Gaston Arts Council

Gaston Arts Council GAC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports cultural and educational programs.

Today we honor Juneteenth, a day of profound historical significance, hard-won freedom, and enduring cultural celebratio...
06/19/2026

Today we honor Juneteenth, a day of profound historical significance, hard-won freedom, and enduring cultural celebration.

The arts have always been at the heart of African American culture and resistance. From the spirituals sung by enslaved people as acts of both survival and defiance, to the jazz, blues, and hip-hop that have shaped American music, to the visual artists, writers, and performers who have documented, celebrated, and demanded recognition of Black life and dignity throughout history.

Here in Gaston County, we are proud to support organizations like the African American Museum of History and Culture at Loray Mill, which works every day to preserve and celebrate that legacy in our own community, and HELP Carolina who organizes Ebonyfest as a celebration of Juneteenth in Ranlo and Gastonia.

Today and every day we celebrate, we remember, and we recommit to building a community where every story is honored. 🎨✊🏾

06/16/2026

🌟 What a week it's going to be in Gaston County! Here's your arts guide for the third week of June:

✏️ Creative Wednesday - June 17 | 11:00 AM-2:00 PM | Arts on the Greenway, Mount Holly. This is a space to come together, bring your own materials, and work on whatever project you're passionate about! https://artsonthegreenway.org/event/creative-wednesday-3/2026-06-17/

🖊️ Gaston Draws: Open Call Figure Drawing - June 17 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Anne Biggers Furr Learning Station, Dallas. Ages 13+, free, register & bring your own supplies! https://www.gastoncountymuseum.org/discover/gaston-draws-the-figure-series

🎵 Community Canvas Grand Opening - June 17 | 5:00-8:00 PM | FUSE District, Gastonia, NC. Celebrate this open creative space that artists with an accessible platform for expression and growth that is ever evolving! https://www.instagram.com/p/DZQBoYCE8Kb/

And of course, the big one:

🎨 2nd ArtsGaston Showcase - June 18 | 6:00–8:30 PM | Grand Hall, Mount Holly. The arts event of the summer! Get you ticket at the link below and learn more in our dedicated post. https://givebutter.com/artsgaston-showcase

🎨 A little Saturday inspiration from one of the greatest artists who ever lived:"...plus j’y réfléchis plus je sens qu’i...
06/13/2026

🎨 A little Saturday inspiration from one of the greatest artists who ever lived:

"...plus j’y réfléchis plus je sens qu’il n’y a rien de plus réellement artistique que d’aimer les gens."

(The more I think about it, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.) - Vincent Van Gogh

At the Gaston Arts Council, we believe the arts are ultimately about connection. About seeing each other more fully, understanding each other more deeply, and building a community where everyone belongs.

That's why we do this work. And that's why it matters. 🌟

⏰ Just ONE more day until our Amplify Meetup and we are so excited to see you there!⁠⁠If you haven’t registered yet, now...
06/12/2026

⏰ Just ONE more day until our Amplify Meetup and we are so excited to see you there!⁠
⁠
If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time! This is one of our favorite mornings of the month... a room full of Gaston County creatives coming together to connect, share ideas, and remind each other why we do what we do.⁠
⁠
📅 Saturday, June 13th⁠
📍 Rankin Lake Park, Picnic Shelter #1, Gastonia⁠
🕐 9:00 - 10:30 am⁠
🎟️ Free | Register at the link in our bio.⁠
⁠
See you tomorrow morning! 🎨✨

⏰ Just ONE more day until our Amplify Meetup and we are so excited to see you there!If you haven't registered yet, now i...
06/12/2026

⏰ Just ONE more day until our Amplify Meetup and we are so excited to see you there!

If you haven't registered yet, now is the time! This is one of our favorite mornings of the month... a room full of Gaston County creatives coming together to connect, share ideas, and remind each other why we do what we do.

📅 Saturday, June 13th
📍 Rankin Lake Park, Picnic Shelter #1, Gastonia
🕐 9:00 - 10:30 am
🎟️ Free | Register at https://bit.ly/43oM20Q

See you tomorrow morning! 🎨✨

Have you listened to the latest episode of the Savvy Citizen Podcast? 🎙️ Recently, Interim Executive Director Steph Newm...
06/10/2026

Have you listened to the latest episode of the Savvy Citizen Podcast? 🎙️

Recently, Interim Executive Director Steph Newman joined the Savvy Citizen Podcast, produced by Gaston County's Communications Office, to talk about the exciting things happening through the Gaston Arts Council - including the upcoming ArtsGaston Showcase on June 18.

The conversation covered everything from supporting local artists and arts organizations to building a more connected creative community across Gaston County. She also shared a preview of what attendees can expect at this year's Showcase - a celebration of the artists, makers, performers, organizations, and creative energy that make Gaston County such a vibrant place to live.

We're grateful for the opportunity to share our story and highlight the incredible creative talent that exists right here in our community.

Listen in, learn more, and then join us on June 18 as we celebrate the incredible artists, organizations, and creative energy that make Gaston County such a special place. 🎨

Listen at the link below: https://savvycitizen.podbean.com/e/celebrating-gaston-arts/

06/09/2026

🎨 Just over ONE WEEK until the 2nd ArtsGaston Showcase lights up the Grand Hall in Mount Holly!

Here’s what you can look forward to:

🎶 Live performances
🏛️ Organization showcases from across Gaston County
🥂 Drinks & light bites
🤝 Networking with creatives, community leaders & arts enthusiasts
✨ A night celebrating everything that makes Gaston County’s arts scene so special

Have you grabbed your tickets yet? 🎟️
https://givebutter.com/artsgaston-showcase

Are you an arts organization that hasn’t confirmed your table yet? There’s still time - reach out to us TODAY!

We cannot wait to see you there. 🌟

🎨 The arts have always made room for everyone.For as long as humans have created, through music, movement, paint, poetry...
06/01/2026

🎨 The arts have always made room for everyone.

For as long as humans have created, through music, movement, paint, poetry, and performance, art has been the place where people who didn't fit anywhere else finally felt at home.

Some of the most transformative contributions to our culture have come from people who were told their stories didn't belong. And yet their work changed everything. It shaped the way we see beauty, the way we understand ourselves, and the way we imagine what's possible.

That's the power of a truly open creative community. When everyone has a place at the table, the art gets richer. The stories get fuller. And the world gets a little more human.

We believe the arts belong to everyone - every voice, every story, every soul. 🌟

Art sees you. 🌈

05/31/2026

🎶 June is here and Gaston County is PACKED with things to do! Here's what's on our arts radar this week:

🏖️ City of Lowell | LIVE Music in the Park: The Embers ft. Craig Woolard | Sunday, May 31 | 6:30–9:30 PM | 📍 Lowell, NC
Close out your weekend with beach music favorites and great community vibes!

📖 Belmont Bookshop | Poetry Night & Open Mic | June 3 | 6:30–8:00 PM | 📍 Belmont, NC
An open, welcoming evening for poets, writers, musicians, and storytellers to share work or enjoy local creativity.

🎸 City of Mount Holly | Mount Holly Nights | Friday, June 5 | 6:00–10:00 PM | 📍 Mount Holly, NC
A lively downtown celebration featuring live music, food, and community fun for all ages.

🖼️ Arts Mount Holly | Arts Mount Holly Festival | 📍 Mount Holly, NC
- Preview Night | Friday, June 5 | 6:00–9:00 PM
- Festival Day | Saturday, June 6 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
- “Roots and Branches” Reception & Awards | June 6 | 4:30–6:00 PM |

💥 Gaston County Public Library | 9th Annual Comic-Con | Saturday, June 6 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | 📍 Gastonia, NC
Cosplay, comics, vendors, artists, food trucks, and family fun—plus costume contests and special guests!

🪕 The Rooster | Mason Cole & The Hellbenders wsg Common Clay | Saturday, June 6 | 7:00 PM | 📍 Gastonia, NC
An evening of homegrown country music featuring Mason Cole & The Hellbenders with special guest Common Clay.

Save this post and share it with a fellow art lover! 🌷

05/28/2026

🎶 The arts connect us across generations and organizations like Carolina Pro Musica help bring history to life through music.

We are proud to support Carolina Pro Musica through our Grassroots Grant Program, helping make performances and educational programs accessible to our community throughout the year.

From celebrating the music of Bach and Handel to hosting free songwriting workshops, and presenting programs connected to America’s 250th anniversary, Carolina Pro Musica continues to create meaningful opportunities for learning, creativity, and cultural connection in Gaston County.

We’re grateful for the role they play in strengthening Gaston County’s cultural landscape through music, education, and community engagement. 💛 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wTlH8w

Address

301 W. Main Avenue
Gastonia, NC
28052

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17048532787

Website

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