| Crescent Beach Paint Out Draws Artists and Admirers to Enjoy Culture |
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| October 15, 2009 |
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Crescent Beach is a charming seaside town just a few miles from St. Augustine. Located on quaint Anastasia Island (near the lighthouse), It might just have more shorebirds and sand dunes than people. Add boats aplenty, and you’ve created the right picturesque scene.
Each fall, the small community of 1,000 residents draws a large number of artists to the Crescent Beach Paint Out, a three-day series of workshops and juried art show, much of which take place outdoors. This year’s event is Oct. 24 through 31.
A Paint Out like this event is also known as Plein Air -- a French term meaning "in the open air." The term describes artwork that has been painted outdoors with the subject directly in view rather than in a studio. Plein Air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works.
Led by Romel de la Torre, Larry Moore, Steve Rogers, and Christophe Cardot, the artists complete works that are juried for prizes and exhibited at various locations throughout the year. Artists who register for a workshop are automatically admitted to an extensive list of parties and functions at no cost. Some participants attend just one workshop but stay for days.
Much of the emphasis at the Paint Out is the natural beauty of Florida. One of the collaborating galleries, Island Fine Art, showcases work that highlights the environment.
The easy, relaxed atmosphere of Crescent Beach is a nice change from larger beachfront communities. You can stay at a bed and breakfast like the Beachfront B&B, which features red oak interiors and heart of pine floors, cypress walls and hand-hewn Honduran pine beams in vaulted ceilings.
More traditional places like the Crescent Beach Luxury Condo have tennis courts and boat docks while the Beacher's Lodge Oceanfront Suites come with a kitchenette and a patio or private balcony. Here's a full list of area accommodations.
The Atlantic Ocean here is quite active, and dolphins take advantage of the waves. They often frolic just offshore.
Whether for a Paint Out or for a retreat, Crescent Beach is a lovely spot to decompress. Large expanses of white sand are my signal that it’s the perfect spot for a beach walk to restore the soul. |
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| This painting by Christophe Cardot called |
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