The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens again hosted A Brush With Nature. In its third year, the three-day plein air painting event — held from March 21-23 — featured 36 artists working in the Arboretum’s beautiful settings. Find out more about the event and the worthy cause it helps support.
Charles Dickinson of St. Augustine, FL Photo: Randy Pitts
Christophe Cardot of St. Augustine, FL proudly holds one of his paintings
Keith Doles and Paul Ladnier (seated). Photo: Lee McDonald
Randy Pitts. Photo: Lee McDonald
The Brush With Nature plein air event in Jacksonville, Florida, helps raised awareness and funds for the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, a magnificent 120-acre nature preserve in the city’s Arlington area. Artists came from northeast and central Florida, and some from as far away as Orlando and New Smyrna Beach, to participate. The Arboretum is operated entirely by a group of committed volunteers, and A Brush With Nature is one of its signature fund-raisers. Eighty-two paintings sold at this year’s event, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the Arboretum for operations, maintenance, and improvements. Each year, the event has raised more than $20,000, a significant amount for this small but growing natural “gem” in the midst of Jacksonville.
