Durham Arts Council Postpones CenterFest Arts Festival to September 2022; Expands Durham Art Walk Holiday Market in November to Drive Sales for Local Artists

Photo from recent CenterFest Arts Festival

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and continued need to follow CDC and Governor Cooper’s guidance for not gathering in large crowds, Durham Arts Council has decided, out of an abundance of caution, to postpone its signature outdoor arts festival, CenterFest, until September 17-18, 2022.

CenterFest is the longest-running outdoor street arts festival in North Carolina, and is ranked in the top 200 fine arts festivals in the country. Typically CenterFest attracts 30,000+ visitors to downtown Durham for a weekend filled with visual arts, music, dance, family activities and great food. “CenterFest is Durham’s community celebration where everyone can come together on the downtown streets to enjoy the arts and mingling with friends old and new. The huge crowds are wonderful and we look forward to relaunching the festival next year when we can all safely gather again,” said Durham Arts Council Executive Director, Sherry DeVries.

In an effort to support local artists and help boost their artwork sales later in the fall, Durham Arts Council will expand this year’s annual Durham Art Walk Holiday Market scheduled for November 20-21, 2021.

Durham Art Walk Holiday Market features the art work of over 200 local artists displaying and selling their work in 15+ venues throughout downtown Durham. The design of the Art Walk Holiday Market event allows for each
venue to control visitor capacity during the weekend, and more easily enforce mask-wearing and social distancing. And by November there is hope that pandemic conditions will have improved considerably. The third weekend in November is an optimal time for visual artists to showcase and sell their work leading up to the holiday season and gift-giving. The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market 2021 will also include music, local food trucks and downtown tours and restaurant promotions.

Nicole Thompson, CEO of Downtown Durham, Inc. states “We look forward to partnering with Durham Arts Council on the Art Walk Holiday Market to help bring visitors to our downtown businesses and restaurants while also driving customers to many of our local Durham artists.”

Don’t Miss Out on These Amazing Classes!

*Click the photo above to “Meet” our DAC Instructors!

Upcoming Class

Plein-Air Painting (Ages 16 +) – Saturdays starting April 10

Site Specific Dance Making (Ages 16 +) – Saturdays staring April 17

Art Exploration (Ages 5-12) – April 21

You can still join in on the fun

Contemporary Dance –  (Ages 16 + up) Tuesdays

Cardio Hip Hop – Thursdays 

Creative Movement for Little Ones – Saturdays 

Back to the Theatre – Fundraiser for the Carolina Theatre

The Carolina Theatre of Durham welcomes everyone “Back To The Theatre!” Though, not quite yet… Since January 1, 2021, the historic venue has been temporarily closed due to the ongoing pandemic. The Board of Trustees of Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. and president & CEO, Randy McKay are working on plans for a safe reopening. In the meantime, the theatre is hosting an online fundraiser on Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. Funds raised will be used to support theatre operations as we move toward a safe and swift reopening. We encourage the community’s support, including sponsorship opportunities, of what promises to be a unique evening of entertainment.

Learn More Here.

Did You Know…

The Outer Loop is having a Spring Outdoor Art Market this Saturday? 
  

 
Outer Loop Arts a community driven space dedicated to enriching the arts in Durham by providing a safe, inclusive space for artists to collaborate and explore their art.

Outer Loop Arts is hosting a Spring Outdoor Art Market outside the studio. Their 6 resident artists will showcase their work. Plus, The Durham Filling station will be there slinging food!

Learn more and RSVP HERE.

COVID-19 Resources

Stay up-to-date with the latest opening information and resources related to COVID-19. 

The Arts are involved COVID-19 research.  Read more HERE.