Connecting the community through art, education, and creative expression.

Happenings

Don't Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles Exhibit

August 3 - 31
Invites artists and viewers alike to think outside the box—literally! This exhibit celebrates creativity on canvas with a twist: not a single right angle in sight. From curves and circles to wild, unexpected edges, each piece challenges the traditional square or rectangular frame. Discover how artists bend, shape, and reshape the boundaries of canvas art in this joyful exploration of form and imagination.

See Exhibit Calendar
Kid's Art Club

Meets every first and third Thursday
Kid’s Art Club builds creativity and confidence through a variety of hands-on art experiences. Each session features a new project, exploring different materials and techniques through guided activities and collaborative challenges; adapted so every child can participate.

Get Your Ticket Here
Haywood County Studio Tour

This free, self-guided tour invites visitors to explore artists’ studios, watch demonstrations, and purchase original artwork while connecting directly with the artists who create it.

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Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival

October 24, 10 am - 6 pm
Voted #1 Event in Haywood County (2024 & 2025), our Annual Bluegrass Festival Fundraiser returns in 2026 to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds for a full day of music, art, food, and community.

Get Your SMBF Tickets Here

Building Community Through the Arts Since 1977

Since 1977, the Haywood County Arts Council has brought people together through the power of the arts. What began as a passionate group of volunteers has grown into a vibrant organization dedicated to promoting artists, advancing art education, and fostering innovation in creative expression.

We envision a community deeply engaged in the arts, where creativity is not only celebrated but shared. We believe art is a powerful vehicle for sparking conversation, building understanding, and inspiring social change. Each culture’s artistic voice enriches our community, creating opportunities to connect through personal stories and shared experiences.

Guided by a diverse Board of Directors, including business leaders, educators, artists, and community advocates, we continue to grow, evolve, and champion the arts for all.

Events

From the toe-tapping sounds of the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival in Maggie Valley to the behind-the-scenes creativity of the Haywood County Studio Tour, our events celebrate the arts in all their forms. Enjoy live music, explore working artist studios, and connect with creativity throughout the year. In partnership with HART Theatre, we also bring the community together for Cool Jazz during Ice Fest Weekend, featuring award-winning performances and opportunities to learn and engage. Whether you’re a music lover, art collector, or simply curious, our events invite you to experience the vibrant arts scene of Haywood County.

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Sabine looking at art on the wall at the gallery

Programs

Our programs bring art into the heart of Haywood County, offering opportunities for all ages and skill levels to create, learn, and connect. From community-driven public art through Art Across Haywood to hands-on Creation Classes led by local artists, there’s always a way to get involved. Artists can grow and collaborate in our welcoming Critique Circle, while makers of all kinds find inspiration in groups like Junk Journaling Club.

At the center of it all is our gallery in downtown Waynesville, where local artists showcase their work through rotating exhibits and a vibrant retail space. We’re also proud to inspire the next generation through Kids Art Club and celebrate regional heritage with our Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, bringing art to barns, homes, and businesses across the region.

Whether you’re creating, learning, or exploring, our programs invite you to be part of a thriving creative community.

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Danna painting a barn quilt block in the studio

Support the Arts, Join the Community

Your support keeps the arts thriving in Haywood County! Donations to HCAC help fund art supplies for our programs, scholarships for high school students, stipends for Kids Art Club instructors, and many other initiatives that nurture creativity across our community.

We’re also always looking for volunteers to lend their time and talents. Join our Quilt Block Studio at the Folkmoot Friendship Center to help outline and paint quilt blocks or merchandise sold in our gallery, no experience required! Or become a Gallery Volunteer, welcoming visitors, promoting local artists, and keeping our gallery doors open.

Whether through giving or volunteering, you can be part of a growing, creative community that celebrates art in all its forms.

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Featured Artist Sponsorships