Foothills Plein Air Festival 2026
FRESH PAINT SALE | Sun. Oct. 18, noon - 6 pm
QUICK PAINT COMPETITION | Sun. Oct. 18, 2-4 pm
Grassy Creek Vineyard at 235 Chatham Cottage Ln. State Road, NC 28676
ART | WINE | LIVE MUSIC | FOOD TRUCKS
Live Music by Doug Davis & Friends and Food by Drift Along Pizza & Sliders Street Food.
Prize categories to be awarded at 6 pm:
Best in Show, Best of Downtown Elkin, People’s Choice, Quick Paint, Best Vineyard, Best Waterscape, and Best Historic Depiction.
2025 Best in Show artist Elbert Shubert will act as the Judge for the 2026 competition.
Special thanks to our event sponsors:
Surry County TDA, Elkin TDA, Explore Elkin, Derrill & Lori Rice, Klondike Cabins, Grassy Creek Vineyards, The Carolina Experience: Three Trails and Kapps Mill Estate
Festival itinerary 2026
In addition to the group painting sessions artists are encouraged to explore the Tri-County area throughout the festival.
Photo album
Elbert Shubert 2025 Best in Show & Quick Paint Competition winner.
Patricia Sweet painting at Crooked Creek Highlands
Karl Bostwick painting at Kapps Mill Estate.
Jason Clewell painting at Pilot Mountain State Park
Maryjo Gunning painting at Golden Road Vineyards.
Joan Dreicer pastel at Grassy Creek Vineyard
Peggy Petrocy painting at Claymont Hill Farms.
Andrew McWilson painting at Horne Creek Farm
Cynthia Whalen painting at Dobbins Creek Vineyard.
Artists painting during a quick paint competition.
Seneca Leonard painting at Piccione Vineyards
A few past prize winners. Patricia Sweet, Lyudmila Tomova Clark, Laurie Basham, and Seneca Leonard.