I drove in from Charlotte area to attend a 'First Friday' event hosted by my daughter-in-law. Her…read moreand my Son live in New Hampshire so she came into town to for the entire month of July to paint and get prepared for the 8/1/25 event. Molly is a talented and experienced artist, primarily in oil and acrylic. They had invited about a dozen or so people from around CLT Region who came into town to see her and James since they live in NH. It was an interesting evening because it started raining hard just about 7p as the event was getting in gear. I'm sure it deterred quite a few from attending. There are two floors with other 'artist in residence' so it was a lively and diverse Friday crowd. I did make it 'upstairs' to meet Caitlin Cary, a local artist who has a studio there. Some may know here as vocalist/violin player with Ryan Adams formerly of the band Whiskeytown.

A great eclectic collection of local artists. Friendly front desk receptionist. Fun to see some…read moreartists currently working in their studios. Inspiring experience.

On this First Friday weekend, I had a chance to go by Litmus and see a friend's opening of her…read moreartwork exhibition with a small reception. Upon going there and finding out what they are doing for the artists in the area, I have to say I am a fan of their work and concept. Upon inspection in the inside, it is a very simple modest venue. Though it is not in an upscale category, it is a nice simple place for local artists to show their art and grow their talents. I say grow their talents because as you look around inside, you see what the "studios" part of the name is about. In the majority of the space, there are large stalls or mini-studios that are available to rent by local artists so they can have a private place to pursue their muse. Maybe their body of work has outgrown their home or they just need to be around their peers, but it offers a place for them to go and do their work in a environment dedicated for that purpose in whatever medium they work in. And when I found out these studio stalls were at a ridiculously low price per month, I was even more impressed. It appears that they are about giving a great opportunity to local up-and-coming as well as more experienced artists to make use of their talent and pursue their passion, as well as display the results when completed. Because of this, I am a fan of Litmus Gallery & Studios and wish them well in their endeavors.

Litmus is a a lovely gallery and artist co-working space on the backside of The Depot. It's easy to…read moremiss or even NEVER see, as its location doesn't bring in a lot of foot traffic. However, if you know where you look, you'll actually be surprised how convenient it is to the typical Depot activities [neighbors to Deep South and around the corner from The Junction Bar & Salon]. The space seems small from the outside and can be a little misleading, but once you're inside you have the option of starting in the small gallery space to the right, which rotates artists monthly, or walking down the narrow hallway to the back. You'll pass multiple rooms on your left and right that local artists have rented out as their studios. It's the same concept of 311 Gallery in Raleigh or The Golden Belt in Durham and they put on some stellar First Friday events [a table stocked with finger foods and LOTS of boxed and bottled wines!]. They've got all sorts of artists including someone who creates busts and clay modes that bring to mind work from the Greek and Roman period [there was also an advertisement requesting for NUDE models, so if that's your calling in life, here's your place!] Lots of photography, mixed media, pottery and paintings were in the mix and the space was welcoming although I noted that you had to begin the conversation if you want to learn about the space. Overall, a great space to add to your First Friday tour and a little hidden, which keeps the crowds down.

Bev's is a jewel of a find. It touts many American artists whose original art allows the customer…read moreto find the exact style, colors and look that your design project requires. Their custom framing allows you to create the perfect piece to go above your fire place mantel or even above your master bedroom sitting area. We were very excited by the options available there and have told many friends about Bev's and look forward to using them again for future projects in our house.

Bev's Fine Arts has changed our world of art as we once knew it. Duck prints and wildlife art was…read morethe highlight of our wall decor until we stepped into Bev's world of fine art. We have learned and grown so much in our love for art which began with meeting Bev in her gallery one quiet afternoon years ago. The team at Bev's are passionate about what they do and that is reflected in the quality of service they provide to their customers. We discovered our own passion for art and Bev helped us enhance our wildlife prints by reframing them, allowing them to compliment other pieces of art we acquired over time. Bev also helped us create a nostalgic display of old, black and white, family photos which is a highlight of our home whenever family or friends visit. I can't say enough about the talent that is exemplified in the work done by Bev's Fine Art Team.

Cedar Creek Gallery is located in Creedmoor, NC. It is a co-op of artists; some create their work…read moreon the grounds, and others have their items available for sale. It is locally owned and was founded in 1968, when Sid and Pat Oakley converted a former tobacco field into the site. It started small with one building and has since grown over time to many more. Two studios are used for glassblowing, and five studios are for pottery, including a kiln. The gallery is 4,000 Square feet, so there is a lot to see! When you come here, you will pick up on the creative vibe and community that develops as artists support each other. The location is pretty great too as you are away from the hustle and bustle and can just relax in nature whether you are strolling through the garden or just walking to the front door of the gallery. Sometimes when you visit, you can watch the artists work as they create their masterpieces of pottery or glass. The studios allow the public to watch at a safe distance. I like the variety of genres here, as you will find glass, wood, pottery, metal, jewelry, felt and more. Many events and festivals happen throughout the year. The National Tea Pot Show is currently going on through the summer, and it happens once every three years, so it is worth checking out. Pottery and Glass Festivals happen at other times of the year. The Cupful Exhibit is another favorite, featuring creatively designed homemade mugs. The Glass Egg Festival is unique in that the 55 blown-glass, unique eggs are auctioned each year for charity. The employees are always friendly when I've been here to browse or shop, and they help you find what you are looking for. They have a rewards program where, after you spend a certain amount, you get a discount and 20% off an item in your birthday month. I highly recommend making a trip to explore this gallery, as you never know what will catch your eye.

I love all three . This is by far the best gallery around! It has a little bit of everything. I…read morecould spend hours there.

Cute little wine bar downtown that closes on the early side (10pm Tues/Wed/Thurs, 11pm Fri/Sat, 7pm…read moreSun) but nice for an early evening sip. It's got modern, slightly rustic vibes, lit brightly for the art gallery in the back room. There's a good amount of seating and it's not completely filled with the undergrad crowd like other bars in the area. I see they host a book club and if I lived in Raleigh, I'd be all over that-- this is the perfect atmosphere! They have a nice bubbles by the glass selection (4 options, including a Lambrusco), which is really impressive since so many wine bars give you one, two at most. Vegan options on the menu include hummus, olives and pickles. I was planning to eat there, but time got away from me and they do a strict closing time, so maybe next time.

One of my favorite after-work haunts. Very little beats sitting on a swing with a good friend, a…read morebowl of cheese crackers, and a generous pour of wine. I particularly love the work of independent artists hung around the interior! We're having our holiday party here this year and I'm super excited for it - didn't even know this was also an event space.

We had some time to kill and were looking for a non-chain coffee spot. This one was close by and…read morehad great reviews. So we decided to give them a try. We had a little difficulty finding it. GPS brought us to the parking lot behind the building. There isn't clear signage to direct you where to go. We managed to find our way up the stairs and into the building. There are a number of businesses located inside. Lucky Tree is super cute. It's set up to encourage working, with plenty of charging spots all around. There is a variety of seating, from long wooden tables to smaller individual areas. We ordered a chai latte and golden milk latte, both with oat milk. Both drinks were good. Fyi there is a separate entrance from the side that takes you directly to another smaller parking lot.

I decided to try this out for a quick coffee stop while in town for a conference. The service was…read morefriendly and quick! I tried the breakfast bagel bites, which were soft and warm. I loved the cheese on top! I was not a huge fan of the flavor the almond flour gave them but it was not overpowering. I would probably get them again! They had a lot of options as far as specialty lattes but I am glad I went with the Vanilla Maple. I was worried that the maple flavor would be too much but it complimented the vanilla well. The inside was VERY well decorated, and I would've loved to stay and do a little computer work! I could see myself coming by and sitting down for a quick brunch, meeting up with friends, or staying for a work session.

My husband and I recently visited Gallery C for a date night, and it was one of the highlights of…read moreour evening. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by a staff member who was incredibly knowledgeable about both the gallery and the artwork on display. He took the time to share the stories behind several pieces and even invited us to stay for an upcoming artist talk later that evening. Unfortunately, we already had plans, but we'll definitely make it a priority next time. During our visit, Gallery C was featuring "Black Mountain College: Avant-Garde Art from the Experimental School, 1933-1957," an incredible exhibition showcasing works inspired by one of the most influential experimental art schools in American history. The collection offers a fascinating look at the artists, ideas, and creative spirit that emerged from Black Mountain College, making it a must-see for anyone who appreciates modern art and art history. The gallery itself is beautifully curated, spotless, and inviting. It truly feels like one of Raleigh's hidden gems. Whether you're an experienced collector or simply looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon, Gallery C is absolutely worth a visit. Parking was easy with street parking available directly in front of the gallery, along with a small parking lot nearby. We're so glad we discovered Gallery C and are already looking forward to returning for another exhibition and hopefully an artist talk next time.

Beautiful art and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Wonderful selection of frames and matting.read more

Although the museum was small, at least admission was free. I noticed that all of the paintings on…read moredisplay were created by artists who are from North Carolina which adds a local touch to the typical art museum.

This is a very small but charming free contemporary art museum in Raleigh. We really enjoyed the…read morelocal artists from Western NC featured during our visit. The space is intimate, which makes for a personal and unique experience. We're looking forward to their reopening and can't wait to check out the new exhibits. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area -- a true hidden gem!