EXHIBITIONS
EXHIBITIONS
CURRENT EXHIBITION
Toys and Joys
an open exhibition of fine art and craft
November 14 - December 20, 2025
The Arts Council is pleased to announce its annual holiday exhibition and sale, Toys and Joys, an open exhibition of fine art and crafts.
In this exhibit, participating artists were asked to interpret the theme broadly to include both actual toys and images of toys, but also the joys associated with living in Western North Carolina - waterfalls, mountains, music, and more.
The exhibit opens in the Arts Council Gallery on Friday, November 14th, and runs through Saturday, December 20th.
On Friday, November 21st, 5-7pm, the Arts Council will host a “Meet the Artists” reception. The public is invited to attend.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
CALL TO ARTISTS
The Arts Council has issued a call to artists for its upcoming exhibit, Mardi Gras in the Mountains: Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! The exhibit will open on Friday, January 16, 2026, and will run through Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Laissez les bon temps rouler! ("Let the good times roll!") is more than a phrase; it is the spirit of Mardi Gras and Carnival – an ancient world-wide tradition of celebrating before the beginning of Lent. For this exhibition, artists of all ages and experience levels are invited to create and submit works of art in any visual medium (other than film/video) that capture the spirit, colors, and spirit of Mardi Gras and Carnival season – all with a dose of mountain creativity.
Because the theme can be broadly interpreted, this exhibit offers many possibilities for artists to add a mountain aspect to their work as they incorporate the iconic purple, green, and gold colors (with others) to depict the revelry, mystery, community, and fantasy that Mardi Gras evokes.
Delivery of art work: Tuesday, January 13; 11am-4pm
Opening reception: Friday, January 16; 5-7pm
Closing: Saturday, February 21; 4pm
Pick up of art work: Monday, February 23; 11am-4pm
2026 Gallery
Exhibition Calendar
(Please note that dates are subject to change.)
January 16 – February 21: Mardi Gras in the Mountains: Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!
Description: Open Exhibition. Artwork must fit the theme in the exhibit’s title.
February 27 – March 28: Community
Description: Annual multicultural Open Exhibition. Artwork must fit theme.
April 10 – May 2: Invitational Exhibition
Description: Invitational Exhibition
May 7 – 16: Transylvania County Schools Student Art Show
Description: This exhibit features the artwork of students in grades K-12 in the Transylvania County Schools.
May 22 – June 20: Transylvania Art Guild Summer Showcase
Description: An invitational exhibit featuring Transylvania Art Guild artists.
June 26 – July 25: Art, Architecture, & Design
Description: Open Exhibition. Artwork must fit the theme.
August 7 – September 19: Fourth Annual Juried Exhibition
Description: Juried exhibition. Artists must be at least 18 years of age to apply.
October 2 – 31: Invitational
Description: Invitational Exhibition
November 13 - December 19: Small but Mighty
Description: Open Exhibition with holiday theme