Jacalyn Beam paints the beautiful Brandywine Valley where she was born and now permanently resides. Like the Pennsylvania Impressionists of the 19th and 20th centuries who had strong links to the local landscape, Jacalyn typically paints scenes within a few miles of home. Her paintings show the feel, look, and flavor for the area in which she lives.

Jacalyn Beam was born in Chester County, PA. Her early training in art was rooted in the history and beauty of the Brandywine Valley. She holds a B.S. in Music, M.Ed. and Ed.D. and has always held a passion for painting. The Wyeths, Sorolla, Sargent, Sotter, Schofield, and Thayer are a few of her favorite artists.

Jacalyn Beam’s art education is rooted in the stories and beauty of the Brandywine Valley. Her paintings - particularly plein air landscapes, are widely recognized and collected for their historical and visual appeal.  “Her rich palette and sensitive depictions of places are a winning combination that will reward lingering to appreciate the details" (Chamblis, Chester Co Press)  

“ I paint outdoors because the world is rich with beauty and it’s the optimal way to see three dimensional objects, the subtleties of light and shadows, atmospheric perspective, and ‘real’ colors. Plein air painting is also a lot fun! You meet new friends - animal and human, have fleeting conversations with bicyclists and joggers, and experience the sounds and smells of the outdoors.”

Jacalyn is a member of the American Impressionist Society (AIS), Oil Painters of America (OPA), Washington Society of Landscape Painters (WSLP), an Artist Member of the California Art Club (CAC), and a Signature Member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association (MAPAPA).  She served on the Board of Directors of MAPAPA and the Chaddsford Historical Society for eight years. She participates in national juried art shows and her work hangs in galleries across America from CA to DE.  Her long list of awards include Best of Show, First Place, Second Place, Third Place, Best Sky, People’s Choice Award, Artist Choice Award, Honorable Mention, and National Bold Brush Awards.

Jacalyn’s work is recognized in books including “100 Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters”, “Heritage of the Brandywine Valley”, and “Carmel and Big Sur Painters”, and magazines including Fine Art Connoisseur, Brandywine Valley Reflections, HUNT, Art Collector Magazine, Western Art Collector, Plein Air Magazine, Delaware Magazine, and Outdoor Painter. She has painted in multiple juried and invitational events including Plein Air Texas, North Carolina Plein Air, Lighthouse Jupiter Plein Air, CELT Maine and Brandywine Plein Air where she received Fine Art Connoisseur’s Best of Show.  In 2021 she was invited to represent Delaware in the national America the Beautiful Fine Art Show.

Jacalyn earned a BS, MEd and EdD and received the Presidential Award – Wilmington University’s most prestigious award given to one student from among all disciplines who best exhibits outstanding leadership, respect for others, and the University’s mission and values. She currently serves at the discretion of the Governor on the Delaware Arts Council – the advisory body to the Delaware Division of the Arts which advises on matters of arts policy, funding and other issues relevant to the arts. She was selected to serve on the National Coalition of the Arts Council for writing core standards  and was a specialist and writer for the Delaware Committee for Performing Arts Education. Jacalyn teaches both private and group lessons and is an invited instructor for the Howard Pyle Studio,  Rehoboth Art League, the Delaware Valley Division of the Arts and others. 

McBride Gallery is pleased to represent the work of Jacalyn Beam.