Watauga Arts Council

10/12/2026

Free Paint Night and Drop-In Artmaking! 🎨

10/12/2026

What a wonderful evening with our arts community!

Thank you to everyone who came out for WAC's inaugural Artist Talk Series featuring Nysie Hurst as she explored Mountains Waking, Phoenix Rising, and shared more about her journey with MS, art, and resilience. We loved seeing so many community members show up, connect, and share the experience with us!

A special thank you to Betty’s Biscuits for welcoming us into their space and helping make the evening possible.

If you didn't make it to this lovely evening of art, community, and connection, sign up for our newsletter on our website to stay in the loop on upcoming Artist Talks, events, and more!

10/12/2026

New Exhibit Alert!

We’re excited to announce Touchpoints: Exploring Texture in Art, our newest exhibition in the Watauga Arts Council’s Main Gallery, on view October 6 through December 14.

Touchpoints brings together artists working across a variety of mediums to explore the role texture plays in how we see, experience, and connect with art. From fiber art and painting to mixed media and more, the exhibition invites you to take a closer look at the surfaces, layers, materials, and details that give each work its unique character.

Texture can create depth, movement, dimension, and meaning, and this exhibition celebrates the many ways artists use it to bring their work to life.

Join us for an opening reception on Thursday, October 15 from 5:30–7:30 PM at WAC! Meet the exhibiting artists, mingle with fellow art lovers, enjoy light refreshments, and experience Touchpoints for yourself.

We want to say a special thank you to both the Gallery Committee and our jurors for making this exhibit possible!

We hope to see you there!

10/09/2026

Join us next week for some art filled fun ! Unleash your inner artist 🕺

We're proud to offer a wide range of classes for various ages and abilities over the next few months!

You can see our full list of classes on our website or by clicking the link in our bio.

While we have our schedule through the rest of the year, we also add classes monthly, so be sure to check our website regularly for new offerings!
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10/07/2026

Meet Julia! 🎨

Julia , a Swiss-turned-local, is a painter and one of the talented instructors sharing her creativity with us here at the Watauga Arts Council!

Julia brings her experience and passion for painting into the classroom, creating opportunities for students to explore their own creativity while learning new techniques and approaches to the medium.

We’re excited to have Julia joining our instructor community, and even more classes with her are coming soon!

Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to learn, create, and paint with Julia here at WAC.

10/06/2026

Artist Talk Series, Nysie Hurst: Mountains Waking, Phoenix Rising

Join us October 7th from 5:30–7:30 PM at Betty’s Biscuits for an evening with artist Nysie Hurst!

Nysie will share her journey through illness and working through MS, with a special focus on her triptych, Mountains Waking, Phoenix Rising. The evening will also include a short interactive art activity, Q&A, and plenty of time to connect and mingle.

October 7 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Betty’s Biscuits
Free to attend; limited spots available!

RSVP through the link below:
https://partiful.com/e/DhRusCcCybvg6AeydXXM?c=RV66RE-O

Food and beverages available for purchase.

Thank you!

10/06/2026

Spooky Season is upon us!

These beautiful Ghost Lanterns were created in one of our recent Arts for All Abilities classes, which are free weekly classes held at WAC in partnership with Watauga Opportunities to provide a reliable creative outlet to adults with unique abilities.

Thank you to our Art for All Abilities instructor, Sue Wilder, and the crew who makes this program happen: Watauga Opportunities and St. Mary of the Hills!

10/05/2026

New Exhibit Alert!

We’re excited to announce Touchpoints: Exploring Texture in Art, our newest exhibition in the Watauga Arts Council’s Main Gallery, on view October 6 through December 14.

Touchpoints brings together artists working across a variety of mediums to explore the role texture plays in how we see, experience, and connect with art. From fiber art and painting to mixed media and more, the exhibition invites you to take a closer look at the surfaces, layers, materials, and details that give each work its unique character.

Texture can create depth, movement, dimension, and meaning, and this exhibition celebrates the many ways artists use it to bring their work to life.

Join us for an opening reception on Thursday, October 15 from 5:30–7:30 PM at WAC! Meet the exhibiting artists, mingle with fellow art lovers, enjoy light refreshments, and experience Touchpoints for yourself.

We hope to see you there!

10/05/2026

Fall is here in the High Country, and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate! 🍂

From live music and local festivals to theater, art workshops, Halloween events, and more, there’s something happening all month long.

Swipe through for some of the arts and culture events happening across the High Country this October, and make sure to save this post for your fall plans!

What are you looking forward to checking out?

10/04/2026

Love this!

Jessy Mae Parsons, owner of Brown Paper Bling, crafts handmade leather and upcycled jewelry inspired by her Appalachian roots and faith. Her unique creative process, rooted in childhood artistry and a love for natural materials, showcases her confidence and passion for her local heritage.