Preserving A Picturesque America (P.A.P.A.) is an organization that seeks and revisits sites depicted in the book, “Picturesque America". These places were painted by adventure artists in the late 1800's and were influential in the early conservation movement in the United States. PAPA invites modern artists and writers to return to those same vantage points from the early book and create a contemporary rendition of these locations. Many sites from the book that have been located are now in national and state parks or other protected areas, while others are on private land. Some no longer exist due to human impact or natural causes.

Scott Varn of PAPA will return after three years to update everyone on the progress of this amazing conservation project. Early artistic representations and tales of natural wonders were key in creating the concept of conservation in 1800s America.
Scott will be sharing these stories of discovery, plus art and photos from many locations around America and now ways you can join the adventure. He will also be sharing a sneak peak of the PAPA art exhibition and the newly updated version of the French Broad serial, all to benefit and protect our local scenic wonders along the French Broad River.

Scott is a Fine Arts and Media Arts graduate from USC who is rarely caught without his hiking boots or sketch pad. As a story teller, artist, counselor, Scout Master and long time environmental educator, founding PAPA is simply the merging of his skills to help save our amazing natural wonders. www.preservationthroughart.org