Winter Art Escape
St. Petersburg Plein Air Painting Week
Feb 5–12, 2027
7 nights
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida's Gulf Coast
SkyBeach Resort
Beachfront base
All meals included
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
From $3,097
Shared room, all-inclusive
Max 100 painters
Sells out
Fly into TPA or PIE
25 min to the resort
All skill levels
Not a workshop
A week of plein air painting on Florida’s Gulf Coast with PleinAir Magazine publisher Eric Rhoads. Seven nights at a private beachfront resort, every meal, the opening and closing parties, and 100 painters who share your passion. Roll out of bed and paint.
Why This Week Is Special
This isn’t a workshop and there are no shows to enter. It’s a painting adventure with friends, in warm winter light, with everything handled for you.
Gulf Coast Light
Brilliant February light on white-sand beaches, marinas, mangroves and the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay. St. Pete averages 70° in February. New subjects every day, steps from your room.
Hosted by Eric Rhoads
Eric picks the painting spots (or paint your own), leads the evening art talks and keeps the week relaxed. Everyone is equal here, famous painters and beginners alike.
All-Inclusive Beachfront Base
Seven nights at SkyBeach Resort, breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, optional evening art displays, music and the camaraderie people come back for year after year.
The Week
8 days in St. Petersburg • Feb 5–12, 2027
Paint all day, eat together every night. Scenes from Winter Art Escape 2025.
Check in at SkyBeach Resort, pick up your registration bag and map, and meet the group at the opening party as the sun goes down over the water.
Breakfast together, then a first painting day close to the resort: shoreline, dunes and the resort’s own waterfront. Optional evening art display.
Boats, piers and palm-lined parks along St. Pete’s waterfront. Painters spread out; Eric is around all day.
A day on the Gulf side: wide beaches, sea oats, fishing piers and long views toward the horizon.
Shade, architecture and tropical color for anyone ready for a break from the beach. Evening: portraits, music and art talk back at the resort.
Return to a favorite spot or explore somewhere new. The private Facebook group makes it easy to share rides.
One more day of Gulf light, then the closing party: a week of paintings on display and a last sunset together.
Breakfast, goodbyes, and plans for next year.
Sample rhythm for review. Painting locations are chosen each morning for light and weather.
Painting Locations
The spots we aim to paint around St. Petersburg, adapted to the day’s light and weather. Everything is a short drive from the resort.
All spots are within about 30 minutes of SkyBeach Resort.
SkyBeach Resort waterfront
Our home base. Sunrise over the bay from the beach, palms and pool, steps from breakfast.
St. Pete Pier & downtown waterfront
Boats, the new pier, parks and the city skyline across the bay.
Pass-a-Grille Beach
A quiet old-Florida beach town with white sand, dunes and pastel cottages.
Fort De Soto Park
Barrier-island beaches, mangroves, a historic fort and long views over the Gulf.
Vinoy Park & the marina
Masts, reflections and the pink Vinoy hotel along the downtown shoreline.
Gulfport waterfront
Small-town pier, casino ballroom and fishing boats, great in late afternoon light.
Sunken Gardens
A century-old botanical garden: shade, flamingos and dense tropical color.
Tarpon Springs sponge docks
Working Greek fishing boats and waterfront tavernas, a short drive north.
Draft list based on the St. Pete area. Swap in the spots Eric picks once confirmed.
Gallery
Real weeks, real painters. Scenes from Winter Art Escape 2025 on Hilton Head Island; 2027 moves to St. Petersburg.
What You'll Take Home
- A week of daily painting in winter light, with no deadlines and no distractions
- Painting spots picked for you every day, or the freedom to choose your own
- Evenings of art talk, portrait sessions and music with painters at every level
- New friends and a private group to share rides, roommates and plans
- Optional daily art displays to share your work in a supportive room
- Every meal handled: breakfast, lunch and dinner, no cooking or cleaning
Roll out of bed and paint.
Seven mornings of Gulf light. Every meal, every evening, every new friend handled for you.
Book This Week
Attendance is capped at 100 painters and Publisher’s Invitationals sell out. Choose your room, choose how to pay.
Shared accommodations
Two painters per room at SkyBeach Resort. Find a roommate in the private Facebook group.
$3,997 $3,097
per person, all-inclusive · or 5 payments of $649
Private accommodations
Your own room at SkyBeach Resort. The quiet option, and the first to sell out most years.
$4,997 $4,397
per person, all-inclusive · or 5 payments of $909
Investment
$3,997 $3,097
PER PERSON · OR 5 PAYMENTS OF $649
$4,997 $4,397
PER PERSON · OR 5 PAYMENTS OF $909
Included in Price
- The painting event, map and registration bag
- 7 nights lodging at SkyBeach Resort
- 8 days of meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Opening and closing parties
- Evening art displays, talks and music
- Private Facebook group for rides and roommates
Not Included
- Travel to St. Petersburg
- A vehicle for painting spots (rent one or share a ride)
- Art supplies and easel
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Alcohol and personal expenses
Cancellation policy. Through 07/01/26: 100% refund less a $150 processing fee. 07/02/26 to 10/05/26: 50% refund less $150. From 10/06/26: no refund. We recommend travel insurance (for example insuremytrip.com; Streamline Publishing does not endorse any provider).
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE) is about 12 miles from downtown St. Petersburg. Tampa International (TPA) is bigger, with more flights, about 25 to 30 minutes away. Sarasota–Bradenton (SRQ) is another option about 30 miles south.
Yes, or a friend with one. Painting locations are a short drive from the resort. If you’re flying in, plan to rent a car or find a ride share in the private Facebook group you’ll join after registering.
No. There’s no formal instruction and no shows to enter. It’s a week of painting with friends at every level, hosted by Eric Rhoads. You’ll learn plenty from each other.
Several small panels (8×10 or 9×12); a limited palette of 4 to 6 colors (titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, optional burnt sienna); 2 to 4 brushes, a palette knife and a small palette; a lightweight easel or pochade box; paper towels, a trash bag and a wet panel carrier; hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a folding stool and an umbrella for harsh light.
Eric is the publisher of PleinAir Magazine and several other art publications, a painter, and the host of “Art School Live” on YouTube. The event is produced by Streamline Publishing, which Eric founded in 1986.
Through 07/01/26: 100% refund less a $150 processing fee. 07/02/26 to 10/05/26: 50% refund less $150. From 10/06/26: no refund. Travel insurance is recommended.
Most people do. Shared rooms are matched through the private group, and by the second night you’ll know half the room.
Your Host
Eric Rhoads
Founder and publisher of PleinAir Magazine, a passionate painter, and the creator of the Publisher’s Invitational retreats. Eric started these weeks to bring artists together without the pressure of shows or workshops, and his warm welcome is why so many painters come back every year.
“Our goal is to have fun, make friends, paint together, and escape winter for a week. You’re invited if you’re easy going, want to have fun and bring no drama!”
What Painters Say
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Winter Art Escape
You’re here. Warm sun, Gulf Coast light, a week of painting.
Ready to Escape Winter?
February 5–12, 2027 in St. Petersburg, Florida. 100 places, all-inclusive, from $3,097.