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Paint the Parks: En Plein Air Art Celebration at Historic Yates Mill County Park

Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2026

Time: 8:30am-5pm

Venue: A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research at Historic Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh

Price: Free

Category: Family

For two months this summer, local artists set up their easels across Wake County’s parks and preserves, capturing their beauty and character through outdoor painting. Now you’re invited to experience their work firsthand at a traveling art exhibit that will visit several parks throughout 2026 as part of the 50th anniversary of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. The exhibit will be set up at each park’s center or office and will be open during the facility’s regular hours. Historic Yates Mill County Park will feature the exhibit Aug. 7-Oct. 11 in the A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research.

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Family · Raleigh

Paint the Parks: En Plein Air Art Celebration at Historic Yates Mill County Park

“Pair the indoor art viewing with a walk on the shaded Mill Pond Trail.”

When
Today
Mon, Sep 14, 2026
8:30am-5pm
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
Free
raleighfreefamily friendly

Paint the Parks: En Plein Air Art Celebration at Historic Yates Mill County Park is a traveling art exhibition showcasing landscape paintings created by local artists in Wake County's nature preserves. Located inside the air-conditioned A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research, this free exhibit is open during regular park center hours starting August 7. It is best suited for school-age children and adults who can appreciate quiet gallery spaces. Parking is free in the main park lot, and you can easily combine the indoor gallery viewing with a walk on the stroller-friendly boardwalk trail to see the historic mill pond. This exhibit makes a great weekend stop because it offers a cool, educational indoor break after a morning of hiking the park trails. It is an easy way to introduce kids to local art without the pressure of a formal museum setting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an admission fee for the art exhibit?
No, viewing the art exhibition inside the education center is completely free.
Where is the exhibit located and where should I park?
The paintings are on display inside the A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research at Historic Yates Mill County Park. You can park for free in the main gravel lot right outside the center.

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Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Paint the Parks: En Plein Air Art Celebration at Historic Yates Mill County Park runs Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 8:30am-5pm.

Getting There

A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research at Historic Yates Mill County Park is at 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research at Historic Yates Mill County Park →

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen and water bottles — this one's outdoors
  • A blanket or low chairs for staking out a spot

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