Pictured above, paintings from 2024 Exhibition (clockwise from center top): "Marsh View from the Trail" by Katie Brinkley; “Flower Girls’ Patch” by Kennie Mauche; “Butterfly” by Kara Kaufman Macek; "Early Light at the Frog Pond Trailhead" by Nicole Stewart; “Turkey Trail” by Alison Barry; “Nature Calls” by Spencer Riddile; “Double Oak Farm” by Pat Morrison
Art for All Seasons Description
ACLT’s Art for All Seasons is “Plein Air with a Twist” – artists from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties are invited to paint (or sculpt) the beautiful landscapes of ACLT. The “event” will last for an entire year and will take place throughout ACLT’s 3500 acres of preserved lands along 26 miles of trails. The trails run through dense forests and along gurgling streams, as well as farm fields, a flower garden, and meadows … not to mention the many structures sprinkled throughout, and the main attraction – Parkers Creek, which has been described as “one of the last remaining pristine watersheds on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay” – Find Your Chesapeake (Feb. 2019)
We call it “Plein Air with a Twist” because while Plein Air painters normally produce art from life (as opposed to in the studio), many of the sites at ACLT are challenging to access. Therefore, we allow artists to start paintings onsite and complete them in their studios. This is not a competition and is not a fundraiser. Our objective is to welcome the Southern Maryland art community to share the beauty of ACLT through their creations. Artists are encouraged to paint through all four seasons of the year, culminating with a 17-day exhibition at the prestigious Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland (AMG).
Important Dates
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August 20, 2026 – Registration Opens (first-come-first-serve) Limited to 35 artists from Calvert, Charles & St. Mary’s Counties.
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September 12, 2026 (1pm-5pm) – Official Kick-Off at ACLT's Annual Sip & Save beer-tasting event – North Side Trailhead. Artists are encouraged to paint onsite and are invited to display their art at the event as well.
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Optional Paint-Out Dates (note - artists are free to paint on their own at any time). The list below provides peak times to paint:
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Summer/Fall Paint-Out Days: August, September, and October - This period of time is peak bloom time for the flowers grown by volunteers at Double Oak Farm.
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Fall Paint-Out Days: The Fall foliage is at peak in early November. A guided hike is scheduled on Sunday, November 8th (no rain date)
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Winter Paint-Out Days – There are two events planned on December 5, 2026 (11am-1pm):
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ACLT’s annual Wreath & Greens Sale at South Side Trailhead: This is a very popular event and an opportunity for artists to be onsite.
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ACLT's 40th Anniversary Celebration (1pm-3pm) at the North Side Trailhead (more details to come).
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Snowy Days are a wonderful opportunity to capture the beauty of ACLT.
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Spring Paint-out Day(s) – Spring ephemerals and wildflowers, as well as Mountain Laurels, offer additional opportunities to paint.
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Ephemerals and wildflowers begin to pop up in early Spring at all Trailheads.
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Mountain Laurels are at peak at the end of May. Laurel Trail at the South Side Trailhead has the most Mountain Laurels. A guided hike will be scheduled when flowers are at their peak.
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Exhibition at Annmarie Gardens:
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The exhibition will last 17 days - from October 1, 2027 to Oct 17, 2027. An After Hours reception will be held on October 9th.
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De-installation of exhibition - October 18th. Artists must pick up any unsold work.
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Application Process
Art for All Seasons at ACLT is restricted to 35 artists from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties in Maryland on a first come first served basis. These restrictions are due to limited exhibit space at Annmarie Gardens.
Rules & Requirements for Participation
Download the Rules & Requirements for Participation here.
Paintings from 2023/2024 Art for All Seasons
View a photo gallery of paintings from the last Art for All Seasons here. Gallery created by participating Artist Spencer Riddile.
Scenes from the American Chestnut Land Trust
For those who may not be familiar with ACLT, to the right is a small sampling of scenic photos taken along several of our trails. View an interactive map, which shows the locations of some of the most scenic areas on ACLT lands, here.
