20 artists from across the country gathered in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this week to paint ‘en plein air.’ The method requires artists to paint outdoors, in the elements, which were in full-force this week as rainy thunderstorms moved across East Tennessee.
The painters are participating in an event known as Plein Air Smokies, which has been organized by the non-profit Friends of the Smokies for the last three years. Lauren Gass is the philanthropy director for the organization. She says their goal for the event is to generate artistic interest in the mountains, while also raising money for the work of the Friends.
“We do raise money through this event for the National Park,” Gass said. “But in addition to that we are also tying back to the history of artists interpreting nature and the beauty and really inspiring folks to protect these lands as national parks. So we feel like we are carrying on that tradition.”
The artists were selected from a group of 144 anonymous applicants from across the United States. They were assigned to paint various popular areas of the park throughout the week, such as Cades Cove on Monday or the Elkmont Historic District on Wednesday.
Shelby Keefe traveled from Wisconsin to participate in the event. She says she was drawn to its professionality and the natural beauty of the landscape. She has taken cover under a porch awning to try and capture the historic cabins at Elkmont.
“We’re here in Daisy Town,” Keefe said. “I'm under the eaves, painting and staying pretty dry, considering. I just look out there at some of the other cool cabins, and am trying to capture the feel of that from the protection of a porch.”
Colorado-based artist Orville Giguiento paints a scene of a clearing in water colors, which are notoriously difficult to work with in rainy weather.
“It’s a little challenging because of the damp weather,” Giguiento said. “But I kind of, you know, just … wing it, and see how it goes. I’m trying to use less water, because it's so damp.”
Giguiento works full-time as an architect, and likes to paint on the side. The Smokies remind him of his childhood in the Philippines.
“I love the Smokies because I grew up in the Philippines,” Giguiento said. “So I'm used to the greens and the forest, and I love it – plus the rain.”
Susan Waters, a multi-modal artist from Georgia, ventured to the Smoky Mountains for the first time this week to participate in the event. She set her easel up on a partially-obscured path that shoots off of the Little River Trail in Elkmont, near Jake’s Creek, where rests a moss-covered bridge known as the ‘Troll Bridge.’
Waters won her spot in Plein Air Smokies by ranking best-in-show at a quick-draw competition which was held last year in Maryville.
“It is absolutely one of the best plein air events there are,” Waters said. “It has been fun, and I know that I won’t be competitive, so I want to at least try and enjoy it.”
The painters have worked throughout the week to produce numerous works of art depicting scenes in the Smokies. On Friday and Saturday, those paintings will be auctioned off to help support the philanthropy work of the Friends of the Smokies.
“We have in the past used it for preservation of historic structures,” Gass said. “We also do wildlife preservation. So it will be for some of the projects that the park asks the Friends to support throughout the year.”
The first auction will be held Friday night in Regas Square, and will require paid admission. Leftover works will be auctioned to the public in Market Square on Saturday.
