Hughes Art Show

Hughes Art Show October 2-29, 2026 Reception: October 4, 4-7 pm On view in the Visitors Center “The Hughes Art Show returns to Memphis Botanic Garden, continuing a longstanding tradition of showcasing art at the Garden. It is made up of the works of four Memphis-native siblings – Dr. Allen Hughes, Jane Hughes Coble, Sally Hughes Smith, and Anne Hughes Sayle, and Jane’s daughter Anne Hightower Trainer. The Hughes Art Show has been held at Memphis Botanic Garden nine times over the years, with the upcoming exhibition marking its return once again to the Garden. Dr. Hughes is a nationally awarded wildlife painter and carver, has had his work on the cover of or in over 40 publications, has won numerous competitions and all of his fifty limited edition prints have sold out. He is the only artist ever to win top honors at the National Wildlife Show in both painting and carving at the sale time – and he has done it twice. Jane Hughes Coble, an oil painter, has had numerous individual and group shows, had her first major drawing published in a magazine and was juried into the Best and Brightest Art Show in Scottsdale, AZ, among other honors. She co-founded the Harding Academy Art Show in 1975, being the first Art Chairman to invite outside artists to participate, and it is widely considered the original model for all the similar shows now seen in Tennessee and beyond. Sally Hughes Smith is a Memphis native, now living in Charleston, SC. She’s had 55 one woman shows (nine in museums), including the 2023 retrospective exhibit “Adrenaline Rush” at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens. She served 17 years as an active board member of the Studio Arts Center International Art center in Florence, Italy, and her works are in public and private collections in 245 cities at home and abroad. She has published three books including Rosebud Roams Charleston, now in its 6th edition. Anne Hughes Sayle is an oil painter, watercolorist, ceramic, and fabric artist. She has created large liturgical wall hangings for churches in Mississippi and Arkansas, and for the Hutchison School Chapel. She has her Masters in Fine Arts, has won the Memphis Arts in the Parks competition, has taught privately and at the college level, and does portraits and other commissions in addition to her current teaching schedule. Anne Hightower Trainer’s 40 year art career began early, at age 15, with commissioned portraits and custom drawings for architectural firms. This work continued through college and a career in marketing and advertising. She then launched a commission art business, designing and painting oil, acrylic, and watercolor custom pieces for more that 50 clients so far, from home portraits to large installations. Her niche business of custom sports helmet paintings has led to invitations to multiple art shows across the southeast and beyond.”