Community Calendar

You’re invited to an exclusive evening celebrating the art and artists of Plein Air Smokies at the Collector’s Celebration – the first opportunity to view and purchase the stunning original works created throughout the week.
This is your chance to meet the Featured Artists, hear the stories behind the paintings, and acquire one-of-a-kind pieces. Paintings span scenes from across Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beyond, capturing fleeting moments of light, color, and landscape in the artists’ distinctive styles.
Enjoy an elegant evening of fine art, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks, and celebrate with us as we announce the artist awards at 7:30pm. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply love beautiful artwork inspired by the Smokies, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
No cost to attend – arrive early for the best selection. Paintings will remain on display and available for purchase through Saturday, September 26, at 4pm.
About Plein Air Smokies
Twenty nationally acclaimed artists will set up their easels across Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding region on Sept. 19–26 for Plein Air Smokies, a weeklong celebration of art, landscape, and the practice of painting outdoors.

Plein Air Smokies is hosted by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, a nonprofit outdoor school located inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Proceeds support Tremont’s hands-on outdoor education programs through scholarships, allowing more people to connect deeply with nature.

Plein Air Smokies is presented by Toyota Knoxville and Lexus of Knoxville, with additional support from Anakeesta. A complete schedule, featured artist profiles, event registration, and updates are available at pleinairsmokies.org.

Step up to the easel or watch painting in action! Beginning at 7am, artists of all experience levels will spread out across Sequoyah Hills Park, spending the morning painting their scene of choice. At 11:30am, judging, prizes, and the art sale will begin. First place wins $500 and an invitation to join Plein Air Smokies 2027 as a Featured Artist. Register through September 23 to compete at pleinairsmokies.com. Spectating is free & open to the public.

About Plein Air Smokies
Twenty nationally acclaimed artists will set up their easels across Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding region on Sept. 19–26 for Plein Air Smokies, a weeklong celebration of art, landscape, and the practice of painting outdoors.

Plein Air Smokies is hosted by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, a nonprofit outdoor school located inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Proceeds support Tremont’s hands-on outdoor education programs through scholarships, allowing more people to connect deeply with nature.

Plein Air Smokies is presented by Toyota Knoxville and Lexus of Knoxville, with additional support from Anakeesta. A complete schedule, featured artist profiles, event registration, and updates are available at pleinairsmokies.org.

Learn about the monarch butterfly and join local conservation efforts to track the species during its expected annual migration through the Great Smoky Mountains. Smokies Life Branch Out event. Great Smokies Welcome Center, Townsend, Tenn. Cost: For Park Keepers, $45; to join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). Info – SmokiesLife.org/branch-out-events or email: membership@smokieslife.org.

Learn about the monarch butterfly and join local conservation efforts to track the species during its expected annual migration through the Great Smoky Mountains. Smokies Life Branch Out event. Great Smokies Welcome Center, Townsend, Tenn. Cost: For Park Keepers, $45; to join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). Info – SmokiesLife.org/branch-out-events or email: membership@smokieslife.org.

Learn about black bears, an iconic symbol of the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger-led program. Sugarlands Visitor Center, Tenn. Free. Info and confirm details: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm or 865-436-1200.