The art of painting plein air painting started nearly 140 years ago in France with the advent of Impressionism. These early Impressionists felt a responsibility to illustrate the landscape for the education of future generations. They provided some of the first visual documentation of Orange County’s pristine coastline and secluded coves including Crystal Cove. As Crystal Cove evolved these painters documented its development.

Today at Crystal Cove you will find many plein air painters painting the landscape of Crystal Cove State Park. The State Park Interpretive Store has included in its store program, original plein air paintings. The Crystal Cove Alliance Art Council selects and invited the Invited Artists and Juried  Artists who show in The Store. All of our painters are nationally known and live locally. The Store enjoys a reputation of being a fine art gallery specializing in Crystal Cove and all artists generously participate in different programs throughout the year

Click here for a list of our 2011 participating artists

We invite you to apply to our 2012 Park Store Art Program. Click here for an application.  Deadline for submittal is October 15th.

To learn more about Plein Air Art, please click here to read "A History Of Plein Air Art" by Jean Stern, Executive Director, THE IRVINE MUSEUM