First fridays for affordable art? (Raleigh, Clayton: purchase, prices, business)

[DPK]

I just moved into a new place in Raleigh and figure what better way to decorate than getting some beautiful work by local artisans/craftsman. My questions being is the art "affordable" for purchase and what are some of the better galleries (I use gallery loosely here -- some of the better stuff I've seen is usually at street festival kiosks)?

Would a couple hundred dollars get me a couple pieces of artwork or am I going to be shell shocked and not leave with anything?

My art tastes are a range of things. I like the random/weird (such as paintings of robots by Eric Joyner (http://www.ericjoyner.com/tinrobots.aspx - broken link)), works that involve mechanics/movement (such wood-worked clocks by Clayton Boyer), and just generally anything that grabs your eye and screams "what were they on when they did this" art.

Not a big fan of art that looks like anyone could have done it or is bland in appearance.

Any recommendations on particular people/galleries I should look at?

[miamiblue]

The Carter Building on S Glenwood has a bunch of studios with a wide variety of artists. I purchased a very unique piece of art there for a friend that was $75, and I thought it was an amazing value. I don't think that particular artist is still in that building, but you might find others that you like since they change up now and then. From what I've seen the prices are generally reasonable, although it really does vary by artist.

Of course, there is always Art Space, which also offers a wide variety of artists in one building. Some are quite pricey while others have more affordable pieces.

Otherwise, I would say just visit a bunch of different galleries. Most galleries have business hours during the week and on Saturdays, so even if it is not First Friday you can take a look at what they are currently exhibiting.

[Usedtobe VaNC]

A list of all the local galleries, with links, as well as list of First Friday, can be found at Triangle ArtWorks.