The Old Lyme and Mystic art colonies at the turn of the 20th century will be front and center this month during a special Impressionist art exhibit at the Museum of Darien.

“State of Inspiration: Connecticut’s Art Colonies,” featuring works by the state’s top Impressionists, will open with a champagne reception at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at the museum.

Featuring 40 paintings from the collection of Tom and Marianne Davies of New Canaan, the exhibition explores the unique appeal that Connecticut offered to young artists returning to the United States after studying abroad. Many of these artists opted to settle in six communities that evolved into Connecticut’s Art Colonies: Cos Cob, Silvermine, Westport, Old Lyme, Mystic and Kent.

Clusters of artists gravitated to the East Coast to be close to major cities, exhibit their work and attract prospective clients. Painting en plein air in the countryside was also priority for these Impressionist artists.

“Connecticut was an ideal location. Not only was it close to Boston and New York, it also offered a multitude of appealing coastal and pastoral settings,” Davies explained.

As artists continued to visit, many eventually established homes and encouraged friends and fellow artists to do the same. “Not to be overlooked, another major benefit the state offered at that time was cheap rent,” said Davies.

One such artist was Frank Vincent Dumond, who painted “Old Lyme Gardens” (circa 1915), an oil painting on canvas in the exhibit. Described as an “art treasure” by a critic of the day, Dumond arrived in Old Lyme in 1902 and made his home there for the next 49 years while also commuting to the Art Students League in New York. Among his most renowned students were Norman Rockwell, Georgia O’Keeffe and the modernist John Marin. His color theories continue to influence students today and his particular fondness for the color green, became known as Dumond Green.

To register for the opening reception, visit museumofdarien.org or call (203) 655-9233. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. The Museum of Darien is located at 45 Old King’s Highway in Darien.