Home / Events / Brevard Plein Air Festival

Brevard Plein Air Festival

September 14, 2026 8:00 am - September 19, 2026 5:00 pm
Downtown Brevard

Join us for the sixth annual Brevard Plein Air Festival — a week-long celebration of live painting, local landmarks, and creative energy right here in Transylvania County.

What’s plein air? It simply means “painting outside.” Throughout the week, you’ll see artists set up their easels all over the county — from downtown sidewalks and favorite local businesses to sweeping mountain views, waterfalls, and hidden scenic spots. Every piece is painted on-site and inspired by the places we know and love.

Patrons Preview Party

The Patrons Preview Party is an opportunity to enjoy the unveiling of the original works painted throughout the week in Transylvania County at the Historical Trust Center.

Enjoy a night mingling with the artists on Friday, September 18th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Sponsors

Schedule

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Downtown Painting

Our participating artists will be painting in Downtown Brevard.

6:30 pm -

Tuesday Night Fly Tying

Come appreciate the beauty in Fly Tying at Brevard Brewing. All skill levels welcome. Hosted by Headwaters Outfitters.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Downtown Painting

Our participating artists will be painting in Downtown Brevard.

6:00 pm -

Trivia Night

Come out for a Special Edition of Trivia Night hosted at one of our sponsors shop Earth Mountain Bicycle.

Thursday, September 17, 2026

8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Downtown Painting

Our participating artists will be painting in Downtown Brevard.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Quick Draw

It’s a rare chance to watch creativity unfold on the spot in a 2 hour painting competition. Meet the artists, and enjoy the energy of art happening in real time. Stroll through downtown and see talented artists painting en plein air — capturing the charm of our streets, storefronts, and everyday life right before your eyes. Bring a friend, take a walk, and see downtown through the eyes of an artist!

Friday, September 18, 2026

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Patrons Preview Party

Be among the first to experience the incredible artwork created during the 6th Annual Brevard Plein Air Festival at our Patrons Preview Party at the historic Trust Center. This special ticketed event gives you the first opportunity to view and purchase beautiful original paintings before they go on sale to the general public. Twenty-five plus talented artists from across the country have spent the week painting throughout Transylvania County and Downtown Brevard, bringing the area’s landscapes, streets, and landmarks to life on canvas. Spend the evening meeting the artists, enjoying delicious appetizers, sipping a glass of wine, and listening to live music by Rick Kunicky. Whether you’re looking for the perfect piece to take home or simply want to enjoy a fun evening surrounded by art, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Tickets

Saturday, September 19, 2026

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wet Paint Sale

All available paintings created during the week will be on display and ready for purchase at the Trust Center.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Makers Market

On West Main St & West Jordan St. browse 25+ booths showing and selling handmade pottery, jewelry, textiles, photography, wood work, and more! Including a couple of food trucks mixed in.

11:30 am -

Awards Ceremony

The winners from Thursday’s “Quick Draw” Competition, plus the “Best in Show” painting from the entire Festival, will be recognized at the Trust Center.

Music

Saturday, September 19, 2026

The Neverwhere Sisters

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Carrie Morrison and Jamie Leigh Bennet come together to form The Neverwhere Sisters.
Carrie Morrison is a popular Brevard, NC-based singer/songwriter/pianist known for her heartfelt lyrics, warm, expressive vocals, and melody-driven songs blending folk, Celtic, and rock influences. She was voted in the top three in the keyboardist/pianist category in Mountain Xpress’s Best of WNC awards for three years running. Carrie performs both as a solo artist and with several bands and collaborations, including in a duo with cellist/flutist JamieLeigh Bennett, called The Neverwhere Sisters. Her most recent albums, released in 2025, are “Balladeer, ” produced by Chris Rosser, and “The Crosswalk” (EP), recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. She is an English teacher at Brevard High School.
Jamie Leigh Bennett is a professional cellist and flutist living in the upstate of SC. A native of NJ, Jamie Leigh has a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from the University of Georgia and her Master’s in Flute Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Upon moving to WNC, Jamie Leigh began performing with singer/songwriter Hope Griffin and can be heard on Griffin’s albums. She has also recorded with other artists in the area, including Andrew Thelston and Debbie Jackson. Jamie Leigh also performs with Carrie Morrison as the duo The Neverwhere Sisters. The unique combination of piano, cello, flute, and vocals captures an audience. The duo recorded a self-titled EP and released it in 2021. Jamie Leigh is married to Rob, and they have three adorable children, Kyllian, Ronen, and Kentley.

The Dazzling Urbanites

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The Dazzling Urbanites are an acoustic trio of local and regional musicians performing music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including jazz, ragtime, folk, blues and hokum.

The trio features Bill Cogswell on resophonic guitar and vocals, Josh Tinsley on mandolin and vocals, and Clay Isham on bass.

Accepted Artists

Mary Adam
Greenville, SC

Oil

Website
Rachel Alfonso-Smith
Pisgah Forest, NC

Water Color & Acrylic

Website
Jeanie Bernard
Brevard, NC

Acrylic

Website
Robin Dail
Mills River, NC

Oil

Website
Charlie DeRuiter
Fayetteville, GA

Oil

Website
Jim Finch
Columbia, SC

Oil

Website
Lamar Gilstrap
Newnan, GA

Oil

Website
Millie Gosch
College Park, GA

Oil

Website
Elizabeth Hanfelt
Tucker, GA

Watercolor

Website
Patricia Kehoe
Hendersonville, NC

Oil

Website
Mary Knierim
Brevar, NC

Watercolor

Website
Mary Negron
Cumming, GA

Oil

Website
Susan O'Connell
Hendersonville, NC

Oil

Website
Laura Oleniacz
Durham, NC

Acrylic & Oil

Website
Roy Paschal
West Columbia, SC

Acrylic

Website
Lori Keith Robinson
Savannah, GA

Oil

Website
James Sargeant
Hendersonville, NC

Watercolor

Website
Jinsheng Song
Lakeland, FL

Oil

Website
Scott Sullivan
Brevard, NC

Acrylic

Website
William Taldone
Palm Harbor, FL

Oil

Website
Bryan Thomas
Brevard, NC

Pastel & Acrylic

Website
Gina Tunney
Canton, NC

Watercolor & Oil

Website
Daniel Wornicov
Gatlinburg, TN

Acrylic & Oils

Website
Cynthia Zimmerman
Brevard, NC

Acrylic

Website

Featured Artist

Featured Artist

Patricia Sweet

Masterfully capturing the romantic beauty of nature, nationally acclaimed artist Patricia Sweet paints with a passion that radiates her reverence for the natural world. Sweet emphasizes dynamic light and atmosphere in her paintings. After two decades of painting el plein air, Sweet continues to travel the world capturing fleeting moments on canvas, participating in distinguished national exhibitions, Plein Air Competitions, and loves sharing her abilities as an instructor to students of all levels.

Artist Website