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Blackberry’s ‘Perennial Ties’ exhibit showcases the creative spirit of a collaborative community

Feb. 23, 2026

Poster for the latest Blackberry art exhibit at the Clayton Center for the Arts

Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain artists will collaborate for a third time to display their “Perennial Ties” exhibition through Feb. 28 in the Blackberry Farm Gallery and the William “Ed” Harmon Gallery, located in the Recital Hall Building of the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus.

Since 2019, Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain officials have elevated hospitality and deepened their commitment to the Great Smoky Mountains, with Blackberry Mountain having a dedicated art team that offers classes in a range of mediums for guests staying at the resort’s hotel. 

“The art team conceptualized and orchestrated the idea of the ‘Perennial Ties’ gallery as a way to celebrate and share Blackberry Mountain’s focus on art with the greater community,” Blackberry representatives said. “While Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are separate hotels and properties, we are all part of the Blackberry team. It was natural to collaborate and share the talent and creative passion that exists within team members and friends of both properties.”

According to the Blackberry team, there was no specific theme or guidelines the artists were asked to follow. 

“They were given the freedom to express themselves in the art form of their choosing and exhibit the range of individuality and talent that makes up the Blackberry community,” team members said.  

Attendees can expect to see a variety of media on display, including sculptures, crocheted clothing, paintings and drawings, photography and more.

Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain artists are also inviting the public to an exhibition reception in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Blackberry Farm Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.

“The reception is an opportunity to celebrate creativity and each of the artists who shared their work for this exhibition,” The Blackberry team said. “It’s an invitation to experience the art in great company and even meet some of the artists.”

Refreshments from the Blackberry Farmstead will be served for guests to enjoy while they view the artwork. Blackberry Mountain’s Art Studio manager, Polly Ann Martin, will share a toast to the 41 contributing artists and the creative spirit that exists within the Blackberry community. Many pieces will be offered for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Blackberry Farm Foundation. 

The Blackberry Farm Gallery and William “Ed” Harmon Gallery are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

— Written by McKenna Marr ’28

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”