Caldwell Arts Council

06/22/2026

A HUGE Thank You 🎉 to The Lenoir Service League for their generous donation to The Caldwell Arts Council!
This check allowed us to fund a Grant Writing Program to help further our community and local artists! 👩‍🎨 👨‍🎨
Pictured are The Service Leagues President, Linda Chambers, First Vice President, Kelly Pritchard, and our Executive Director, Zan Thompson!
We couldn’t do any of this without our partners in Caldwell County!
THANK YOU, Lenoir Service League Thrift Shop!!

06/19/2026

Want a chance to win $5,000?!
Hold a spot on your calendars for August 8th! You are not going to want to miss this one!! The Caldwell Arts Council presents " A Toast to the Arts!" An evening of fine dining, music! More information coming soon! We cant wait to celebrate with our community and artists!

TICKETS https://square.link/u/ABxCkVHG
Tickets are $100 plus tax. Each Ticket includes a complimentary raffle entry for a chance to win $5,000. There is no limit on tickets purchased. You do not need to be in attendance to win
Every ticket purchased helps support the daily operations of the Caldwell Arts Council, making it possible to continue serving our community through:
Arts education and outreach, Exhibitions and performances, Support for local artists, Cultural programming and special events, Advocacy for a vibrant local arts community!
Your support helps keep the arts accessible, inspiring, and thriving in Caldwell County.
THANK YOU and we are so excited to celebrate with YOU!

06/18/2026

Next up, our Secretary,Barbara Kirby! Thank you for all you do!!
Barbara loves and supports art and artists of every form, category and style. She is serving her second term on the CAC board and currently serves on the Executive Committee as Secretary. She is chairman of the Events Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Barbara is a retired educator and works part-time at the Caldwell County Public Library. She lives in the Oak Hill community with her husband of 43 years and their rescued dog, Oliver! She has two adult children.

06/17/2026

Introduing our Vice President, Tara Smith! We could not do any of this without you!!
Tara Smith joined the Caldwell Arts Council Board in 2025 and was elected Vice President in 2026. She has called Lenoir home since 2016 after relocating from Charlotte to enjoy a quieter, country lifestyle.
A graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in Marketing, Tara spent more than 30 years in computer technology sales before launching a successful full-time real estate career in Caldwell County. She credits the community's support for helping her build both her business and lasting local relationships.
Though not an artist herself, Tara has been a lifelong supporter of the arts through family, volunteerism, and arts education programs. Her mother was a painter and versatile artist, and her oldest daughter is a painter and photographer. She previously served as President of a Fine Arts Booster Council in Charlotte and as a member of the Hibriten High School Chorus Booster Club Board.
Prior to joining the Arts Council, Tara served in numerous volunteer roles with Foothills Canine Rescue, including several years on its Board of Directors.
Tara enjoys golf, life on the farm with her husband, and spending time with their four rescue dogs. She is excited to help the Caldwell Arts Council successfully transition into its new facility and continue supporting the arts in Caldwell County for generations to come!
Thank you, Tara!

06/16/2026

We also want to introduce and tell our community about our staff!
Meet Ashlea! Ashlea is new to the staff and does our social media as well as public relations and community engagement! When you see her out in town building and fostering relations, make sure to say hello! 👐
Ashlea comes from Brevard College where she played lacrosse and got her Bachelors in Business! She has worked in multiple disciplins and brings a fresh and creative outlook to The Council. Ashlea lives in Caldwell County with her furry best friend, Arthur! Ashlea and Arthur love spending days off hiking the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and she enjoys acrylic painting as well as printmaking!

06/16/2026

SUBMISSIONS DUE THIS FRIDAY! LAST CHANCE!!

🔔 🚨 Call for Sculptors!!! Applications are due by Friday, June 19th and will be juried in the following week.
Full info located at www.caldwellarts.com

Tucker’s Outdoor Sculpture Gallery is located on the streets of downtown Lenoir and is named for the town’s historical Tucker family, who settled in the area in 1797. Their barn was located near the Caldwell Arts Council and served as everything from a voting precinct and muster ground to a store and a place for “frolics” and celebrations.

06/16/2026

Art makes everything better!

06/16/2026