The rolling lawns of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage are set to become an open-air studio this Saturday, as artists take part in a plein air event at the historic Nashville estate. The Chestnut Group scheduled its Plein Air Day at the Hermitage for November 7, 2026, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with members painting the fall colors and iconic landscapes of the property throughout the day.
The event, according to The Chestnut Group, gives visitors the chance to watch artists paint live on the historic grounds while also browsing and purchasing original artwork.
Four Workshops Open to Every Skill Level
Beyond the competition, the day is built around four two-hour painting workshops, split between a morning session from 10 a.m. to noon and an afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Hermitage describes the workshops as open to all skill levels, meaning first-timers and seasoned painters alike could pull up a stool. The morning sessions include How to Paint a Loose Landscape, led by instructor Rachael McCampbell, and How to Paint What You See: Understanding Value, led by Luke Joshu, teaching techniques for creating loose, expressive landscapes, per The Hermitage's event listing.
In the afternoon, instructor Suzanne LeBeau leads How to Paint a Simple Perspective, while Ingrid Derrickson teaches the Fall Still Life Painting Workshop, which focuses on a fall-inspired arrangement featuring seasonal elements such as flowers, squash, and pumpkins.
Where to Find the Painters on the Grounds
The Hermitage sits at 4580 Rachel's Lane in Nashville, Tennessee, according to Nashville Lifestyles, which listed the event alongside its arts and special-events calendar.
Nashville Parent included Plein Air Day in its roundup of the Hermitage's fall programming, noting that Chestnut Group artists would paint throughout the grounds with workshops available for visitors interested in trying outdoor painting themselves.
That same fall lineup from the Hermitage includes Ghost Tours, which the outlet reported run Thursdays through Sundays through November 7, with tours offered at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. — meaning visitors who spend the day watching painters at work could stick around after dark for one of the estate's other seasonal offerings.
