Kyle Buckland
“Kyle Buckland was raised in an art-loving household with parents who fostered his artistic curiosity and creativity. He has been an artist from an early age, and William King Museum has witnessed his growth from his earliest days as a youth in our summer camps in the late ‘90s. Today, we are proud to be the home base for his art studio, which has been on our campus cumulatively for eight years,” says Betsy White, executive director of William King Museum of Art, Abingdon, Virginia.
Buckland reflects on his career, “My career has truly been defined by the philosophy of putting one foot in front of the other. It has been a long and rewarding journey, and the Southwest Virginia arts community has remained its central anchor. I have always felt at home here, supported by an incredible network of private and corporate collectors. A significant milestone for me was the commission from First Bank & Trust to create a large-scale collection for their new corporate headquarters.
“My professional foundation was built in my early 20s as a full-time scenic artist at Barter Theatre, where I developed the technical discipline required to paint on a grand scale. For over 15 years, my wife and I have both worked as full-time artistic professionals. My work has since gained national recognition, leading to opportunities to teach workshops across the country and serve as a faculty member for the Plein Air Convention & Expo for the past four years. Most recently, I was honored to receive Best in Show at the Abingdon Plein Air in 2025, and I look forward to serving as the judge for the event’s 10th anniversary show this October.”
Buckland was inducted into the prestigious Plein Air Painters of the Southeast in 2021. He is a resident studio artist at William King Museum’s Art Lab. A self-taught artist deeply influenced by French Impressionism, he is a frequent faculty member at the Plein Air Convention and Expo. His work is held in hundreds of private and corporate collections worldwide. Some of his awards include best in show Abingdon Plein Air, best in show Floyd Plein Air Biennial, best in show Lynchburg Plein Air Festival, second place Bath County Plein Air Festival and signature artist Virginia Highlands Festival.
He has taught plein air painting and other art media privately and through a variety of institutions including William King Museum of Art, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Town Square for the Arts, Emory & Henry University and Plein Air Convention and Expo. His classes fill up in the blink of an eye and people travel from out of state to learn from him.
Buckland is dedicated to his community. He can be compassionate and thoughtful, standing up for himself as an artist while also giving others a hand up. When the region was hit by Hurricane Helene, Buckland, who is also a musician, worked with ReString Appalachia to get refurbished guitars into the hands of musicians who lost their instruments in the storms.
Buckland says, “The arts are the lifeblood of a thriving community. Institutions like Barter Theatre and William King Museum of Art are more than just landmarks; they are testimonies to the cultural importance of our region. Having a studio at William King has made it a second home to me, and I cannot imagine my development as an artist without these establishments.
“In an increasingly digital world, I believe there is a growing craving for the tactile and the authentic. Preserving the tradition of painting and passing it to the next generation is a primary focus of my work. I was deeply inspired as a young artist by seeing professionals like John Sauers at William King, and I strive to offer that same inspiration today by keeping my studio open to the public as a space for learning and creative exchange.”
He and his wife, Jennifer, are building a new studio on Boone Street in Abingdon, Virginia, to represent their commitment to the area. It will serve as the center for their professional practice and community engagement.
“I am sincerely honored to receive this recognition from the community that has championed my work for so long. I would like to thank Betsy White for the nomination, as well as A! Magazine and the broader arts community for their steadfast support. It is a privilege to represent Southwest Virginia and our vibrant local art scene,” Buckland says.
