Events & Outreach
center gallery
Our Center Gallery hosts a variety of shows from individual artist exhibits to entire groups in a wide spectrum of mediums. Shows typically involve a reception toward the beginning of the month – sign up for our newsletter to learn more!
the eye and the after
August 2025 in the Center Gallery
Join the Cherokee County Arts Council in celebrating “The Eye and the After,” an extraordinary exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Kira Bursky. Following hurricane Helene in September of 2024, Kira created a visual journal through the month of October. View the exhibit in chronological order from October 1st through 31st, and process the emotions of the disaster along with the artist.
Bursky’s daily drawings from the aftermath provide a visual dialogue on mental health and shared experiences, affirming CCAC’s commitment to community and connection through the arts.
Exhibition Dates: August 1 – 31, 2025
ongoing events
Our events are an important way of sharing varied art experiences with the community while providing a closer look at specific kinds of art.
Spring Student Art Show
Each year, we open our gallery for middle and high school students to display their art and compete for medals and prize money.
This allows students to present their work to the public and helps the arts council to recognize the contributions of our art teachers who help students develop their artistic skills.
Date: April 2025
Location: CCAC Gallery
Cost: free
Silver Arts Exhibit for NC Senior Games
NC is the only state to include an artistic section of their senior games: the silver arts competition.
Age 55+ compete for medals locally and the right to compete at the state level. Categories include, fine arts, traditional crafts, and literature.
Date: May 2025
Location: CCAC Gallery
Cost: free
Not Your Grandma's Quilt Show
In October, our gallery is taken over by members of the local chapter of the Modern Appalachian Quilt Guild.
The walls are transformed into quilted surfaces showcasing modern sewing techniques and modern designs from abstract to whimsy to new interpretations of old patterns.
Date: Oct 1 – 31
Location: CCAC Gallery
Cost: free
Fashioned in Clay
The annual pottery show has proven to the public that clay artists can show you not just pots and plates, but also fishing reels, pipe wrenches, banjos, and Birkenstock sandals, all made from clay.
Showing that amazing variety is why we recognize potters every year.
Date: Nov. 1 – 30
Location: CCAC Gallery
Cost: free
Art Walk
Visit downtown Murphy to talk with local and regional artists and to purchase their work, patronize local businesses and restaurants and keep our dollars local. The CCAC is proud to have continuously served as a major supporter for this wonderful First Friday event created by and organized by the members of the Valley River Arts Guild.
Date: the first Friday of the month, May-Dec
Time: 5 – 8 pm
Location: downtown Murphy, NC
Cost: free
special events
Less frequently, the CCAC hosts special out-of-town guest
performances and workshops to schools and the public.
John Brown
Jazz Orchestra
Funded by NC Arts and Education Grant and coordinated by the CCAC, the John Brown Jazz Orchestra visits our region to provide access to this special program where students learn more about band. Cherokee and Clay Co. students are also privilege to an exciting performance.
National Danish Performance Team
In Denmark, gymnastics is much more than a sport, it’s a way of life. The CCAC is always excited to host the National Danish Performance Team, who provide school workshops, along with a spectacular public performance. Keep an eye out for their next trip to Cherokee Co, NC in 2025.
Brasstown Morris Dancers
In collaboration with the John C. Campbell Folk School, the CCAC has coordinated field trips with schools to have an audience with our local Morris teams, performing in the tradition of English folk and country dances on stage at the Folk School’s Festival Barn.
Danish Senior
Gymnasts
This team of retired gymnasts from Denmark comes to the region, with the coordination of the CCAC and John C. Campbell Folk School, to offer performances in schools along with talks on living a healthful lifestyle, followed by a fun, energetic public performance.
Berea College
Country Dancers
On rare occasions, folk dancers from Berea College in Berea, KY, tour the region to offer public performances showcasing a wide array of traditional English dance. Sponsored in part by the CCAC, they also provide school workshops with student instruction around the community.
Flamenco Vivo
Carlotta Santana
Based in New York City, Flamenco Vivo Carlotta Santana visits the area to provide day-long school workshops on history, art, and literature, along with an evening performance open to the public at the Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville, NC.
school programs
The CCAC partners regional artists with local schools
to enhance arts education and accessibility.
resident artists
in the classroom
The CCAC hires regional artists to work with classroom teachers 1-2 hours per day, 3-4 days per week, in 1+ classes in a school.
Artists are selected by the CCAC and partnered with a school (elementary, middle, and high school).
For more info, contact David Vowell at the CCAC at director@cherokeeartscouncil.org
field
trips
Teachers are invited to bring their class to see our own exhibits and meet the artists whose work is being featured.
This opportunity is available year-round, for all ages, and at no cost.
For more info, contact Geraud Barralon at the CCAC at director@cherokeeartscouncil.org
week long
art gala
The CCAC coordinates a full week of varied classes (am & pm) with a show and tell event on Friday. We offer 12 classes in 4-5 forms of art that can include painting, paper arts, dance, and pottery.
This opportunity is open to all grade levels at no cost through CCAC funding. Schools selected for this program are determined by the CCAC.
youth programs
The CCAC offers extra curricular activities
in an artistic atmosphere.
chess club
The CCAC facilitates chess club for kids ages 6-13 that focuses on the fun of learning the game in a non-competitive environment.
Chess sets and instruction are provided at no cost.
The group meets Mondays 3:30-5:00pm in the CCAC gallery.
join the CCAC
be the first to know about upcoming events, get discounted tickets, join us for exclusive shows and events
Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores,
and college-going rates
as well as lower drop out rates
all across the socio-economic strata.