ALBEMARLE — This weekend, the Stanly County Arts Council is set to host a free event at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center where the general public can learn more about the local arts community.
The seventh-annual Celebration of the Arts on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m will feature live performances, information tables, art displays and demonstrations, author meet-and-greets, and an exhibition of student art from schools throughout the county.
“This is such an exciting event for everyone who attends and enjoys the talent and artistic work of our local artist community,” Kelly Dombrowski, chairman of the Stanly County Arts Council, wrote in a statement. “As a principal, I especially enjoy seeing a flurry of excitement as students and their families look for their chosen artwork displayed throughout the Civic Center and the pride in our students and their families as they celebrate their art or their performances throughout the day.”
Highlighting the musical, dance and theater portion of the event, performers include the Stanly County Concert Band, the Gem Tones Big Band, vocalists and musicians from West Stanly High School, the Stanly County Chorale, Melissa Kathleen’s School of Dance, A Bunch of Misfits, soloists from Music on Main, and the West Stanly Players.
“This long-standing tradition truly is one of our favorite events because of the number of families it has the potential to reach,” Dombrowski continued. “I hope you will join us for one of our favorite events of the year and celebrate the rich artistic talent this county has to offer.”
The upcoming event will also showcase local authors from Stanly County, including Denny Hamann, Brian Hill, Janice Cole Hopkins, Ann Lacey, Dianne Miley, Ruth Morris Moose, Susan Pless, Pam Rutherford, Rickey Smith and Jake Thomas.
Over in the venue’s lobby, attendees can view exhibition booths from Mary Ann Gantt of Thistle Pottery, Vicki Galloway, graphic artist Michael Mez Phillips, along with numerous artists from the Stanly Arts Guild.
English paper piecing, woodcarving, Native American flutes, dreamcatchers, blacksmithing, and thrown pottery are among the hobbies and trades that will be demonstrated on hand.
Event attendees will be able to interact with a creation station where they have the opportunity to create their own art to take home — options include marbleized paper, watercolor techniques, and rain stick creation.
An awards ceremony will be held at 1:45 p.m. to recognize local individuals who have excelled in the arts field and have made an impact on the community. The 2025 Artist Support Grant recipient, Eli Williams, will be recognized by the arts council prior to the reveal of the 2025 Arts Person of the Year and Fine Arts Teacher of the Year winners.
Founded in 1974, the Stanly County Arts Council supports all art forms in the community with its mission of promoting cultural and educational activities in the arts; the council is supported by private donations, the North Carolina Arts Council, along with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.