Watauga Arts Council Announces Exciting Events to Support Local Artists and Hurricane Relief Efforts

The Watauga Arts Council (WAC) is thrilled to unveil a series of upcoming events designed to support local artists while raising funds for hurricane relief efforts. From the revival of the popular 6x6 Art Show to a festive pumpkin decorating contest, there’s something for everyone this fall!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

First up, WAC is partnering with the Watauga County Farmers Market and the Jones House for our annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Participants can sign up online here and purchase their pumpkins at the next Farmers Market (located in the Leon Levine lot). After decorating their pumpkins at home, they must be dropped off at WAC by 5 PM on October 30th or at the Jones House from 3:30 - 5 PM on October 31st. A 'voting ID' card will be provided at drop-off, and winners will be announced on the Jones House lawn at 6:30 PM on Halloween, with prizes for Best in Show and Voter's Choice for both youth and adults!

First Friday Art Crawls

Beginning November 1st, WAC is collaborating with the Downtown Boone Development Association to bring First Friday Art Crawls back to downtown Boone! From 4 PM to 8 PM, we invite the community to support local artists and businesses as we recover from recent storms. Artists interested in vending can register on our website or click here.

6x6 Art Show Returns

We’re excited to announce the return of the beloved 6x6 Art Show, now featuring an option for 12x12 artworks! A portion of the proceeds will support the Hope After Helene Arts Relief Fund, while artists will still have the chance to earn commissions on their sales. All mediums are welcome, provided the final pieces are hangable and fit the specified sizes. The deadline to drop-off your artwork and submit your application is November 20th. The first date to pick up any unsold artwork would be December 18th, with final pick up being no later than January 6th between 9 am and 4 pm. Any pieces left after the final pickup date will be donated to the Watauga Arts Council. Click here to register and find out more information!

Best Second Sale

WAC is also excited to offer a second chance for local artists typically involved in Pat Birdsong's annual Best Second Sale. This event will be hosted on November 23rd at the Watauga Arts Council building, and focuses on selling artwork that might not be suited for traditional galleries or stores. Like the 6x6 Art Show, this sale will also serve as a fundraiser for the arts community impacted by Hurricane Helene. To register and find out more, click here!

Upcoming Classes

Finally, in addition to all of these fun events, WAC has some exciting classes lined up for November! Lindsay Carroll will host a “Pet Portraits in Oil” class on the first three Thursdays of November (skipping Thanksgiving week) and the first Thursday in December from 6 PM to 8 PM. Additionally, Cindy Michaud will offer not one, but two mosaic classes! – “Mosaic Tree Trio” from November 11-13th and “Mosaic Madness” from November 15-17th. Visit our ‘Classes and Community’ page on our website for more details, or click here.

Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and details on all of these exciting events!

About Watauga Arts Council

The Watauga Arts Council (WAC) fosters a thriving, diverse, vibrant, creative community through arts advocacy, education, support, and inspiration. Serving professional and emerging artists, WAC facilitates and provides a structure for arts initiatives that enrich the lives of artists, residents, and visitors alike.Offering art classes for all ages, grant funding to artists and arts organizations, gallery exhibits, community groups, and special projects and events, their work enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike. Learn more and get involved through their social media and on their website: https://www.watauga-arts.org/

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