There are many ways to enjoy a trail—a long run, a hard ride, a contemplative stroll. Much like a path winding through the woods, art is also wide open for personal exploration, existing to challenge us, ground us, and encourage discovery. Projects around the Blue Ridge are merging art and nature, offering opportunities to enjoy creativity outside of traditional museum and gallery spaces.

In addition to enhancing outdoor experiences, Miranda Kyle, arts and culture project manager for the Atlanta BeltLine, says placing installations outside and along trails helps democratize art by making it accessible to more people.

“There may be that kid out there who would never go to a museum and feels like that space is not for them,” Kyle said. “Then they see the artwork on the trail and get inspired as the next generation of creatives. Public art serves to be an example of the best of our hopes and dreams, what we want for ourselves and our city. If that isn’t inclusive and accessible, then it has failed.”

Most people who visit Elk Knob State Park come for the views of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia mountains from the Summit Trail. While the Beech Tree Trail, an easy one-mile loop around the picnic area, does not offer the same views, visitors will walk through an American Beech forest marked with engraved hand-printed works of art.

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The artwork was created on sections of stumps of hazardous trees that had to be removed for the new trail. After treatment by the artists using various mediums, the sections are being put back into place, providing visual surprises for hikers.

Ranger Kelly Safley said the idea originated while brainstorming with the Interpretive and Education Council of the state parks system, which includes rangers, exhibit experts and education specialists. The thought of somehow incorporating artwork into a trail reoccurred for Safley as she was trimming the trail of hazardous trees. The TRACK Trail – also known as the Beech Tree Trail – is a perfect candidate as one of 28 in the parks system specially adapted to spark kids’ exploration.

Safley cut the wooden sections from waist-high stumps and gave them to the Student Art League at the university. “Some local area artists wanted to create pieces also, so the concept has grown into a community art project,” she said. “We intend to continue working with ASU and the community to have a stockpile of art and rotate out the pieces, so it is an ever-changing gallery.”

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