The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Chestnut Group, an alliance of Middle Tennessee landscape artists, will hold an exhibit and sale of their plein air paintings of the Duck River to support The Nature Conservancy’s conservation work on the biologically rich Duck River. Plein air, a French term meaning “open air,” refers to artists who create their landscape paintings on location.

For the Duck River exhibit, artists from the Chestnut Group have been painting outdoors along the Duck River, drawing inspiration from nature. More than 30 painters are expected to participate in the exhibit. Half of the proceeds from the sale of paintings at the event will go to The Nature Conservancy’s Duck River Program. Since the Chestnut Group’s founding in 2001, it has raised over $100,000 to support local environmental causes.

The exhibit will take place Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12 at 123 West 7th Street in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. Hours each day will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The Nature Conservancy’s Duck River Program embodies the drive behind our group,” said Andrea Jones, chair for the Duck River event. “The Chestnut Group’s mission is to preserve the land that we love to paint to help ensure that it is there for future generations to enjoy. Working along the scenic Duck River has opened our eyes even more to the stunning beauty within our state.”

Winding 269 miles through Middle Tennessee, the Duck River is one of the state’s most scenic waterways. It is the sole water source for more than 250,000 Tennesseans, and its water quality is crucial not only for humans but also for the animals and the economy of the region.  Underneath its surface, the Duck River teems with an almost unsurpassed variety of animal life, including 151 species of fish, 55 freshwater mussel species, and many other forms of aquatic life. In fact, the Duck River contains more species of fish than all the rivers of Europe combined and more fish species per mile than any other river in North America.

Since 1999, The Nature Conservancy’s Duck River Program has been working with local communities, businesses and government agencies on long-term protection of the river’s water quality and ecological integrity. Initiatives have included stabilization of eroding stream banks, creation of “smart growth” guidelines for developers, and relocation programs for endangered species of mussels.

To obtain digital artwork and photos, or to arrange interviews with Chestnut Group representatives and Nature Conservancy staff, please contact Paul Kingsbury: 615-383-9909

pkingsbury@tnc.org