49th Annual Centerfest Arts Festival: Arts, Food & Fun – In The Heart Of Downtown Durham
DURHAM, NC— The Durham Arts Council is excited to announce the 49th Annual CenterFest Arts Festival on September 21-22, 2024. The event will showcase 110 carefully selected fine art and craft artists from North Carolina and beyond. Attendees can look forward to music and entertainment on four stages featuring 60 performing groups and a Beer Garden. Families can enjoy the Family Fun Zone, which will offer hands-on art activities and rides. Additionally, there will be a variety of local food trucks and festival food favorites, along with a showcase of non-profits, government services, sponsors, and community organizations.
This incredible lineup of visual artists, performers, and community will entertain, delight, and inspire a projected 30,000 visitors. Hours are Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. CenterFest is located in the heart of downtown Durham on the City Center streets surrounding the Durham Arts Council at 120 Morris St., Durham, NC. Admission is free, and a $5 suggested donation is welcomed to support the festival and the arts in Durham. More information is at www.durhamarts.org/centerfest or 919-560-2787.
CenterFest Is North Carolina’s Top Fine Arts Festival
Breaking News!!! — CenterFest has been named one of the Top 200 U.S. Arts Festivals, the #1 Fine Arts Festival in North Carolina, and the #22 nationally out of thousands of arts festivals across the United States.
(rankings by Sunshine Artist Magazine by participating festival artists across the U.S.)
CenterFest is also North Carolina’s longest-running juried outdoor fine arts festival. The festival not only provides a joyful way for our community to come together to celebrate the arts but also provides essential revenue for artists,” stated Sherry DeVries, Durham Arts Council Executive Director.
CenterFest 2024 Highlights
Visual Artists
The 110 featured artists selected in 2024 represent seven states, including 55 artists from North Carolina and 37 artists from the Durham/Triangle area. In 2024, 16 new artists have joined the roster, all showcasing works in a broad array of disciplines such as painting, photography, clay, drawing, fiber, glass, printmaking, wood, jewelry, mixed media, and sculpture. This diverse range of artistic styles and mediums offers a rich cultural experience, inspiring seasoned art enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Visual artist information: https://durhamarts.org/2024/07/27/centerfest-visual-artists-2024/
Three distinguished fine arts judges will select the Visual Artist merit award winners to receive $2,800 in cash awards and other prizes for Best In Show, First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and Best Durham Artist. Judges include Tamar Harris Warren with the NC Museum of History, Annah Lee, the Creative Director of Artspace, and Katherine Nielsen of Jewelsmith.
CenterFest 2024 Durham Coca-Cola “Citizens Choice Award”
Festival-goers are invited to pick their favorite CenterFest Visual Artist for a chance to win prizes in the CenterFest 2024 Citizens Choice Award contest, sponsored by Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Voting/Entry Forms will be available at all CenterFest Information Booths and at CenterFest Visual Artist booths. The Citizens Choice Award will be presented to the winning artist at noon on Sunday at the festival. Prizes include DPAC tickets, CenterFest T-shirts, and Coca-Cola beverages.
Performing Artists
CenterFest 2024 Entertainment Committee has selected a great line-up of 60 performing groups, providing 14 hours of music, dance, and entertainment on four stages.
This year’s lineup includes Diane Carter, Ricardo Diquez & the Tropic Orchestra, Acisse Jay, Walltown Children’s Theatre, Laasha Indian dance, Batala drum ensemble, and the Bouncing Bulldogs, to name just a few.
More Performer information:
https://durhamarts.org/2024/08/21/2024-centerfest-performers/
Food and Beverage and CenterFest Beer Garden
CenterFest features a variety of classic festival foods and local food trucks sure to satisfy anyone’s appetite – including burgers, bratwursts, Gyros, barbeque, seafood, and Latin American cuisine, plus homemade ice cream, Italian ice, popcorn, and candy. CenterFest also features a Beer Garden in partnership with Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub. Coca-Cola product booths, sponsored and donated by Durham Coca-Cola, will be present throughout the festival.
Durham Rotary Club Partnership
The Rotary Club of Durham is a Sponsor of CenterFest and is providing Rotary Club member volunteers to assist CenterFest at the festival gates and Coke booths. The motto of the Rotary Club of Durham is “Serving Humanity,” with members who are “People of Action.” The club is part of Rotary International, the global network of more than 1.2 million members committed to creating positive and lasting change in our communities and around the world. With over 200 members, the local Durham club partners with local organizations to do service projects, especially focused on Youth, Literacy, Hunger, and Community Development, in addition to international projects for water and sanitation.
Bike Parking Area
CenterFest provides an area for bike parking with bike racks.
Family Fun Zone
Get crafty at the DAC Make N’ Take tent at the Family Fun Zone! Make your own works of art to take home – activities are perfect for all ages. Learn more about DAC programs, including classes, camps, and more. Family Fun Zone-
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- Ninth St. Bakery Lot @ Festival Center
- Visit the Walmart Style Tour
- Check out Gus McGee Book Co.
- Paint Savvy Face Painting
- Fun Kids Rides for a minimal fee
- Enjoy Coco-Crissi Italian Ices & Durham Coca-Cola Beverages
CenterFest Sponsors
CenterFest is presented and produced by the Durham Arts Council with support from 26 official festival sponsors, including:
Presenting Sponsor: SciMed of Durham
WonderBull Sponsors: Duke Arts, Rivers Agency, and Walmart
Lovea-Bull Sponsors: Food Lion, Durham Coca-Cola Company, SPARK Productions, WRAL-5 Capital Broadcasting, WUNC 91.5, Neal Bradshaw & Taylor
Admira-Bull Sponsors: Durham Magazine, The North Carolina Songwriters Co-Op, DPAC, Lightbridge Academy, Unleashed, Trosa, Mariott, Unscripted Hotel
Enjoya-Bull Sponsors: Downtown Durham Inc., Rotary Club of Durham, Aura Fifty4/509, Bull McCabes Irish Pub
More Sponsor Information: https://durhamarts.org/2024/08/21/centerfest-sponsors-2024/
Donations and Sponsorships welcome: CENTERFEST DONATION – SECURE LINK
CenterFest information at: www.durhamarts.org/centerfest or call 919-560-2787
About Durham Arts Council
The Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and local arts agency dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the entire Triangle Region in North Carolina and has served the community since 1954. Each year, DAC serves nearly 400,000 visitors and program participants, over 2,000 artists, and more than 300 arts and cultural organizations through classes, artist residencies, exhibits, festivals, grants programs, technical support, arts advocacy, and information services.
Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community. For more information, call 919.560.ARTS or visit our website at www.durhamarts.org
Photos: Courtesy of Durham Arts Council