Use these spring temperatures as your excuse to break out and discover all that the Charlotte art scene has to offer. Whether you add weekly markets to your routine or mark your calendar for an annual festival, here’s where to find local art, artists, crafts and makers:
RECURRING EVENTS
2nd Friday Street Festival
Second Friday of Each Month Beginning May 11 | Cornelius
Celebrate the cultural heart of Old Town Cornelius with local businesses, entertainment, live art demonstrations and more. Stroll the offerings from breweries, food trucks and vendors to kick off the weekend.
The 2018 2nd Friday Street Festival Series includes:
- May 11
- June 8
- July 13
- Aug 10
- Sept 14
- Oct 12
South End Farmers & Artisans Market
Add a stop to Atherton into your Saturday morning routine. In addition to fresh farmers market produce, shop jewelry, soaps, candles and more from local vendors.
Starving Artist Markets bring together local, handmade artists from all forms, and gives shoppers a one-stop experience for local goods. Upcoming market events include:
Charlotte Art League
Station House in NoDa
- May 20th
Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Shop from over 30 handmade artists and vendors.
- March 10th
- April 14th
- May 12th
- ​June 2nd
26 Makers Market at 26 Acres
Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company, Concord
Shop pottery, jewelry, painting, and more from 26 handmade vendors.
- April 28th
- June 23rd
Uptown Art Crawl
Last Thursday of each month | 6 – 9 p.m.
Each month, discover more of Uptown’s art and culture as participating museums and galleries offer free admission with trolleys running between spots.
South End Gallery Crawl
First Friday of each month
Experience South End’s vibrant arts scene on the first Friday of each month, when neighborhood galleries and design studios open their doors for lively receptions and new exhibitions.
Front Porch Sundays
First Sunday of every month April – November | Noon – 5 p.m.
Add some culture to your Sunday Funday by shopping a selection of local and handmade vendors at Front Porch Sundays. The monthly festival also includes food trucks, live music and workout classes.
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
HousingFest Art Show 2018
Monday, April 23 |Â Mert’s Heart & Soul | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
View and celebrate the work of artists creating at the Urban Ministry Center. Art for sale benefits both the artist and the ArtWorks 945 program.
TNB Meet The Artist: Megan Dunbar
Wednesday, April 25 |Â Thirsty Nomad Brewing | 6 – 9 p.m.
For the first of their Meet the Artist events, Thirsy Nomad Brewing hosts photographer Megan Dunbar. Meet Megan, view her work and enjoy specialty brews. A portion of beer, art and coffee sales benefit ACEing Autism.
Demystifying Abstract Art with guest speaker Jessica Singerman
Wednesday, April 25 |Â Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Artist Jessica Singerman demystifies abstract art with a guide through her process, inspiration and influences.
Christy Kinard and Kim Schuessler – Sisters Show
Friday, April 27 |Â Shain Gallery | 6 – 8 p.m.
Help Shain Gallery celebrate sister duo Christy Kinard and Kim Schuessler as they bring all new work to the gallery.
By Land By Sea Opening Reception
Friday, April 27 |Â Cornelius Arts Center | 6 – 8 p.m.
Enjoy the work of Amy Hart and guest potters Renee Calder, Rae Stark and Valerie Hawkins at the opening reception of By Land By Sea. Meet the artists and view the pieces on display through June 8.
Charlotte Art Collective’s Spring Art Show and Sale
Saturday, April 28 | 2821 Park Road
Browse and shop artwork from over 20 Charlotte artists, including jewelry, photography, original prints and mixed media, at this one-day juried show. A raffle including over $500 of art and craft will benefit Dilworth Cares and Dilworth Soup Kitchen. Free admission.
Botanica
Thursday, May 3 |Â Anne Neilson Fine Art | 6 – 8 p.m.
Anne Neilson Fine Art is celebrating  their four year anniversary and the opening of BOTANICA with special guest visits, signature cocktails and feature works from Jhina Alvarado, Vesela Baker, Caroline Boykin, Pam Moxley, Eliza Thomas, Paige Follmann, Vikki Stockton, Nick Veasey and Judith Vivell.
Art By Bike
Friday, May 4 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Explore the arts in Charlotte in a whole new way – by bike. Sustain Charlotte and Historic South End team up to bring participants a self-guided art tour of the neighborhood.
Kings Drive Art Walk
May 5 – May 6 | Kings Drive
Visit with vendors and browse unique works as artists line the Little Sugar Creek Greenway at one of spring’s favorite festivals. The Kings Drive Art Walk is free and open to the public Saturday  11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting for Riva Finoli Passage
Saturday, May 5 |Â Magnolia Emporium | 1 -3 p.m.
Don’t miss the Official Naming and Ribbon Cutting of The Riva Finoli Passage, a living and enchanting alley at Magnolia Emporium.
Beyond Walls Opening Reception
Saturday, May 5 |Â Robbins Park, Cornelius | 4 – 6 p.m.
Beyond Walls, an exhibit showcasing art in public spaces, will be on display May 5 through January 2019. Join the opening reception meet the artists, enjoy free children’s activities and more.
Hello Huntersville
Sunday, May 6 | 2 – 6 p.m.
Head to Downtown Huntersville to design art projects for the community, from murals to a marble installation and a mosaic picture. Enjoy additional free art activities, entertainment and vendors offering jewelry, art and more.
Mother’s Day Sip & Shop
Friday, May 11 | 7th Street Public Market | 4:30 – 9 p.m.
Locally-owned businesses and full-time market vendors and offer the perfect venue to find the perfect gifts for the mothers in your life. The pop-up offers free sparkling wine for the first 100 guests.
2018 Vintage Charlotte Summer Market
Saturday, May 12 |Â Camp North End | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The 7th annual summer market features over 80 of the region’s best vintage and handmade vendors. Yelp Charlotte will supply shopping bags for the first 500 guests, plus food and beverage vendors will be on site. $7 early bird entry at 10 a.m., $2 general admission 11 a.m – 5 p.m.
Spring into Arts Festival
Saturday, May 12 | Downtown Concord | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Downtown Concord’s annual Spring Into Arts Festival showcases and promotes visual and performing arts with a juried art show, live entertainment, local beer and wine, kids activities and more.
CCM Spring Pottery Festival
Saturday, May 12 |Â Carolina Clay Matters | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Over 60 potters will showcase their work at the Carolina Clay matters Pottery Festival, which is free and open to the public.
Brian Rutenberg: Thunderhead Opening Weekend
May 18 – 19 |Â Jerald Melberg Gallery
Jerald Melberg Gallery welcomes Thunderhead, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Brian Rutenberg. The opening reception is from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, followed by an artist lecture Saturday at 11 a.m.
Studio Party 2018
Saturday, May 19 |Â McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 6 – 11 p.m.
The McColl Center’s annual fundraiser and artist celebration pairs national and local alumni artists-in-residence with Charlotte’s arts and culture supporters. Attendees will enjoy cocktail hour, dinner with an artists and a live auction and after party. Proceeds benefit McColl Center for Art + Innovation’s residency experience.
Sip & See
Charlotte Sewing Center | 6 – 8 p.m.
See and shop a curated trunk show of the Goodbye Valentino collection at The Charlotte Sewing Center. Guests will also enjoy happy hour and style advice from the designers.
