The sixth annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival took place on May 15 and 16. This festival featured over 50 Fine Art and Craft exhibits and was setup as a street fair on River Road in front of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
In addition to the artists exhibits, Ripley’s dedicated the entire patio of the aquarium to children’s activities. The Gatlinburg Branch of the Smoky Mountains Boys & Girls Club were on hand teaching children how to make pottery, create crafts and small color murals. Free face painting and entertainment was also available.
The 2010 festival stepped up it’s environmental conservation efforts. All artists were provided with shopping bags of recycled material and concessions were served in environmental friendly packaging.
On Friday night a Night with the Artist party was held. Local watercolorist G. Webb was honored with an Achievement Award and Jean Ogle received the festival’s inaugural Patron Award. Proceeds from the party benefit the Gatlinburg branch of the Boys & Girls Club, Sevier County Arts Council and the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.
Onyx Blackburn is the Dean of Smoky Mountain University. His experience in the Smoky Mountains is quite extensive being a life-long resident. An avid outdoorsman, Onxy spends most of his free time in the woods. He always has his head to the ground to looking for great things to do and new things to teach our students. Onxy sniffs out great vacation deals to help you save money on your Smokies vacation. 
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