Connecting the community through art, education, and creative expression.

Happenings

Elevate the Arts: Donate HERE!

Help us Elevate the Arts! Thanks to an extraordinary anonymous gift, HCAC now has a permanent home at 196 N. Main Street — and your support will help transform this 17,400-square-foot building into a vibrant arts center where artists can create, students can learn, art can be celebrated, and our community can gather for generations to come. Join our $1.5 million Elevate the Arts Campaign — every gift, from $5 to $500 and beyond, brings us one step closer to making this dream a reality.

Learn More & DONATE HERE!
Small Works Exhibit

November 2 - December 31
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our annual, community-favorite Small Works exhibit celebrates creativity in a compact form. Featuring artwork 12×12 inches or smaller, as well as handcrafted ornaments, this show is perfect for gift-giving or adding a little joy to your own collection. Celebrate the season and discover the big impact of small art!

See Exhibit Calendar
Art for All: Art Class for Disabled Adults

Meets every second Tuesday
Join us for a welcoming, 1.5-hour art experience that encourages creativity, exploration, and self-expression! Participants can experiment with a variety of art materials and create at their own pace in a supportive environment. Designed for those who can participate with minimal assistance; participants needing additional one-on-one support are welcome to bring a caregiver or support person at no charge. Space is limited to 12 participants, so register early!

Reserve Your Seat Here & Learn More
Kid's Art Club

Meets every first and third Thursday
Kid’s Art Club builds creativity and confidence through a variety of hands-on art experiences. Each session features a new project, exploring different materials and techniques through guided activities and collaborative challenges; adapted so every child can participate.

Get Your Tickets Here
Elevate the Arts on WLOS News 13

WLOS News 13 recently visited our new home at 196 N. Main Street to share the exciting story of the Haywood County Arts Council's next chapter! In her interview, Executive Director Tonya Harwood shared the vision for transforming this 17,000-square-foot building into a vibrant community arts center filled with galleries, classrooms, artist studios, and creative opportunities for everyone. Watch the feature and learn how you can help bring this vision to life through our Elevate the Arts Campaign!

See HCAC WLOS News 13 Feature HERE
Elevate the Arts in Smoky Mountain News

Good news travels fast! Smoky Mountain News writer Garret K. Woodward shares the story of HCAC’s new permanent home at 196 N. Main Street and the generous gift that made the purchase possible. Read the inspiring story and learn how you can help us Elevate the Arts as we transform this historic building into a vibrant home for artists, students, and our community.

Read SMN Article HERE
Elevate the Arts Featured in The Mountaineer

The Mountaineer recently featured the Haywood County Arts Council in an article by Sydney Shankman, celebrating the extraordinary $1 million donation that helped secure our permanent home at 196 N. Main Street in downtown Waynesville. Read about this exciting milestone and our vision for transforming the historic building into a welcoming community arts hub!

Read The Mountaineer Article HERE

Building Community Through the Arts Since 1977

Since 1977, the Haywood County Arts Council has brought people together through the power of the arts. What began as a passionate group of volunteers has grown into a vibrant organization dedicated to promoting artists, advancing art education, and fostering innovation in creative expression.

We envision a community deeply engaged in the arts, where creativity is not only celebrated but shared. We believe art is a powerful vehicle for sparking conversation, building understanding, and inspiring social change. Each culture’s artistic voice enriches our community, creating opportunities to connect through personal stories and shared experiences.

Guided by a diverse Board of Directors, including business leaders, educators, artists, and community advocates, we continue to grow, evolve, and champion the arts for all.

Events

From the toe-tapping sounds of the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival in Maggie Valley to the behind-the-scenes creativity of the Haywood County Studio Tour, our events celebrate the arts in all their forms. Enjoy live music, explore working artist studios, and connect with creativity throughout the year. In partnership with HART Theatre, we also bring the community together for Cool Jazz during Ice Fest Weekend, featuring award-winning performances and opportunities to learn and engage. Whether you’re a music lover, art collector, or simply curious, our events invite you to experience the vibrant arts scene of Haywood County.

Learn More

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a denim jacket with a patterned hoodie underneath and blue jeans, looking at framed portraits of people on a gallery wall.

Programs

Our programs bring art into the heart of Haywood County, offering opportunities for all ages and skill levels to create, learn, and connect. From community-driven public art through Art Across Haywood to hands-on Creation Classes led by local artists, there’s always a way to get involved. Artists can grow and collaborate in our welcoming Critique Circle, while makers of all kinds find inspiration in groups like Junk Journaling Club.

At the center of it all is our gallery in downtown Waynesville, where local artists showcase their work through rotating exhibits and a vibrant retail space. We’re also proud to inspire the next generation through Kids Art Club and celebrate regional heritage with our Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, bringing art to barns, homes, and businesses across the region.

Whether you’re creating, learning, or exploring, our programs invite you to be part of a thriving creative community.

Two people working on a colorful star mural in an art studio. The woman on the left is drawing on the artwork, and the man on the right is taking a photo with a smartphone. Art supplies and lockers are visible in the background.

Support the Arts, Join the Community

Your support keeps the arts thriving in Haywood County! Donations to HCAC help fund art supplies for our programs, scholarships for high school students, stipends for Kids Art Club instructors, and many other initiatives that nurture creativity across our community.

We’re also always looking for volunteers to lend their time and talents. Join our Quilt Block Studio at the Folkmoot Friendship Center to help outline and paint quilt blocks or merchandise sold in our gallery, no experience required! Or become a Gallery Volunteer, welcoming visitors, promoting local artists, and keeping our gallery doors open.

Whether through giving or volunteering, you can be part of a growing, creative community that celebrates art in all its forms.

Featured Artist Sponsorships