In March of 2022, Heart of America Artists Association kicked off the Painting the Arkansas Parks project which will last for over three years. The first part of the project will include a series of plein air (outdoor painting) events in the five major geographical regions of the State of Arkansas to honor the parks. It all finishes with a glorious traveling exhibition throughout the state of Arkansas. In the exhibition, artists will be exhibiting an artwork (maximum width 36″), and along with it will be a smaller étude (study) that inspired it, acquired from their participation in one of the park events. We are very excited that these events will be in coordination with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. 

Event #7 – Buffalo National River

November 1-3, 2024, Jasper, AR

Buffalo National River was established by Congress in 1972 as the country’s first national river. Originating in the Boston Mountains of the Ozark Plateau, the river generally flows in an easterly direction to its confluence with the White River. Flanking the river are multi-colored bluffs of eroded sandstone, limestone and dolomite that tower in some places to heights over 400 feet.

Artists will paint the Buffalo River November 1-2, and the public is invited to seek them out although the national river area spans a very large area. On Sunday, November 3, artists will present their best pieces for judging, exhibit and sale, open to the public. Sunday events will be held in Jasper, Arkansas at the Jasper Visitor Center Convention Center Room.

Volunteers Welcome! If you have interest in housing an artist, or volunteering in any way, please click HERE to email us.

Event #6 – Mississippi River State Park (Completed)

June 14-16, 2024, Marianna, AR

Mississippi River State Park provides quality access to the St. Francis National Forest and offers visitors endless adventures where the Mississippi River, Crowley’s Ridge and the Arkansas Delta meet. Visitors can explore everything from hardwood forests to the sandy shores of the Mississippi River while enjoying three lakes, the All American Great River Road (gravel) and Crowley’s Ridge Parkway (paved) (Both are National Scenic Byways), four hiking trails and two recreational areas.

Artists painted throughout the park and visitors enjoyed attending the final showing of the work and awards ceremony.

Event #5 – Historic Washington State Park (Completed)

March 15-17, 2024, Washington, AR

Artists had a wonderful time, made a lot of paintings, and enjoyed the excitement as the event was held at the same time as the annual Jonquil Festival.

Event #4 – Cane Creek State Park (Completed)

November 3-5, 2023, Pine Bluff, AR

Artists had a delightful time experiencing Cane Creek State Park, many for the first time.

Event #3 – Hot Springs National Park (Completed)

April 28-30, 2023, Hot Springs, AR

Hot Springs National Park was a hit! A number of artists showed up and spiced up the annual Hot Springs Arts in the Park event by painting for our Painting the Arkansas Parks plein air event.

Event #2 – Petit Jean State Park (Completed)

October 28-30, 2022, Morrilton, AR

Petit Jean State Park was an amazing place for artists to capture the essence of the great Arkansas Parks. Petit Jean is a 3,471-acre park in Conway County, Arkansas located atop Petit Jean Mountain adjacent to the Arkansas River in the area between the Ouachita Mountains and Ozark Plateaus. The park has a large waterfall, impressive architecture and many geological features; not to mention big landscape views.

The exhibition and demonstration were both well attended by patrons and artists alike.

Event #1 – Hobbs State Park (Completed)

March 24-26, 2022, Rogers, AR

The Hobbs event was a great place to kick off the Paint the Arkansas Parks project. Artists spread out and “fished” for some beautiful landscapes. Hobbs is Arkansas’s largest state park, spanning a 12,054-acre tract of Ozark landscape along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. Thank you to the artists, volunteers and park administration for all you did to make this a successful event.