Maryville College Parsons Hall , Great Smoky Mountains, Maryville, TN, Tennessee

How can a building, standing silent and still, speak of centuries of knowledge and growth?

It was early—just before the sun kissed the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance. The air was cool, with the promise of autumn rustling through the trees. I stood on the lawn of Maryville College, preparing my drone to capture the grandeur of Parsons Hall at sunrise. The brick building stood tall, as it has for generations, a symbol of higher learning in East Tennessee. As I maneuvered the drone into position, I could hear the soft footsteps of students heading to early morning classes, backpacks slung over their shoulders. The campus was coming to life, but for a few moments longer, I had the quiet serenity of the scene to myself.

Capturing sunrise shots is always a challenge. The light changes so quickly, creating both opportunity and complexity. And with the first classes of the day beginning, I had only a small window to capture the drone’s aerial perspective before foot traffic became too heavy. Parsons Hall, with its stately columns and rich history, stood as a reminder of the college’s founding in 1819. This hall, once a central hub of student life, had seen decades of change, yet remained a steadfast part of the campus, connecting past and present.

As the sun’s golden rays stretched across the lawn, illuminating the facade of Parsons Hall, I felt a deep sense of connection to the place. The building itself seemed to glow, as if welcoming the new day. The history of Maryville College, with its commitment to faith, education, and community, was woven into the very bricks of this structure. To photograph it was to capture a piece of that legacy.

1) Since we create each piece of our custom fine art specifically for you, we don't offer returns. Every image is made-to-order, making it unique and personal. But we want you to love your artwork! If it arrives damaged or there's a problem with it, we'll gladly exchange it or send you a replacement to make things right.

2) The artist's signature on each piece of our fine art, placed in the bottom corner, authenticates the work as a unique creation and adds a personal touch.

3.1) Only framed paper prints, acrylics and aluminum/metal prints will have a 2" white mat border.
3.2) Canvas prints will be a flush mounted (no mat border) to the frame.