The Lights of Home/Gatlinburg Bicentennial Event huge success

The fun that everyone had at the event continues.  For a limited time after the event, all canvases purchased can receive a special silk screen remarque on the verso side, signifying this occasion.  A limited number of limited edition prints of Biltmore Estates will be available with a HAND Remarque.  The special remarque designed by Thomas Kinkade features one of the spires of the Estate drawn by hand on the verso side of the canvas.

See the specially designed remarque. This remarque will be silk screened on the verso side of the canvas of each limited edition canvas purchased for a limited time.   Additionally, each limited edition canvas purchased will be hand signed by Thom. We are accepting phone orders, On-line orders, and also taking orders at each of our Art of the South Galleries.  Call and ask your Art Consultant for details!

Above:
One of the collectors who purchased a canvas at the event getting it signed and remarqued by Thom

Below:
Sketch of the upcoming release of Gatlinburg

Thomas Kinkade unveiled at the event in Gatlinburg plans for a December release of a new studio work.  The release, tentatively called Mountain Memories, will be a street scene of downtown Gatlinburg.  Pictured below, the sketch captures the vitality of Gatlinburg as visitors walk the sidewalks and vintage automobiles cruise the streets.

Press Release

World Renowned Artist Thomas Kinkade just completed visit to Gatlinburg. 
Artist Thomas Kinkade made a personal appearance in Gatlinburg.  This personal appearance by Thomas Kinkade was designated as an official Gatlinburg Bicentennial Event.  The event, held October 6th at The Mills Auditorium of the Gatlinburg Convention Center, was also a benefit for the Gatlinburg Boys and Girls Club Building fund.   

The fund raising event featured the chance to purchase a Thomas Kinkade original sketch.  The sketch was done live on stage while the audience watched, then it was auctioned to the highest bidder.  The winning bid was $10,000.00 from Patti  & Bruce Smythe of Knoxville.  100% of the proceeds went to the Boys and Girls Club of Gatlinburg Building Fund.  The Smythe's were excited to become the proud owner of a Thomas Kinkade original sketch.  They were even more happy that the money paid for it was going to such a worthy cause.

Additionally, a Thomas Kinkade framed limited edition canvas was given away in a drawing during the event.    All proceeds from the auction and donations benefited the Boys and Girls Club of Gatlinburg Building Fund.  Sue Byrd of Cave City, Kentucky was the entrant drawn to win the canvas valued at $1,680.00.  When contacted by the owner of the galleries, Ms. Byrd had this to say, "I have just been ecstatic ever since I heard I had won!   I have loved Thomas Kinkade for so many years and I didn't think I would ever be able to afford one of these beautiful oil on canvas prints.  My husband had a heart condition for several years befor he passed away".  It's exciting to be able to give away a canvas to such a deserving winner!! 

The need for a Boys and Girls club was recognized by Jim Gerding, a lifelong resident and businessman in Gatlinburg.  Mr. Gerding was asked how the project first began.  “I had a meeting with Mark Ross, the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Smoky Mountains.  I asked Mark what it would take to start a Boys and Girls Club here in Gatlinburg.  He told me we would need three things; a temporary location, a proposed permanent location, and $100,000.00.  The Methodist Church here in Gatlinburg was gracious enough to provide a temporary location and I set out asking all the business owners in town for donations to make it a reality.  The Sevier County Board of Education saw the importance of having a meeting place for the children of Gatlinburg and provided the location near the high school on a lease for only $1.00 per year for the next 55 years.  We jumped at this opportunity and paid the lease in full by writing them a check for $55.00. The current temporary location can accommodate about 140 children.  There is currently a waiting list of children who would like to participate.  The new facility, when completed will accommodate over 500."

 Jim Gerding has worked tirelessly on this project for some time now.   Expected completion date is now December of this year.  To date more than one million dollars has been raised.   Additional funds are needed to complete the funding for this very worthwhile project.   “I would really like to see us move in to the new building debt free,” said Gerding.  “We will really appreciate the donations that will come in through this event.  Our hope is that others will see the importance of this project and make their donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Gatlinburg Building Fund.”

Thomas Kinkade to publish painting of Gatlinburg. 
In conjunction with his personal appearance, world renowned artist Thomas Kinkade, through the Thomas Kinkade Company, has just announced plans for a new limited edition release of an original oil painting of Gatlinburg.  The painting is being done to commemorate Gatlinburg’s Bicentennial.  Thomas Kinkade, known as the Painter of Light^tm, will create a studio master work that will feature light infused buildings along the Parkway.  Downtown Gatlinburg will be showcased against a backdrop of a late evening sunset.  In the painting, visitors to Gatlinburg will be enjoying a day of shopping and the sights and sounds of a street fair-like atmosphere.  Thom unveiled a detailed sketch of the new release at the event on  October 6th.  (see it pictured above)

 The tentative title of the new release is Mountain Memories.  Current plans call for a series of paintings entitled Gatlinburg, Then and Now.  The new release that was unveiled will be a modern day Gatlinburg, bustling with visitors.  There is an ongoing search for early photos of Gatlinburg (also known as White Oaks Flats).  These photos would be used as research for a future release of a city scene of a bygone era.

 To add to the excitement at the event, Thom also unveiled two other new paintings, a much anticipated rendering of Biltmore Estates as well as Spirit of Christmas, 2007's Christmas release.

Left:  Thomas Kinkade unveiling the original of Biltmore Estates that was just finished.     Right:  Thom unveiling a Spirit of Christmas Limited edition canvas, this year's Christmas release.

   

Pictured above is Thomas Kinkade with the Staff of Art of the South Family of Galleries

 About The Thomas Kinkade Foundation   
Thomas Kinkade's partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network adds to a long list of charitable endeavors during his career. Kinkade has helped raise millions of dollars for charities around the world, including Make-A-Wish Foundation®. His personal mission to spread light and joy into the homes of others has earned him the distinction of being the most collected living artist in U.S. history. Kinkade encourages East Tennessee residents to volunteer for community service projects by calling or visiting 1-800-Volunteer.org.

 The Thomas Kinkade Company publishes the work of Thomas Kinkade and distributes his art and related collectibles through independently owned galleries worldwide, an extensive network of branded and licensed dealers; and strategic marketing relationships with such companies as Avon Products, Inc., QVC Inc. and more than 60 licensees. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.thomaskinkade.com.

 About Art of the South 
Founded in 1997 in Cleveland, TN, Art of the South was one of the first Thomas Kinkade Signature Galleries in the eastern half of the US. Art of the South is now based in Gatlinburg with a total of 10 galleries, 6 of which are in Sevier County. More information about Art of the South or any of the artists mentioned can be found at www.artofthesouth.com.

A good time was had by all

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