group of enthusiastic and dedicated plein air painters based in Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia called “The First Coast”. The group maintains a strong membership that paints outdoors together regularly, provides exhibition opportunities, and supports the community with demonstrations and fundraising. Members of the First Coast Plein Air Painters share a special camaraderie for the visual arts.