The National Museum of Transportation in Saint Louis, MO is hosting a Plein Air painting event, inviting artists to interpret its expansive 42-acre landscape dedicated to transportation history. The collection includes more than 70 locomotives, a wide range of historic rail equipment, trolleys, and notable aircraft—including the first-ever Super Hornet—alongside thoughtfully designed pollinator parks and natural areas.
The grounds offer an exceptionally diverse range of subject matter. Most trains are displayed outdoors, with several protected under covered canopies, while additional automobile exhibits are housed indoors. Artists will also encounter distinctive industrial and historical artifacts such as a towboat, a Panama Canal “mule” used to guide ships, and a train depot. Natural elements, including landscaped gardens and a pond inhabited by turtles, provide quieter, organic compositions that contrast with the mechanical subjects.
Artists are encouraged to explore the museum’s website (tnmot.org) in advance to review photos of the grounds and full artifact inventory, allowing for more intentional planning and selection of painting locations.
The property supports a range of working preferences. Artists seeking solitude can move toward the outer edges of the grounds, while those who enjoy engaging with visitors may choose to work closer to the central, more active areas.
The event will be judged by a respected university emeritus art professor known for a longstanding commitment to supporting and promoting the arts, adding both credibility and thoughtful evaluation to the experience.