An art project celebrating nature and the beautiful state parks of Arkansas
In March of 2022, Heart of America Artists Association kicked off the Painting the Arkansas Parks project which will last for over several 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 state parks. It all finishes with a glorious traveling exhibition throughout the state of Arkansas. In the exhibition, artists will be exhibiting a sizable artwork, and along with it will be a smaller étude (study) that inspired it, acquired from their participation in one of the state park events. We are very excited that these events will be in coordination with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Plein Air Event Locations and Dates
Event #5 – Historic Washington State Park
March 15-17, 2024, Washington, AR
Historic Washington State Park has 101-acres featuring 54 pioneer-era buildings. An important stop on the Southwest Trail, James Bowie, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett famously traveled through Washington, Arkansas. James Black, a local blacksmith, actually forged the legendary Bowie knife. From 1863-1865, it served as the Confederate capital of Arkansas.
Artists will paint throughout the park March 15 and 16, and the public is invited to watch as they create. On Sunday, March 17th, artists will present their best pieces for judging, exhibit and sale, open to the public.
Volunteers Welcome! If you have interest in housing an artist, or volunteering in any way, please click HERE to email us.
Event #4 – Cane Creek State Park (Completed)
November 3-5, 2023, Pine Bluff, AR
Located where the Coastal Plain meets the Mississippi Delta, Cane Creek State Park offers the opportunity to experience both in one visit. The park boasts the beautiful Cane Creek Lake, and a trail system that is second to none.
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.
Hot Springs National Park was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832, before the concept of a national park existed. The hot spring water has been popularly believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, and was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. The city has been home to Major League Baseball spring training, illegal gambling, speakeasies during the Prohibition era, and gangsters such as Al Capone, horse racing at Oaklawn Park, the Army and Navy Hospital, and 42nd President Bill Clinton.
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
Hobbs is Arkansas’s largest state park, spanning a 12,054-acre tract of Ozark landscape along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. It was an amazing place for artists to spread out and fish for some beautiful landscapes.
On March 26, 2022 artists brought their paintings the had made the previous two days to the exhibition held at Hobbs State Park Visitors Center. All the award winners are featured in the adjacent photo gallery.
Anticipated Future Event Locations
Historic Washington State Park, Coastal Plain Region – Spring 2024
Mississippi River State Park, Arkansas Delta Region – Summer 2024
Buffalo National River, Ozark Mountain Region – Fall 2024
Traveling Exhibit Locations
Locations for the traveling exhibit will be announced prior to the final year of the project. Please keep checking back for exciting updates.
