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Rocky Top

Decorative Painters

Our Humble Beginnings

An organization meeting was held sometime in February 1981 and The Energy Expo Tolers Chapter was created. The first officers were elected in March 1981 : Pres. Paula Crawford, Vice-Pres. Allie Hassenboehler, Sec. Dot Boruff, Treas. Genny Payne. Dues were $5.00 per year. The Chapter was required to choose a different name later on when they learned they could not use the phrase "Energy Expo" because of its connection to the 1982 World's Fair. The new name became Rocky Top Toler and Decorative Painters. The Chapter year was also changed and now runs from January 1 to December 31.

Our first newsletter was published in June 1981. Jeanne Carter and Donna Meyers were the first nationally known instructors who taught seminars in 1981 and 1982 respectively. Patty Butters, an original chapter organizer was honored in 1981 before she moved away and became active on the national level. All three have honorary membership in the Chapter.

In August 1982 dues were increased to $7.50 per year. A chapter logo was also designed and submitted by Jean Gregory, a heart with dogwood and a paint brush, for the Chapter. Jean taught the Chapter how to paint the logo in 1983. She was presented with the first pin. She also painter the logo for the National's files.

The Chapter received its Charter from the National Society of Decorative Painters (now International) in April 1983 at the 11th annual convention held in New Orleans, LA.

In January 1991 Chapter dues were increased to $10.00 per year and the Chapter name was changed to Rocky Top Decorative Painters. In 2005 the yearly dues were changed to $15.00 per year. The Chapter continues to fulfill the goals of the Charter members : to share the love of decorative painting, provide workshops and seminars, and to provide opportunities for learning and exchange of ideas and knowledge..

Who We Are

Rocky Top Decorative Painters ( RTDP) is a local chapter In Knoxville, TN. RTDP is affiliated with the International Society of Decorative Painters (SDP). Our purpose is to promote a high quality of decorative art by conducting workshops, seminars, and monthly meetings. There are eight business meetings a year as required by SDP. Two social gatherings are also included in the year. We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month except for November and December. Business meetings are held at The Square Dance Center, 828 Tulip Ave, Knoxville, TN 37921. The meetings start at 9:00 AM and are followed by classes given by members or invited guests. The Chapter sponsors paid workshops by qualified teachers during the year including seminars by nationally known artists. We also have a large library containing instructions books, videos, magazines, and artifacts. The Chapter dues are $15.00 per year and the SDP dues are $60.00 per year. You must be a member of SDP to be a member of the Chapter. Click on this link to go to the SDP website.

We welcome all who love to paint, those who wish to learn decorative painting, those who would share their knowledge with us, and anyone who likes to laugh, make new friends, and share joy. Please join us.

What We Do

Rocky Top Decorative Painters also does community outreach. We have painted visors for doctors to take to citizens in Central America to help prevent blindness from the sun and the development of cataracts. We have painted memory boxes for the hospitals in Knoxville and the surrounding communities. We have painted tote bags and small suitcases for women and children shelters. We also painted keepsake boxes for children in residential homes and shelters. RTDP also donated and painted small tokens or gifts to be included on Mobile Meal trays for a number of years. The Chapter members were also interviewed, filmed, and appeared on a local television news segment for our work with Mobile Meals. Put brushes in our hands, give us surfaces to paint, and magic happens. 

A member teacher, a seminar or two, a member artist and outreach

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