Sep 10, 2026
Plein Air Smokies Returns Sept. 19-26
Written by: Emily Huffstetler
Plein Air Smokies returns Sept. 19-26, with 20 featured artists painting throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area.
Hosted by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, the fifth annual event celebrates plein air painting, the tradition of painting outdoors directly from the natural landscape. Visitors can watch artists at work in Townsend and Tremont, see the finished pieces at a gallery sale and attend a timed painting competition in Knoxville.
“Hey Townsend” Paintout – Sept. 21
All 20 featured artists will spend the afternoon at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend from 1 to 5 p.m.
They will set up around the property, using the Heritage Center’s historic Appalachian buildings and grounds as their subjects. Visitors can walk through the site, watch the artists work and see how each approaches the setting differently.
Some artists will be in the Heritage Center’s free public areas, while others will be inside the museum grounds, where regular admission is required.
Painting Demonstrations at Tremont – Sept. 22
On Sept. 22, the artists will demonstrate their work at Tremont.
Ten will paint around campus from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by the other 10 from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors can move between locations to watch different techniques and ask questions while the artists work.
The demonstrations are free and open to the public. No registration is required.
Education Day – Sept. 25
On Sept. 25, students from four area high schools will come to Tremont to paint alongside the featured artists. They will spend the morning outdoors and then wrap up their pieces after lunch.
Education Day is not open to the public.
Collectors Celebration & Gallery Sale – Sept. 25
That evening, paintings created during Plein Air Smokies will be unveiled at The District Gallery & Framery in Knoxville.
The Collectors Celebration & Gallery Sale runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and is the first chance to see and purchase work from the week. Guests can also meet the artists. Awards are announced at 7:30 p.m.
The exhibition remains open through 4 p.m. Sept. 26, with artwork available for purchase.
Quick Draw Competition – Sept. 26
The Quick Draw Competition gives other artists a chance to join in on Sept. 26 at Sequoyah Hills Park in Knoxville.
Artists ages 14 and older can register for the Open Division, while the 20 featured artists compete separately.
After checking in and having their canvases stamped between 7 and 9 a.m., participants will choose a spot in Sequoyah Hills Park or along the Cherokee Boulevard median and get to work.
Painting ends at 11 a.m., with finished pieces due for judging at 11:30 a.m. Prizes and public art sales follow the judging.
Visitors can watch the artists throughout the morning. Registration for participants closes at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 23.
New this year, Plein Air Smokies wraps up with Behind the Awards at The District Gallery & Framery.
From 1:15 to 2:30 p.m., judge Lori Putnam will discuss the award-winning paintings and explain her judging considerations. Many of the featured artists will also be there to talk about their work.
The event is free and open to the public.
Proceeds from Plein Air Smokies support Tremont’s hands-on outdoor education programs and scholarships. For more information, including the full list of artists, visit pleinairsmokies.org.
Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University.