City: Spirit Square, NC

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (704) 333-9755

Address: 345 North College St.

Description: Formed in 1972 as a nonprofit arts organization, the Light Factory Photographic Arts Center has evolved into the foremost photographic resource facility in the Southeast. Its unique gallery has exhibited fine-art and documentary photography by many outstanding artists, and its Web site has received national acclaim. The center sponsors exhibitions, classes, lectures, workshops, art auctions, member shows, independent-film screenings, and community outreach programs. An annual shoot-out event brings the area’s best photographers and hair and makeup artists together for public portraits from formal to wacky. It’s your chance to be a supermodel, but be warned—appointments often sell out. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon to Sat, and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sun.