City: Raleigh, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (919) 821-2787

Address: 201 E. Davie St.

Description: Artspace is a collection of open artists’ studios, exhibition areas, and a gift shop housed in a 30,000-square-foot downtown building that was once a Ford dealership. A hub of arts activity in Raleigh, Artspace is home to 35 working artists, all of whom are juried members of the Artspace Artist Association. Mediums include clay, digital media, fiber art, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Artspace offers lessons and marketing support services for artists, entertainment, and a range of outreach workshops and projects for adults and children. Exhibitions of members’ work and shows of traveling work rotate through the galleries. The space is especially vibrant during Raleigh’s First Friday gallery art walk, when new exhibitions most often open. During a stroll through the studios, you can see traditional portraiture, marble sculpture, and animation-inspired painting while downstairs in the galleries a show of nationally renowned lowbrow painters might be unveiled. Artspace also sponsors performances of spoken word and poetry, music, and film, and the occasional high school party. Admission to exhibits is free with donations suggested. Most programs charge a fee.