About Centerfest
Since 1974, Durham Arts Council has brought the Durham community together with an annual arts festival in the fall. As Durham’s signature fine arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from across the country and fills multiple stages with stand-out local performers. Art shoppers are dazzled by world-class ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass, and more. Creators are based in Durham, the Triangle and across the country. CenterFest also features musicians, dancers and unique street performers to provide continuous entertainment. Kids will have a blast at the Creative Kids Zone, food vendors keep guests fueled for fun, and Durham’s nonprofit and government services sector inspire and inform festival goers. Taking place in the heart of Durham’s historic downtown, a concentration of local businesses and eateries elevate the visitor experience!
Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation at the gate. Donations support the festival and the arts in Durham.
Centerfest 2024 will be September 21st and 22nd in Downtown Durham!
About Centerfest
Since 1974, Durham Arts Council has brought the Durham community together with an annual arts festival in the fall. As Durham’s signature fine arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from across the country and fills multiple stages with stand-out local performers. Art shoppers are dazzled by world-class ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass, and more. Creators are based in Durham, the Triangle and across the country. CenterFest also features musicians, dancers and unique street performers to provide continuous entertainment. Kids will have a blast at the Creative Kids Zone, food vendors keep guests fueled for fun, and Durham’s nonprofit and government services sector inspire and inform festival goers. Taking place in the heart of Durham’s historic downtown, a concentration of local businesses and eateries elevate the visitor experience!
Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation at the gate. Donations support the festival and the arts in Durham.
Centerfest 2024 will be September 21st and 22nd in Downtown Durham!
Centerfest 2024 Artists
Centerfest 2024 Merit Winners
Best In Show
Joan Rasmussen
Mixed Media
First Place
Luis Gutierrez
Sculpture
Second Place
Casey & Sara Anderson
Clay
Third Place
Brian & Tracy Frerichs
Wood
Best Durham Artist
Wendy Allen
Fiber
Coca-Cola Citizen’s Choice
Jennifer James
Jewelry
Centerfest 2024 Artists
Centerfest 2024 Performers
Centerfest 2024 Non-Profit, Gov’t & Political Booths
Non-Profit Groups
Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle
Booth: E14
Durham Community Chorale
Booth: E14
El Centro
Booth: E07
Friends of the Durham Library
Booth: E11
League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham, and Chatam Counties
Booth: E13
Scrap Exchange
Booth: E06
The Scrap Exchange has been promoting creativity, environmental awareness & community through reuse since 1991.
Vault Theatre
Booth: A34
Non-Profit Groups
Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle
Booth: E14
Durham Community Chorale
Booth: E14
El Centro
Booth: E07
Friends of the Durham Library
Booth: E11
League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham, and Chatam Counties
Booth: E13
Scrap Exchange
Booth: E06
Vault Theatre
Booth: A34
Gov’t Groups
City of Durham Water Mangement
Booth: E08
City of Durham Cultural & Public Art (CPAP)
Booth: E10
City of Durham Public Works
Booth: E09
Gov’t Groups
City of Durham Water Mangement
Booth: E08
Durham’s Water Efficiency and FOG programs promote sustainable water use through education, resources, and community engagement.
City of Durham Public Works
Booth: E09
City of Durham Cultural & Public Art (CPAP)
Booth: E10
Political Groups
Durham County Democratic Party
Booth: E12
Voter education and registration; informing about what Democrats in Durham are doing.
Political Groups
Voter education and registration; informing about what Democrats in Durham are doing.
Centerfest 2024 Sponsors
The “Big Bull” Presenting Sponsor
SciMed, located in downtown Durham, has been building software for the scientific community since 2003. They understand the unique challenges scientists face in data management, analysis, and integration. SciMed can streamline your workflow and empower your research by helping you build a new software tool, supporting your existing software, integrating with your other systems, or consulting on technical questions. Learn more at scimed.io
“Wonder-Bull” Sponsor
Duke Arts invites you to experience, create, and explore the arts with us. We champion expansive, inclusive, and impactful arts programs that build meaningful connections between campus, community, and global audiences. Our presenting initiative, Duke Arts Presents, showcases world-class creators and performers at Duke, in Durham, and beyond. Visit arts.duke.edu to learn more.
At Rivers Agency we believe business-changing ideas are born when creativity, empathy and culture converge. That’s why supporting CenterFest Arts Festival is always a natural fit for us. We have championed the arts and artists for 30 years, and our diverse client roster will always include institutions like the Durham Arts Council that drive positive cultural transformation. Find out more at Riversagency.com
Celebrate fall fashion with Walmart, in style! Swing by the Walmart Style Tour, a women’s fashion experience designed just for you, to discover Walmart’s new fall collection. A team of stylists will guide you through our newest apparel, give you tips & tricks, and recommend pieces that will fit perfectly into your fall wardrobe. Find out whether you’re a spring, winter, summer or autumn with a personalized color analysis & complete your look with a free lipstick engraved with your name! You can always find the things you love, at Walmart.
“Love-A-Bull” Sponsor
Since its debut in August 1995, WNCU, 90.7 FM, licensed to North Carolina Central University, has consistently fulfilled its mission to provide quality, cultural programming to public radio listeners in the Triangle area and abroad. The format of this listener–supported public radio station entertains the jazz aficionado, educates the novice jazz listener, and disseminates news and information relative to the community-at-large. WNCU presents jazz, gospel, blues, soul and so much more. Listen, engage and support online at wncu.org and download our mobile app to take us wherever you are!
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.
“Admira-Bull” Sponsor
“Enjoy-A-Bull” Sponsor
“Promote-A-Bull” Sponsor
Centerfest Partners
Ninth Street Bakery
Kay & Wade Gresham
Spectacular Magazine
Centerfest 2024 Sponsors
The “Big Bull” Presenting Sponsor
SciMed, located in downtown Durham, has been building software for the scientific community since 2003. They understand the unique challenges scientists face in data management, analysis, and integration. SciMed can streamline your workflow and empower your research by helping you build a new software tool, supporting your existing software, integrating with your other systems, or consulting on technical questions. Learn more at scimed.io
“Wonder-Bull” Sponsor
Duke Arts invites you to experience, create, and explore the arts with us. We champion expansive, inclusive, and impactful arts programs that build meaningful connections between campus, community, and global audiences. Our presenting initiative, Duke Arts Presents, showcases world-class creators and performers at Duke, in Durham, and beyond. Visit arts.duke.edu to learn more.
At Rivers Agency we believe business-changing ideas are born when creativity, empathy and culture converge. That’s why supporting CenterFest Arts Festival is always a natural fit for us. We have championed the arts and artists for 30 years, and our diverse client roster will always include institutions like the Durham Arts Council that drive positive cultural transformation. Find out more at Riversagency.com
Celebrate fall fashion with Walmart, in style! Swing by the Walmart Style Tour, a women’s fashion experience designed just for you, to discover Walmart’s new fall collection. A team of stylists will guide you through our newest apparel, give you tips & tricks, and recommend pieces that will fit perfectly into your fall wardrobe. Find out whether you’re a spring, winter, summer or autumn with a personalized color analysis & complete your look with a free lipstick engraved with your name! You can always find the things you love, at Walmart.
“Love-A-Bull” Sponsor
DCCBC has been refreshing and hydrating participating artists and patrons since the first CenterFest. M. Hager Rand, President & CEO, along with the Rand Family have been long-term supporters of the Durham Arts Council and proud sponsors of the Citizen’s Choice Award since 2009. Our ever-changing portfolio includes our beloved core brands, Coca-Cola, Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite, expanding to include Dasani, Smartwater, Body Armor, Fairlife Milk, Gold Peak Tea and Monster just to name a few of our products that consumers enjoy on a daily basis. Come by for a FREE Balloon and to try some of our newest products at the Coke tent on Saturday. Cheers!
Food Lion is excited to invite you and your family to come check out our recently renovated grocery stores! Your local Food Lion has a brand-new look while still bringing the easy, fresh and affordable experience you know and love. Look for our new selections of easy Meal Solutions in our deli department, Food Lion To Go options, and much more. We can’t wait to see you soon and show you all the new ways you can count on us!
Spark Productions is the premier corporate and private event production company in the Triangle. Spark Productions offers a wide array of services ranging from lighting and audio-visual production to keynote presentation stage setups and photo booths to make your next event perfect. They pride themselves on always putting on events that are a blend of fun, professional and classy.
Since its debut in August 1995, WNCU, 90.7 FM, licensed to North Carolina Central University, has consistently fulfilled its mission to provide quality, cultural programming to public radio listeners in the Triangle area and abroad. The format of this listener–supported public radio station entertains the jazz aficionado, educates the novice jazz listener, and disseminates news and information relative to the community-at-large. WNCU presents jazz, gospel, blues, soul and so much more. Listen, engage and support online at wncu.org and download our mobile app to take us wherever you are!
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.
WUNC provides high-quality news, cultural and entertainment content to create a more informed and engaged community. Find North Carolina Public Radio on terrestrial radio at 91.5 FM in the Chapel Hill/Raleigh/Durham area; at 88.9 FM from Manteo, serving the North East outer banks and coastal communities; at 91.9 from Fayetteville; at 91.1 just south of Winston-Salem in the Welcome, NC, area; and, at 90.9 FM from Rocky Mount.
“Admira-Bull” Sponsor
“Enjoy-A-Bull” Sponsor
“Promote-A-Bull” Sponsor
Centerfest Partners
Ninth Street Bakery
Kay & Wade Gresham
Spectacular Magazine
Centerfest 2024 Timeline
-
January 31, 2024
Visual Artist Application Opens on Zapp
-
February 14th, 2024
Performer Application Opens on Submittable
-
March 18th, 2024
Non-Profit, Gov’t Services, Political Booth & Food Vendor Applications Open on Submittable
-
May 1st, 2024
Visual Artist Application Closes
-
June 2024
Visual Artists Notified of Status
-
June 10th, 2024
Performer Application Closes
-
July 10th, 2024
All other applications close
-
July 20th, 2024
Performers Notified
-
August, 2024
All Applicants Notified of Status
-
September 21 & 22, 2024
Festival Takes Place
Centerfest 2024 Timeline
-
January 31, 2024
Visual Artist Application Opens
-
February 14th, 2024
Performer Application Opens on Submittable
-
March 18th, 2024
Non-Profit, Gov’t Services, Political Booth & Food Vendor Applications Open on Submittable
-
May 1st, 2024
Visual Artist Application Closes
-
June 2024
Visual Artists Notified of Status
-
June 10th, 2024
Performer Application Closes
-
July 10th, 2024
All other applications close
-
July 20th, 2024
Performers Notified
-
August, 2024
All Applicants Notified of Status
-
September 21 & 22, 2024
Festival Takes Place
