Orchids Beautification Awards
November 4, 2026 at Knoxville Museum of Art
Since 1979, Keep Knoxville Beautiful has presented Orchids Beautification Awards to Knoxville and Knox County buildings, public art, and outdoor spaces that beautify and elevate the local landscape. In addition to traditional categories such as New Architecture, Redesign/Reuse, Outdoor Space, and Public Art, Keep Knoxville Beautiful highlights the accomplishments and sustainable efforts of our valuable volunteers, community partners, and green organizations and businesses.
Special Thanks to our 2026 Orchid Sponsors:
Congratulations to our 2026 Orchid nominees:
New Architecture
UT Medical Nursing Building
Covenant Health Park
Axle Logistics HQ 2
Lone Tree Pass
Liberty Place
5500 Kingston Pike Retail Store
The Overlook at Beaumont
Redesign/Reuse
Kern's Bakery / Food Hall
YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley
Knoxville First Seventh-day Adventist Church
Mother Bar
The Gateway - Metro Drug Coalition
Redeemer Church of Knoxville
Tennessee Theatre 612 Expansion
625 N Broadway
Sunsphere Welcome Center
Historic Rule House
Outdoor Space
121 Tech Hub patio
Gazebo and Picnic area Restoration
Third Creek Greenway’s Zig Zag Bridge
The Tennessean Hotel Landscape Yard and Entry Area
Davis Family YMCA
Hardwicke Dr BLOOM Project
21st Street Plaza
Urban Wilderness Gateway Park
Community Project
Dogwood Arts Bazillion Blooms Program
Karns Branch Library Garden
Vine Middle Magnet School Outdoor Learning Landscape
Public Art
Black History Statue Series at Covenant Health Park
ReGreening
Inskip-Norwood Community Center Microforest
Gay Street Bridge North Landing
KUB/Trees Knoxville/KCDC Five Points Tree Planting
EV Davidson Rooftop Solar Project
GREEN AT WORK
UT Office of Sustainability
Smurfit Westrock
honorary Orchid Awards will be presented in the following categories:
City of Knoxville Bright Spot Award, Knox County Bright Spot, and Knox County Schools Bright Spot Award (Awarded to projects that exemplify the values of promoting a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Knoxville).
Mary Lou Horner Award (Awarded to a past Orchid winner that have continued Orchid worthiness).
Felicia Award (Awarded to a community member who exemplifies the values of promoting a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Knoxville).
Volunteer of the Year Award
Adopt -A- Road Group of the Year
Adopt -A- Stream Group of the Year
