History & Purpose
The Carolina Artists guild was formed in 1990 by working artists for the express purpose of providing opportunities for local artists to be recognized within Rowan and nearby counties.
Our non-profit organization is dedicated to providing opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their works through participation in community events, and to promoting both teaching and learning through:
- Educational Arts Programs
- Demonstrations
- Workshops
- Shows
- Contests
Formed in 1990 as “Working Artists,” the name was changed to “The Carolina Artists” in 1991, a non-profit group whose mission is “to create and maintain an association of successful artists by assuring the guild offers mutual aid and promotion of artists in our region and to encourage and promote cultural interest and appreciate for fine art.”
Founding members came from Rowan Art Guild, once an organization which supported a small group of local artists, and whose growth soon led them to seek a permanent home. Under a lease with the City of Salisbury, Rowan Art Guild acquired a building formerly used as a police station, jail and city waterworks headquarters. What began as Rowan Art Guild Gallery became Waterworks Gallery and then Waterworks Visual Arts Center.
Although the intention was not to set aside local artists, soon working artists, both beginners and professionals, no longer had a “home” for studios or shows as new leadership at Waterworks Visual Arts Center focused more on traveling exhibitions and educational services and developed into a regional gallery of some note.
Working artists work and show, work and sell. Art is their livelihood. As Rowan Art Guild members “peeled off,” they went back into their homes to regroup and emerged as “The Carolina Artists” in 1991.
The Carolina Artists is now composed of people of all ages, whose work is displayed and sold around the county in coffee shops, restaurants, doctors’ offices, medical centers, banks, colleges, galleries, and other public buildings. Members participate in shows and festivals throughout the area, enter competitions and encourage other artists by sponsoring exhibits and workshops.
Many artists introduced themselves to the community in 1990 with The Carolina Artists’ first show at First Union Bank with about 92 entries, followed by shows in 1991 at the Salisbury Mall, Lutheran Home, the Depot during October Tour, and at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. In 1992 and 1993, members participated in art displays and demonstrations in downtown Salisbury, at Pfeiffer College, at Stanly Community College, at Granite Quarry Municipal Building, at a gallery in Kannapolis, in competitions in Mooresville and Albemarle. In 1994 members participated in a show at Stanly County Agri-Center in Albemarle. There were “paint-ins” at Hurley Park where visitors watched the artists at their creative endeavors.
Fast forward to 2003, The Carolina Artists sponsored a juried exhibit at ARTopia Gallery and have held art Expos annually since. Monetary and ribbon awards are presented for works in 9 categories including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, drawing, mixed media, photography & digital designs, fluid art, and sculpture & 3D. The annual Expo Art Show and Sale is currently held in September at the Salisbury Civic Center. The entries are not juried, but participating is available to members only. The general public is welcome, of course, at no charge, to view and encourage our local artists.
