Plein Air Smokies
September 19-26, 2026
Join us for a week of creativity and color as 20 nationally acclaimed plein air artists paint the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding region. Save these dates for the 2026 Plein Air Smokies:
- September 25 – Collectors Celebration & Gallery Sale
- September 26 – Open Quick Draw Competition
There’s More to Come!
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At Tremont Institute, we believe that deepening our connection to the natural world leads to greater curiosity, care, and stewardship. Plein air painting shares that same spirit – pausing to observe, appreciate, and respond to nature with intention. Proceeds from Plein Air Smokies support Tremont’s mission to connect people of all ages with nature through immersive, hands-on experiences in the Smokies. Learn more about Tremont.
2026 Featured Artists
Suzie Baker
Jill Basham
Carla Bosch
Lon Brauer
Brienne Brown
Henry Coe
Lisa Engle
Bill Farnsworth
Kari Ganoung Ruiz
Meisha Grichuhin
John Guernsey
Fred Jackson
Russell Jewell
Tim Kelly
Susan Lynn
Chuck Marshall
Kathie Odom
James Sampsel
Richard Sneary
Jeff Steiner
2026 Featured Artists
Suzie Baker
Jill Basham
Carla Bosch
Lon Brauer
Brienne Brown
Henry Coe
Lisa Engle
Bill Farnsworth
Kari Ganoung Ruiz
Meisha Grichuhin
John Guernsey
Fred Jackson
Russell Jewell
Tim Kelly
Susan Lynn
Chuck Marshall
Kathie Odom
James Sampsel
Richard Sneary
Jeff Steiner
2025 Plein Air Smokies Highlights
From September 20-27, artists traveled the trails, ridges, and riverbanks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas with easels, palettes, and fresh eyes. Through a series of public events, visitors had the opportunity to meet their favorite artists, ask questions, and learn from their expertise. Read more.
What is ‘Plein Air’ Painting?
Plein air (pronounced plen air) is a French term meaning “open air.” It refers to the practice of painting outdoors, on location, capturing the changing light, movement, and atmosphere of a landscape in real time. Rather than working from photographs or memory, plein air artists bring their easels and palettes directly into nature, often painting a scene in a single sitting to preserve its immediacy and energy.
This approach invites artists to engage deeply with a place, translating fleeting moments into lasting impressions. The result is artwork that feels alive: rich with light, color, and a true sense of time and place. For spectators, it’s a chance to witness the artistic process up close and see familiar landscapes through new eyes.
Want to Learn More?
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