Abingdon Plein Air is everything an artist could want…a stunning landscape, and a wonderful small town feel coupled with a world class presentation!

-George Van Hook

Best in Show, 2022 and 2023

Plein Air Abingdon | October 3-5, 2024

Plein Air Abingdon is a three-day, open enrollment painting event now celebrating its 8th year. Not only is this an artists’ competition with cash prizes, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity for the public to witness creative action as artists remove the confinement of their studios’ four walls and paint in the open, drawing inspiration from the beautiful scenery in Abingdon, Virginia.

Artist Competition Prizes

Best in Show: $1500
1st Prize: $1000
2nd Prize: $600
3rd Prize: $400
Quick Draw: $500

As 2024 plans are finalized,

take a look back at our 2023 events!

  • Thursday, Oct. 5

    Artists gather at the quaint Alvarado Station, an outdoors lovers’ haven framed by the South Fork of the Holston River. A pop-up gallery and public reception (free) will be held in the evening, 5:15pm to 7:00pm, at Abingdon Vineyards, a short half mile from Alvarado Station. In addition to the vines themselves, there’s the rustic luxury of the Vineyard Tasting Room and welcoming umbrellaed tables dotting the outside venue space. Attendees gather, discuss and appreciate the work accomplished that day and the public will have the opportunity to purchase pieces from the competition.

  • Friday, Oct. 6

    Day two brings artists to the rolling hills of Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards. With the background of grape vines, gorgeous horizon, and the vast scenery, artists have an array of content from which to choose! A pop-up gallery public reception (free) will be held at The Tasting Room at Nicewonder, 5:15pm to 7:00pm to gather, discuss and appreciate the work accomplished that day. The public will also have the opportunity to purchase pieces from the competition.

  • Saturday, Oct. 7

    The final day of Plein Air Abingdon brings artists to the historical district of Abingdon. With its rich culture and architecture, this is a favorite amongst visiting artists. The day culminates with a Juried Art Show and Sale at William King Museum. Our juror, Peggy Root, will select the show for a grand finale exhibit and pieces will go on sale for the final time of the event. A “limited access” VIP reception hour is available from 5:00pm to 6:15pm. This ticketed event hour is complete with local wine and light fare from Abingdon eateries. The Juried Show opens to the public for free at 6:15pm.

2023 Juror: Peggy Root

Peggy Root studied at Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida and at Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Connecticut. She works in oil directly from life on location, generally working on large canvases in two-hour sessions, returning to the site at the same time on successive days to develop the painting. 

For over 40 years she has painted the landscape of the eastern United States, focusing specifically on the southern Appalachian mountain region since she moved back south in the 1990s. Her paintings are in public and private collections across the country. Southern collections such as the Tennessee State Museum, Tennessee Art Commission and the Opryland Hotel Convention Center in Nashville, The Assisi Foundation, Promus Hotel Corporation Headquarters in Memphis and AmSouth Bank Headquarters.  

Her work is currently represented by Blue Spiral 1, in Asheville, North Carolina. Peggy and her husband artist Tom Root run Root Studio School in their hometown of Jonesborough, Tennessee.


Peggy Root: View from the Hill, oil on canvas