The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture announced on April 15 that it will host the “Rooted in Creativity: A Champion Tree Artist Showcase” featuring artwork by UT students inspired by Tennessee’s largest and oldest Champion Trees. The event is scheduled for April 24 from 5–8 p.m. at the Museum of Infinite Outcomes in Knoxville’s Parkridge neighborhood.
The showcase aims to connect people with nature through artistic storytelling while highlighting conservation and sustainability. Organizers hope it will encourage community involvement in recognizing and protecting historical trees for future generations.
Kyndal Hazen, an undergraduate art student, said, “The National Tree Champion Program, tree conservation and connection to nature are all near to my heart, so this project feels like welcoming people into that world and helping them see nature the same way I do. It’s exciting working on pieces I’m passionate about and having a team of people working to make this dream real.”
Students from art, marketing, and urban forestry collaborated as part of an independent study course led by Jaq Payne, director of the National Champion Tree Program. Payne said students are gaining interdisciplinary skills through hands-on experience: “It’s taking everything they’re learning in the classroom and bringing it into reality. By combining the best of what each field offers, we end up with a much stronger project than if any of us had tackled this alone.”
Caroline Toole, an undergraduate marketing student involved in the project, said working alongside peers from different backgrounds has been valuable: “It’s given us the chance to build skills in communication, collaboration, and marketing that are difficult to fully develop through coursework alone. It’s also been valuable to work alongside students and staff from different backgrounds. Bringing together perspectives from forestry, marketing and art has pushed us to think more creatively and approach the project in a well-rounded way.”
According to the official website, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture obtains funding from federal and state appropriations as well as research grants, contracts, gifts, endowments, and commodity sales. The institute promotes community enhancement by offering research-driven approaches designed to boost quality of life across Tennessee communities. According to its official website, UTIA features ten AgResearch centers statewide along with ninety-five Extension offices—a structure supporting its land-grant mission.
The National Champion Tree Program moved under UT’s School of Natural Resources in 2023 with a focus on public education about large tree preservation nationwide.
Looking ahead, according to UTIA, practical solutions delivered through teaching, research,and outreach remain central priorities for advancing sustainable management practices throughout Tennessee.
