WATCH VIDEO: Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival: May 19-21, 2017

Raleigh, NC – Artsplosure, the presenter of Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival, will feature an extraordinary lineup of visual and performing artists. This is the first year that the festival’s full footprint will be entirely on Fayetteville Street with a fully programmed music stage anchoring the northern end of the event.

City Plaza will host Architects of Air’s massive luminarium installation, Katena. The event will also feature the juried Art Market, multiple interactive art installations, a food truck rodeo area on Hargett Street and Kidsplosure in the newly renovated Market and Exchange plazas. The Main Stage will have performances each evening on Friday through Sunday of the event.

As it has been for 38 years, admission to Artsplosure is free! This ‘Art For All’ festival is planned and presented for the whole community to enjoy. The Katena installation will request a small entrance fee of $6, and will be open during the daytime hours of the festival.

This year’s Art Market will open at 11 a.m., on Friday, May 19, and will feature nearly 180 visual artists from across North Carolina and the nation. These artists and crafters exhibit and sell their original works of art in the following categories: ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, wood, other 2D and 3D works. Three expert judges will award $3,500 across six merit awards to the top artists in the market.

Fayetteville Street will be filled with music beginning Friday at 5 p.m., on the Main Stage near the capital building. Friday performances highlight the Triangles incredible talent, featuring set from local favorites including: Phil Cook & The Guitarheels, Lacy Jags, and Rise Raschid.

Starting at 9 am on Saturday, May 20, Artsplosure invites festival-goers to join Blue Lotus Yoga for a full hour class on the Main Stage. The music starts on the Main Stage at 11 a.m. with a jazz performance from Enloe Jazz Big Band. In the afternoon and evening, the stage will showcase the talents of the Dave Gunning, The Harris Brothers, Ed Stephenson and the Paco Band, and High & Mighty Brass Band. The legendary William Bell and his eleven piece band, begin the evening’s headliner set starting at 7 p.m.

The great performances continue on Sunday, May 21, with gospel music starting at 12 p.m., followed by sets from Violet Bell, NPR Tiny Desk winners Tank & The Bangas, and The Commonheart. Sunday evening headliner, Seratones, will begin their set at 6 p.m., to close out a great weekend at Artsplosure.

Kidsplosure opens in its new location at Fayetteville Street’s Market & Exchange Plazas at 11 a.m. on Saturday with special performances by Enloe Jazz Ambassadors, One Tribe Drum Circle and an array of local young talents from across the Triangle. As always, Kidsplosure will be filled with crafts and other interactive activities for children to enjoy and learn from!

A complete list of the full line-up of visual artists, special activities and music can be found at RaleighArtsFestival.com.