Upstairs Artspace

Upstairs Artspace A nonprofit contemporary art gallery in downtown Tryon, NC dedicated to promoting and educating our The Upstairs is Tryon’s oldest art gallery.

It was founded in 1978 by a local artist because “there was no gallery in North Carolina showing avant-garde art.”

The mission of the Upstairs is to aid the development, understanding, and appreciation of contemporary art and craft forms in order to enrich the cultural life of the region. The Upstairs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Upstairs has exhibited hundreds of regional artists as

well as artists from other parts of the United States. The Upstairs was in three “upstairs” locations between 1978 and 1986. That is why it is called the Upstairs. The Upstairs is “owned and operated” by its current Board of Directors, many members, volunteers and a staff consisting
of an Executive Director, Gallery Manager, Sponsorship Coordinator, Graphic Artist, and several collegiate interns. The Upstairs is funded through art sales, grants, private and corporate donations, and fundraising events. The Upstairs has three interior galleries with a total of about 3000 square feet of exhibition space. Exhibits are changed every six to eight weeks. The Upstairs welcomes students and senior citizens and encourages their participation in gallery activities. The Upstairs Artspace is “more than just an art gallery.” It is a cultural center with art education programs, workshops, musical concerts, plays, dance, film, the monthly Literary Open Stage, and much more!

LAST CHANCE TO SEE “LAND OF HIGH MOUNTAINS” 🌺🏝️🇭🇹🤍This is your final week to experience Land of High Mountains: The Art ...
08/27/2026

LAST CHANCE TO SEE “LAND OF HIGH MOUNTAINS” 🌺🏝️🇭🇹🤍

This is your final week to experience Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Artspace… on view through August 28!

Take a glimpse into the Haitian art collection of Harold Maass and Margaret Curtis, collected during Maass’s years reporting in Haiti. Vibrant with color, culture, and history, these works celebrate the strength, beauty, creativity, and resilience of Haitian life.

The exhibition also features Hague Williams’ collaborative textile installation Threaded Voices: Stories from Duquesa, bringing together powerful stories of community, survival, and hope through art.

Don’t miss your last opportunity to experience this remarkable exhibition. ❤️🇭🇹

🗓 LAST DAY: August 28, 2026
📍 Upstairs Artspace | Tryon, NC

Come see it before it’s gone!

A Heartfelt Thank You!❤️Upstairs Artspace would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make our joi...
08/26/2026

A Heartfelt Thank You!❤️

Upstairs Artspace would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make our joint-sponsor screening of the Haitian Carnival documentary KANAVAL such a wonderful and meaningful event!

We are incredibly grateful to filmmaker Leah Gordon, Marianne Carruth, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Beau Menetre, Tryon International Film Festival, and the Polk County Film Initiative for their generous collaboration, support, and partnership.

A special thank you to the Tryon International Film Festival’s Human Rights & Dignity category and to Tryon Fine Arts Center for helping bring this powerful film to our community. Upstairs Artspace, Tryon’s contemporary art gallery, is sincerely grateful for the opportunity to work together to celebrate Haitian history, culture, art, and storytelling.

🍪 And a special shout-out to Valhalla Cakes & Cafe for the beautiful custom Haitian-themed cookies! Your thoughtful and creative treats added such a wonderful touch to the event, and we truly appreciate your support.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended and supported the screening. Your presence, enthusiasm, and generous donations meant so much to us!! All donations were deeply appreciated and will help support Upstairs Artspace’s continued programming and community outreach.

Thank you to everyone who came together to make this special celebration possible! 🇭🇹❤️💙

🎬 A SPECIAL SCREENING OF KANAVAL 🇭🇹Upstairs Artspace, in partnership with Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) and the Tryon In...
07/31/2026

🎬 A SPECIAL SCREENING OF KANAVAL 🇭🇹

Upstairs Artspace, in partnership with Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) and the Tryon International Film Festival (TRIFF), is honored to present a FREE screening of the award-winning documentary KANAVAL: A People’s History of Haiti in Six Chapters.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM
📍 Tryon Fine Arts Center
34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, NC

Presented in conjunction with our summer exhibition, Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival, KANAVAL offers a powerful and visually stunning exploration of Haitian history and culture through the vibrant carnival traditions of Jacmel.

Through colorful costumes, handcrafted masks, music, archival footage, and personal stories, the film traces Haiti’s history from the Indigenous Taíno people and the Haitian Revolution to the founding of the world’s first Black republic in 1804 and the resilience of modern Haiti.

Directed by photographer and filmmaker Leah Gordon, who has documented Jacmel’s carnival for nearly three decades, KANAVAL celebrates the creativity, cultural traditions, history, and enduring spirit of the Haitian people. 🇭🇹

✨ This screening is FREE and open to the public, but registration is required and seating is limited!

🎟️ Register at UpstairsArtspace.org through the Events page.

This event is possible due to the generous collaboration and support of filmmaker Leah Gordon, the Tryon Fine Arts Center, and the Tryon International Film Festival, specifically the Human Rights and Dignity Category. Upstairs Artspace, Tryon’s contemporary art gallery, is sincerely grateful for their partnership in bringing this powerful film to our community.

🎨 Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival is on view at Upstairs Artspace through August 28.

📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St., Tryon, NC
🗓️ Wednesday–Sunday | 12–5 PM
📞 (828) 859-2828
🌐 UpstairsArtspace.org

✨ A closer look at the art movement featured in Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival 🎨The Saint Soleil School eme...
07/31/2026

✨ A closer look at the art movement featured in Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival 🎨

The Saint Soleil School emerged in Haiti in the early 1970s, transforming Haitian art through expressive abstraction, vibrant colors, symbolism, and a deep connection to Haitian culture and spirituality.

Discover the powerful works of this influential movement and more in Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Artspace.

🗓 Now on view through August 28, 2026
📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St. | Tryon, NC

Come on in before this exhibition is gone! 🎨✨There’s still time to experience Land of High Mountains: The Art of Surviva...
07/30/2026

Come on in before this exhibition is gone! 🎨✨

There’s still time to experience Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Artspace. A powerful celebration of Haitian creativity, culture, resilience, and storytelling.

Don’t miss your chance to see this special exhibition before it closes!

🗓 On view through August 28, 2026
📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St.
Tryon, NC

This is what you might see walking into the gallery… 👀🎨✨A world of vibrant colors, rich textures, and powerful stories a...
07/29/2026

This is what you might see walking into the gallery… 👀🎨✨

A world of vibrant colors, rich textures, and powerful stories awaits you at Upstairs Artspace.

Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival 📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St.
Tryon, NC

A whole lot of tropical vibes, culture, and storytelling can be found here at Upstairs Artspace! 🌺🌊🌴Land of High Mountai...
07/28/2026

A whole lot of tropical vibes, culture, and storytelling can be found here at Upstairs Artspace! 🌺🌊🌴

Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival features a carefully selected private collection of Haitian artwork from Harold Maass and Margaret Curtis, celebrating the creativity, history, and spirit of Haiti.

From vibrant colors and rich textures to powerful stories woven through each piece, this exhibition invites you to experience Haiti through art.

Come explore this incredible collection and discover something new at Upstairs Artspace. 🎨✨

📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St.
Tryon, NC

Want to be moved by art? ❤️At the heart of Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival is = Threaded Voices: Stories fro...
07/27/2026

Want to be moved by art? ❤️

At the heart of Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival is = Threaded Voices: Stories from Duquesa, a powerful collaborative textile installation by artist and educator Hague Williams.

Created with children living in a Haitian refugee community near the Caribbean’s largest open-air landfill, the project began with one simple act: listening. Through handmade story flags, drawings, stitching, and found materials, the children shared their experiences, dreams, and resilience in their own voices.

The result is a deeply moving installation that speaks to hope, creativity, and the extraordinary ability of art to connect people across cultures.

Come experience Threaded Voices and the rest of Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival before the exhibition closes on August 28, 2026.

📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St.
Tryon, NC

Come take a peek inside! 🎨✨Step into Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Artspace and experience an ...
07/26/2026

Come take a peek inside! 🎨✨

Step into Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Artspace and experience an exhibition celebrating the creativity, resilience, and spirit of Haiti. hope through art.

Whether you’re visiting Tryon for the day or you’re a local looking for something inspiring, we’d love to welcome you in!

🗓 On view through August 28, 2026
📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St.
Tryon, NC

Looking for something inspiring this summer? 🎨Come experience Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Ar...
07/25/2026

Looking for something inspiring this summer? 🎨

Come experience Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival at Upstairs Artspace. An exhibition celebrating the creativity, resilience, and spirit of Haiti 🌊🏝️🥭🦜🌺

Featuring Hague Williams’ collaborative textile installation, Threaded Voices: Stories from Duquesa, alongside selections from the Haitian art collection of Harold Maass and Margaret Curtis, this exhibition explores stories of community, survival, and hope through powerful works of art.

Whether you’re a longtime art lover or simply looking for something new to experience, we’d love to welcome you!

🗓 On view through August 28, 2026
📍 Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St.
Tryon, NC

Address

49 S Trade Street
Tryon, NC
28782

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

(828) 859-2828

Website

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