Uplifting the Arts in the NC High Country

ART NEWS
WAC Explores Jazz Through Art in New Exhibition Opening May 5
WAC Explores Jazz Through Art in New Exhibition Opening May 5

A special new exhibit is coming to WAC… Learn more!

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May’s First Friday is Here!
May’s First Friday is Here!

Find out what all is happening in Downtown Boone on May 1st!

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Apr. 2026 | Arts Opportunities Newsletter
Apr. 2026 | Arts Opportunities Newsletter

Check out our most recent newsletter on important updates and arts opportunities in the region for April!

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Deadline Extended: The Art of Jazz Exhibition
Deadline Extended: The Art of Jazz Exhibition

The Art of Jazz has extended its Call for Art to March 31st! Apply today!

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ART NEWS

Our Mission

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 in the North Carolina High Country.

Learn more
Learn more

See how WAC strengthens the arts in the High Country ↓

Advocate

Making the case for arts and culture in our region
Art in the Outdoors
Art in the Outdoors
Explore the Arts
Explore the Arts
Arts impact
Arts impact

Educate

Providing arts education  for all
Take an art class!
Take an art class!
Teach with Us!
Teach with Us!

Support

creating opportunities for creative work
Grants
Grants
Exhibit with us
Exhibit with us
First Friday Art Crawls
First Friday Art Crawls

Inspire

inspiring through art, Experience, & connection
Youth Makers Markets
Youth Makers Markets
Art Gallery
Art Gallery
Get involved
Get involved

Out and About

View fullsize If you’ve been wanting to get back into art but didn’t know where to start... this is it! Julia Friedrich's Fundamentals Workshops are built both for beginners and intermediate level artists looking to get refreshers and reconnect with t
View fullsize If jazz had a visual language, what would it look like? Our upcoming exhibit aims to answer that question. The Art of Jazz is coming to WAC’s main gallery from May 5 - June 30, featuring work from seven incredible artists exploring rhythm, mov
View fullsize May's First Friday is here! Visit downtown Boone on Friday, May 6th for an evening of art, music, and community connection. Want early notification of these events straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter today! Visit our website to subscr
View fullsize Art For All Abilities has been busy! AFAA is a free art class offered on Mondays at WAC to clients over at Watauga Opportunities, aimed at providing accessible arts education and hands-on art-making experience to adults with exceptional abilities.
View fullsize Another big thank you to one of our exceptional volunteers: Greg Futrelle! Greg has become increasingly involved with WAC over the past year, and we are as grateful as can be to have him in our circle. Virtually a Watauga County native, having spe
View fullsize On display soon at WAC's gallery: The Art of Jazz 🎷 Join us for a special reception on June 11th from 5-7pm at App Theatre, showcasing the incredible talent from exhibiting artists!
View fullsize See any familiar faces? Flourish: A Spring Art Market @ FARM Cafe | Saturday, May 2nd | 12-8pm We're looking forward to a fun market full of handmade art! Will we see you there? Artist Lineup! 👇 @capturesbydezi Brandy Eldreth (Creative Compulsio
View fullsize Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week! We want to give a special shoutout to one of our most dedicated and consistently engaged volunteers, Cindy Michaud. Cindy is a true force behind our public art efforts. She serves on our committee, has created mult
View fullsize Flourish: A Spring Art Market is coming to FARM Cafe in Downtown Boone on May 2nd (two weeks from today!) Stop by FARM from 12–8pm as artists fill the space with handmade goods and local creativity. Some will be there all day, while others wil
View fullsize Rooted, a Student Art Show Reception 🌿 Please join us at the Watauga Arts Council on April 17th from 6–8pm for the opening reception of Rooted, a showcase of work by talented Appalachian State students. This exhibition highlights a range of m
View fullsize April's THIRD Friday is here! Visit downtown Boone on Friday, April 17th for an evening of art, music, and Earth Day celebrations! Want early notification of these events straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter today! Visit our website to
View fullsize We’re proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Amber Bateman, for receiving the Michelle Ligon Community Service Award at the recent 2026 Watauga Tourism Summit! Hosted by Explore Boone, the annual summit brings together local leaders and pa