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CAROLINA ART
The top Arts & Culture destinations in North and South Carolina.
words SUNNY HUBLER, CHERISSA BANAG, ALLY MASTRONE, & EMILIE WIDARSSON photos COURTESY MUSEUMS OR ART DESTINATIONS
When it comes to art, the Southeast has a lot to offer, especially for those intrigued by the musings of artists from an area steeped in American history. Whether you’re looking to stroll a gallery or museum right here at home in the Queen City, to enjoy art across North and South Carolina, or even to create something of your own, below are some of the most innovative, interesting, and intersectional art-forward destinations open to the public today. The Bascom The Bascom, located in Highlands NC, was designed to bring visual art experiences to individuals and communities. For more than 30 years, the center has served as a vital cultural resource for Western North Carolina, and The Bascom “continues to build on that legacy through work and advocacy for the arts.” The varied exhibitions are always free and open to the public, and The Bascom also offers a retail space, pop up shops, and arts classes for a variety of
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skill levels. thebascom.org Folk Art Center As the most popular stop along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, The Folk Art Center serves as a destination for Appalachian arts and crafts to many. It’s located at milepost 382 near Asheville, North Carolina. The center, full of contemporary and traditional art and a large gift shop, also has offices for three separate Parkway partners: the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the National Park Service, and Eastern National. southernhighlandguild.org Weatherspoon Art Museum Weatherspoon Art Museum holds one of the best and biggest collections of modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. Located at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, it is open to everyone and presents not only student work, but professional work as well. You can stop by and experience their many exhibitions, or partake in any of the oth-
er programs, including lectures, panel discussions, social events, and more. weatherspoonart.org Biltmore Estate Built in the late 1800’s, the Biltmore Estate still stands as an architectural and historical marvel of not just Asheville, NC, but the U.S. as a whole. In fact, the French Renaissance mansion is the biggest home in all of North America, complete with 250 rooms and an astounding 8,000 acres of surrounding land. Each acre of the Biltmore property is filled with beautiful sights and exciting activities — guests can experience tours of the grand chateau, enjoy award-winning wine, take a wide range of classes, or simply enjoy a hike through impressively manicured gardens and trails. Whatever activities you decide to take part in during your visit at the Biltmore, expect to be dazzled by the estate’s historic charm. biltmore.com