Whether you’re captivated by the brushstrokes of a painter or the handiwork of a potter, art lovers will find plenty of cultural attractions in North Carolina. From coast to coast, the state offers an impressive selection of art museums and galleries that feature everything from pottery and paintings to photography and film. Many also offer art classes and workshops so you can learn a few techniques to take home with you too!
Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte
With two locations in Charlotte, The Mint Museum is the oldest art museum in North Carolina and is recognized for having one of the largest collections in the Southeast region. The Museum’s Uptown location is a funky, five-story building with enough eye-catching details to be a work of art on its own. Inside its walls, you’ll find an extensive collection of American, contemporary, and European art, as well as the internationally-renowned Craft + Design Collection, an eclectic mix of pieces including glass, metal, wood, clay, fiber art, jewelry, and furniture design. The museum also features a large auditorium, a restaurant, gift shop, and art studios. But make sure to save enough time to see the Randolph facility too, which is located in the original branch of the United States Mint. This location, which opened in 1936, was the state’s first art museum and is now home to a wide variety of pieces including ceramics and decorative arts, as well as European and African art. You’ll also find an impressive resource library with over 18,000 volumes, a museum shop, and a theater for lectures and performing arts.
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
The North Carolina Museum of Art, located in Raleigh, came about after the state legislature appropriated 1 million dollars for the purchase of a collection of art for the residents of NC in 1946. That initial purchase consisted of 139 paintings and sculptures from America and Europe. Now, decades later, the museum is home to pieces from Egypt, Africa and ancient Greece and Rome, among many others. Rotating exhibitions include unique subject matter like “50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair” and “Night (Light)” – a collection of photographs that capture the mystery and loneliness of nighttime. Outside the museum, a 164-acre park features over 25 more art installations by international artists, as well as colorful gardens, a pond and miles of trails for hiking and biking.
Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston Salem
For a unique look at Southern art specifically, you’ll want to check out the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston Salem. Focusing on the 11 southeastern states, the Center works to connect local communities with the international world of contemporary art. Here, you’ll find everything from paintings and prints, to fiber art and photography. Plus, they offer an extensive list of classes for students from pre-K all the way up to adult.
North Carolina Pottery Center, Seagrove
Pottery lovers won’t want to miss the North Carolina Pottery Center located in Seagrove, NC. Opened in 1998, it is the only facility in the state that is dedicated entirely to pottery. It’s made up of three separate buildings nestled together on a wooded lot. The 6,000 square foot main center building houses the permanent and temporary exhibitions, a gift shop and the Center’s offices in an open and light space made from natural woods and plenty of windows. While the education building is home to several pottery wheels, electric kilns and other equipment. The last of the 3 buildings, the Voncannon House, serves as living space for the artists-in-residence, interns, presenters and other guests. The Center also offers several courses and workshops for want-to-be potters, including the TAPS Program – an afterschool pottery program for fifth graders from the local elementary school.
Woolworth Walk, Asheville
Perhaps the most unique art gallery experience you can have in Asheville, NC is a visit to Woolworth Walk, a privately and locally owned gallery located in the historic F. W. Woolworth building in the heart of downtown. Not only can you check out art from 170 local artists including jewelry, paintings, pottery, photography, glass and much more, but you can also have an ice cream soda or an egg cream at the fully operational Old Fashioned Soda Fountain after you finished browsing around.
