Overton County Arts Council to Host Inaugural Paint Livingston Event on October 5

Livingston, TN — The Overton County Arts Council invites neighbors from across the Upper Cumberland to join us for the inaugural Paint Livingston Plein Air (Outdoor) Painting Competition on Saturday, October 5th, 2024. This event promises a day filled with creativity and opportunities to engage with local and visiting artists in the heart of downtown Livingston.

Event Highlights:

• 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Quick Draw Competition

  Watch as artists race against the clock to create stunning plein air paintings in just two hours. This competition will take place at or near the courthouse square, offering a unique chance to witness the creative process in action. Be sure to come early if you want to see the artists at work.

• 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Chalk Art Demonstration and Free Future Painters’ Zone 

  Bring the whole family to enjoy a professional chalk art demonstration and let the kids unleash their creativity in the Future Painters’ Zone in Central Park. Watch professional chalk artists Ivann Garc and Jennifer Richardson create amazing works of art in the park with chalk. Children of all ages who are inspired by Garc and Richardson will be given free chalk and encouraged to create their own sidewalk masterpieces.

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM:  Guided Discussion of Livingston’s Celebrated Post Office Mural 

  Witness the beauty of Welcoming Newcomers, the New Deal-era mural created by New York-based artist Margaret Covey Chisholm in 1940. Volunteer docents will be on hand to answer questions and tell the fascinating story of Covey Chisholm’s life and work. 

• 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Public Exhibition and Art Sale at Millard Oakley Library

  Explore a curated exhibition of paintings created by 38 artists from Georgia, Nashville, Knoxville, Overton County and throughout the Upper Cumberland during the Paint Livingston competition. All works will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the Overton County Arts Council's year-round arts programs.

• 1:30 PM: Paint Livingston Awards Ceremony

  Join us at the Millard Oakley Library as we announce the winners of the main competition and the Quick Draw contest. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and honorable mention, with over $3,450 in cash prizes up for grabs.

• 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Free Exhibition of Paintings by Budd Bishop

  Enjoy this rare opportunity to see a curated collection of paintings by local acclaimed artist and community benefactor Budd Bishop at The Bishop Studio. After a long career leading several prominent museums, including the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Bishop retired to Livingston, where he painted and successfully led efforts to revitalize the downtown square and create Central Park. 

• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing Artist Reception

  Celebrate the day's success with the participating artists at a reception held at the exhibition site. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists, discuss their work, and enjoy light refreshments.

Throughout the day, visitors will have the chance to engage in a variety of art-themed activities and soak up the creative atmosphere created by all the artists and art lovers. These activities will take place on or near the courthouse square and in Central Park, making the event accessible and enjoyable for attendees of all ages.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome 38 outstanding artists, some traveling from as far as Cleveland, GA, Nashville, and Knoxville, to participate in Paint Livingston,” said Tim Richardson, President of the Overton County Arts Council. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for our community to witness art in action, especially during the Quick Draw competition taking place Saturday morning, where you can see these talented artists create beautiful works right before your eyes. It’s going to be an inspiring day for everyone involved, and we can’t wait to share it with our neighbors from all around the region.”

The plein air competition will be judged by Connie Erickson, an acclaimed artist known for her work in oil and pastel. Erickson has exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions and received many awards for her portrait, still life, and landscape paintings. She is also the founder and first president of The Chestnut Group: Plein-Air Painters for the Land in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information, please visit PaintLivingston.com or contact us at info@overtoncountyarts.org.

# # #

About Overton County Arts Council

The Overton County Arts Council is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the visual arts in Overton County. Through various events, workshops, and exhibitions, the council aims to enrich the cultural landscape and foster a vibrant arts community.