The Plein Air Smokies event is scheduled to begin on September 21 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, organized by Friends of the Smokies.
This year, nearly twenty talented artists will gather in the park to showcase their artistic abilities, producing unique paintings that reflect the park’s stunning landscapes. These artworks will be sold to raise funds for the park’s conservation efforts.
The event will take place from September 21-28, starting with artists exploring various scenic sites in the Smokies to create their pieces. Artwork will be available for purchase on September 27-28 in Knoxville, Tennessee. This marks the event’s third year, and the previous editions have successfully raised over $160,000 for the park.
In addition, Plein Air Smokies offers local students from two nearby schools an opportunity to work closely with professional artists. Selected students will spend a day in the park learning and painting under the guidance of plein air artists.
Dana Soehn, president and CEO of Friends of the Smokies, emphasized the significance of this event. “This event celebrates the longstanding tradition of artists capturing and sharing the beauty of the Smokies. Artwork is an important way for people to make meaningful connections to this special place,” she said.
The first chance to acquire the paintings will be at the Collectors Soiree on September 27 at Regas Square Events in downtown Knoxville. Tickets for this fundraising event are priced at $150 and are available through the Plein Air Smokies website. Any remaining artwork will be accessible to the public for purchase on Saturday, September 28.
The activities will continue in downtown Knoxville on the morning of September 28 with a Quick Draw contest open to all entrants. Artists wishing to compete must register online and submit a $30 entry fee by September 20. On the event day, participants will check in at the Market Square stage and have until 11 a.m. to create their artwork in a downtown location. The judges will evaluate the artwork at 11:30 a.m., with awards announced at noon. Art created during the Quick Draw will also be up for sale. Further information regarding the contest rules and registration can be found on the Plein Air Smokies website.
A notable reward for the Quick Draw competition winner is an invitation to participate as one of the Plein Air Smokies artists in 2025. Susan Waters from Georgia was the winner of the 2023 competition and will return in 2024 alongside a group of talented plein air artists.