Art on Main fine art & craft festival celebrates its 62nd year!

Sept. 23 & 24, 2023 | 10am-5pm 
Historic Downtown ​Hendersonville NC
The Arts Council of Henderson County, and the Art on Main Committee is excited to announce we have been named one of the 200 Best Shows in America for Fine Art & Design from Sunshine Artist Magazine! Many thanks to Sunshine Magazine and all of the artists, sponsors, and festival attendees for making Art on Main an award winning show!
Art on Main is sponsored in part by the 
​Hendersonville County Tourism Development Authority
Hendersonville, NC
800-828-4244
www.visithendersonvillenc.org
Picture
"Dahlias #4" by Kendra Runnels 2019

Become a $100 Patron of the Arts in support of Art on Main!
​Find out more information about becoming a sponsor for Art on Main

Download the Sponsorship Form Here, and use the Donation button below to pay through Paypal.
Picture
The Pond, pastel by Brian Kuehn, Art on Main 2014 marketing image

Welcome to Art on Main

Autumn in the Western North Carolina mountains finds thousands of visitors traveling to the region to enjoy its amazing fall foliage. We celebrate fine art and fine craft on the last weekend of September each year by gathering distinctive local artists, as well as highly qualified artists from the southeast region of the U.S. to meet the public and sell their work on Historic Main St. ​More than 100 juried artists sell fine art paintings, in
​addition to works in clay, metal, wood, fiber, photography, jewelry, etc. 
Picture
Sunflower Field, painting by Marie Scott, Art on Main 2013 marketing image

History of Art on Main

The Art League of Henderson County created a Sidewalk Art Show in 1959 to provide local artists the opportunity to show their work in a relaxed atmosphere while meeting the public to sell their paintings. The original show was two-dimensional work only. Artists casually displayed their art on park benches and planters on Main Street in Hendersonville, while the public strolled the sidewalks. The Arts Council took ownership of the show in 2003, and artists working in various media, and from outside of our area, were invited to participate. The show still enjoys the involvement of several artists who have been participating for years, and we always welcome new artists who bring exciting new artwork for sale to our area art lovers.

​Artists apply and are juried for quality in their body of work and professionalism in their presentation. The festival draws around 90 talented exhibitors who share their art with thousands of visiting art lovers. The inclusion of several Southern Highland Craft Guild members augment the show with their excellent and unique approaches to their art. Guild member participants have included Susan Barrett (clay), Paula Marksbury (fused glass), and Jim McGie (wood), and many others. "The Art on Main Committee is very pleased to have these artists participating in the show" says Kim Adams, Event Coordinator. "The fact they are Guild members means their work has already been deemed exceptional in craftsmanship and design." ​.
Picture
Morning Blush, fingerpainting by Amy Perrier, 2016 AOM marketing image
Picture
Raku pottery process demonstrated by M Rathsack
Live art demonstrations are interspersed throughout the show for the public to see how different artists “go to work” in their media. Demonstrations can include blacksmithing, basket making, stone cutting lapidary, copper and brass art, wire wrapping, raku pottery firing, painting, weaving, fiber and a caricature artist!  A changing and wide range of artists display their creative processes and techniques each year. 
Picture
Acrylic painting techniques demonstrated by Olivia Schoeff

Please leave your pets comfortably at home.
Hendersonville City ordinance prohibits animals in the event area.
Any questions or concerns regarding the Arts Council's pet policy should be directed to Josh Dunkin, Board President, at the Arts Council office 828.693.8504.
MANY THANKS TO OUR 2019 SPONSORS!
Major support for Art on Main is provided by Morris Broadband
Art on Main is sponsored in part by the 
​Hendersonville County Tourism Development Authority
Hendersonville, NC
800-828-4244
www.visithendersonvillenc.org
WE THANK ALL OF OUR GENEROUS 2021 SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS!
The City of Hendersonville
North Carolina Arts Council
Community Foundation of Henderson County
LS Creative
Bryan Byrd Realtor
Marked Tree Vineyard
Paper Clutz Co
Friends of the Arts Council of Henderson County
John Woodward
​