“Creating a plein air art museum takes more than one person’s dream. It requires a coalition of visionaries, philanthropists, collectors, and professionals who recognize this pivotal moment.”
When PleinAir Magazine debuted, plein air painting stood at the margins of the art world — a whisper in a world dominated by modernist voices. What had been a revolutionary movement a century earlier had dwindled almost to extinction; only a handful of artists still painted outdoors, and the practice seemed destined to fade away.
I launched the magazine with a singular conviction: that beauty, craft, and tradition deserved not only preservation, but celebration. We embarked on what many considered a quixotic mission — to champion an art form the establishment had written off as irrelevant.
Today, I write to you from the midst of a renaissance we helped ignite.
The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. Hundreds of thousands of passionate artists now take their easels outdoors to capture nature and light in their truest form. They paint for the love of being outside, for the challenge of responding to nature directly, and for the deep personal rewards it offers. These are not mere imitators trying to recreate the early plein air movements of the Impressionists or the artists of Fontainebleau. They are bold voices using time-honored techniques to speak to today’s world. Contemporary collectors eagerly acquire their work. And galleries that previously dismissed these paintings as “unfinished” now compete to exhibit them.
What was once considered antiquated has blossomed into what Jean Stern, director emeritus of The Irvine Museum, has called “the largest movement in the history of art.” From just a few small gatherings, we now see more than 500 plein air festivals each year, attracting millions of viewers and showcasing tens of thousands of artists.
Yet with success comes responsibility. As the early champions of this revival enter their golden years, and their students approach middle age, we face a critical question: how do we ensure these hard-won achievements endure? How do we prevent these paintings from being dismissed as “Mom and Dad’s old artwork” by uninformed heirs?
The answer lies in institutionalization — in creating a permanent home for this extraordinary flowering of talent.
Today’s artists are producing work that rivals the best of any era. Never before have so many gifted landscape painters mastered such sophisticated techniques. This golden age demands proper documentation, preservation, and celebration. We need museums that understand and elevate these movements — institutions that will educate future generations about this remarkable chapter in art history.
And yet, there is no museum in the world devoted to plein air painting.
At the 2025 Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE) in Reno, I announced an ambitious vision: the creation of a world-class institution that not only showcases plein air painting, past and present, but also reflects the broader realism movement we’ve supported through PleinAir Magazine’s sister publication, Fine Art Connoisseur.
The National Museum of Plein Air and Landscape Painting would be a 100,000-square-foot temple to plein air and realism, located in a high-traffic destination that draws millions of tourists. We’ve identified a promising existing building and a welcoming community. The museum would feature permanent collections and traveling exhibitions, and serve as a beacon for these intertwined movements that have reshaped American art.
Napoleon said, “Small plans do not inflame the hearts of men.” This vision is intentionally bold — a lasting institution that honors what we’ve built together and ensures it lives on for generations.
Creating such a place takes more than one person’s dream. It requires a coalition of visionaries, philanthropists, collectors, and professionals who recognize this pivotal moment. While I can provide vision, seed funding, and a significant portion of my personal collection, I freely admit I need help — with fundraising, museum management, and governance.
Today, I’m not asking for donations — I’m asking for wisdom. I invite those who share this vision to offer your insight, your experience, and your guidance. Already, supporters are stepping forward — some offering their collections, others willing them to the museum as part of their legacy.
If you’ve walked this journey with us — through the pages of our magazines, or at our events — you understand the transformation we’ve witnessed. Now is the time to plant a flag for the future. To make a permanent declaration that beauty, skill, and tradition not only survived — they triumphed in our time.
The movements we’ve championed have already reshaped the landscape of American art. Now let’s ensure they shape its future. Forever.
Editor’s Note: Join us for the 6th Annual Plein Air Live online art conference, featuring Kathleen Hudson, Kevin Macpherson, Kami Mendlik, and many more! The event takes place November 6-8, 2025, with an Essential Techniques Day on November 5. Learn more at PleinAirLive.com.
Browse more free articles here at OutdoorPainter.com
