Top Arts and Crafts Events in the Raleigh-Durham Area
Around May of each year, City Market and Moore Square in Raleigh-Durham hosts the gigantic arts festival in the downtown arts district called Artsplosure. People from all over come to show off their arts and crafts and performance artists are hired to entertain the audience. All manner of arts and crafts appear from photography and pottery, to acrylics and oils. The booths can lead one from classic sculpture to modern abstract art. It is a visual feast for the eyes. As if the booths weren’t enough, year-round galleries and a complex known as ArtSpace, which houses a collection of artist’s works, are also in this downtown area and open to visitors.
This festival is beloved by adults and children alike. This year, the center square was built up for kids activities alone. One such attraction consisted of large inflatable geometric balloons called “floating solids” that kids could push up towards the sky and watch them float in a surreal manner on large flexible strings. Other children’s games were set up in carnival fashion with face painting too. The ubiquitous sand sculpture was there and it appears Raleigh-Durham can’t have a festival without one of those!
The Exploris museum also takes part in the fun, opening its doors free of charge to visitors. In 2006, they held a student art exhibit at the same time the Artsplosure was going on, in addition to showcasing other foreign-born artists.
There are multiple good eats that line the streets and even the neighborhood cafes are open with seating for those who are tired of all the frantic activity. If you love art and want to see the downtown area for free, this is definitely a must see. You might even pass a nice view of the Capitol building on your way there. For more information on when the next Artsplosure will happen, check out the first night website at www.firstnightraleigh.com.
The North Carolina State Fair
In case you’re thinking that state fairs are all about the farm animals and the carnival rides, that’s not the case in Raleigh. Every year, around mid-October, Raleigh has its State Fair on the State Fairgrounds on Blue Ridge Road. Concerts, competitions, plant shows, and all kinds of activities are available for everyone.
The Village of Yesteryear, however, hosts some of the most unique arts and crafts from all over the state and shouldn’t be overlooked simply because this is a state fair. Native American crafts and dried flower collages are just some of the beautiful offerings in this area. Artisans show people how to do old time crafts like spinning wool as well. Over 75 artisans show up and cram wall-to-wall in the Holshouser Building on the State Fairgrounds. Although admittance is paid to the Fair, every year Food Lion sponsors a Hunger Relief Day where anyone who donates four cans of canned food to the fair can get free admission. For this year’s state fair information go to: http://www.ncstatefair.org/2006/.
Festival For the Eno
This blue grass, hippie-styled free-lovin’ festival is actually a bonanza for the arts and craft seeker and is held in July. It is located in Raleigh’s sister city of Durham. You can spot candle work, tie-dye, beadwork, jewelry, arts, stone, leather, pottery, and glasswork among the mix of eclectic arts and craft. In addition, there is a children’s area where young would-be potters can learn the art of spinning.
This festival is billed as an ecological conservation project but don’t let that fool you. They are quite serious about attracting artisans and craft workers while learning how to save the environment and teaching people about the Eno River’s ecosystem. There is a price for admission, but it is well worth it. Air-conditioned buses take one from the large parking areas located near the Eno River to the actual festival site.
There are three stage areas where all manner of music comes through to entertain the festivalgoers. Food and drink was from all over the world, with choices of Japanese sushi to Jamaican Jerk Chicken. One of the more interesting tidbits about this year’s festival was their commitment to using only biodegradable plastic eating utensils. For more information on the next festival, keep checking the Eno River Association website at www.enoriver.org.
New! Raleigh Street Painting Festival
This is mentioned because it is brand new to 2006. This festival is bound to be highly intriguing and this author will be sure to attend. On September 15th, 2006 Raleigh is sponsored by the Visual Art Exchange, DesignBox, and the Moore Square Art District Alliance. Apparently over 300 artists are prepared to chalk the downtown streets of Raleigh from Martin Street to Moore Square. In addition, there will be open-air artists and street performers. Of course, being located in the art district is sure to help this become an annual event.
