During the month of April, Lake Norman is dedicated to the celebration of the arts. With a plethora of creative influences in the area, this month has become a vibrant tribute to culture, creativity, and artistic expression.

In Davidson, the commemoration spans the entire month and culminates during the weekend of April 24-26. Over the weekend, the town comes alive with many exciting events focused on the arts. The Gallery Crawl and Art on the Green are the largest annual multi-artist festivals in North Mecklenburg. Taking place on the Davidson Village Green, these events showcase artist exhibits, demonstrations, food, and live music.

The Gallery Crawl

Downtown Davidson becomes a canvas of the local artist community on Friday, April 24 from 6-9pm. From historic Main Street to South Main Street, local businesses, galleries, and the Town Hall transform into pop-up exhibition spaces featuring artwork from talented regional artists. As you stroll through town, you'll have the chance to meet artists, learn about their creative mindset, and experience Davidson's walkable downtown in an interactive way.

Restaurants and shops stay open late during the evening, making it easy to turn the crawl into a full night out. Discover new creations around every corner as downtown stays lively. You'll end up staying longer than planned. 

April is for Arts
Town of Davidson
April is for Arts
Town of Davidson

Art on the Green

Art on the Green is one of the most popular events of the weekend, drawing thousands of visitors to the Davidson Village Green! Attendees can explore booths filled with artwork while listening to live music concerts. It's a great opportunity to support local talent, grab a bite from food vendors on the green, and visit the surrounding restaurants in the area.

More than 30 artists from the Lake Norman region, North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine will showcase and sell their work across a variety of mediums including sculptures, watercolor, photography, wood, glass, and ceramics.

The event runs twice. Saturday, April 25 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 26 from noon-4pm. 

Concerts on the Green

As part of the April is for Arts celebration, live music takes center stage with Concerts on the Green on Sunday, April 26 from 6-8pm. Held on the Town Green, this free outdoor concert features a performance by the Davidson College Symphony & Orchestra, kicking off Spring. Bring a blanket or picnic and experience how live performance adds another layer to Davidson's vibrant arts scene. 

concerts on the green
Town of Davidson


Other Places to Find Art

Davidson College

Davidson College is home to a wide array of artwork showcased all across their campus! The Van Every/Smith galleries features a diverse mix of exhibitions and collections, offering visitors the chance to observe and appreciate art in many forms. With rotating exhibitions, permanent collections, and educational programming, this gallery serves as a vibrant hub of artistic activity. 

The permanent collection alone encompasses over 4,000 works spanning five centuries. On April 22, attendees can enjoy the Herb Jackson Annual Student Art Show, featuring work by Davidson College art majors dating all the way back to 2007. 

Don't forget about their sculpture gallery! Step outside and explore Richardson Plaza, where you'll find breathtaking sculptures and works of art woven throughout the landscape. "With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited," is the newest sculpture honoring the individuals whose labor helped shape the college's history. It's a must-see piece that brings new perspective to Davidson's art scene!

 

 

Copy of Davidson College Sculpture

Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Town of Cornelius

'Tawba Walk Arts and Music Festival

April 25 is the 'Tawba Walk Arts and Music Festival. Taking place at the Oak Street Mill, the walk is an immersive event that winds its way through the center of Cornelius. Showcasing numerous local vendors and live street performances, it displays the finest offerings of Cornelius and its surroundings. They also have shopping and dining options as well. The festival is a fan favorite amongst families looking for a fun day out while exploring art.

In Huntersville, take a stroll through Holbrook Park and admire the SculpTOURs on display. There are six different sculptures in the park, five of them from North Carolina artists. Holbrook's artwork has helped bring new life and uniqueness into the park. If you're a fan of the arts, it's a must-see when in Huntersville.

Discovery Place Kids is home to an interactive exhibit allowing kids to create their own masterpieces. Have you seen pendulum paintings on your social media feeds? Why not try to make one yourself on April 11! It's all about getting hands-on and a little messy, so be sure to bring an extra pair of clothes!

Discovery Place Kids
Arts for All Studio & Gallery
Arts for All Studio & Gallery

Fosters Frame & Art Gallery is a locally owned studio featuring rotating exhibits of limited edition artwork from regional and national artists. Beyond the walls of framed pieces, visitors can also browse the section of antiques, collectibles, and decorative items throughout the shop, making it easy to take home a piece that speaks to you personally. 

Looking to put your art skills to work? All throughout April, Arts for All is hosting classes and events for all ages to spark your creativity. Bring yourself or your kids to crochet, paint, and knit while enjoying a fun, welcoming environment that anyone can enjoy!

For people with a creative spark, Cornelius is home to Drawn2Art, a studio focused on building strong artistic foundations through step-by-step instructions. Students will begin learning how to truly see art, breaking down objects into shapes, understanding and mastering proportions to make a beautiful pieces you'll be proud to hang at home.

From still life and portraits to landscapes and animation-style drawings, each lesson is designed to build skill in an approachable way. They'll be capable of color mixing, layering, and creating depth to achieve 3D results. Your kids will grow their abilities while gaining confidence and a sense of accomplishment along the way. All age groups are welcome-sign up for a free intro class today!

Drawn2Art
Drawn2Art Studio

April in Lake Norman region bursts with artistic energy and cultural offerings. From gallery crawls to sculptures, there's an abundance of creativity to explore.  We'd love to see what creativity you found around Lake Norman by tagging @visitlakenorman on Instagram and Facebook. Don't forget to leave us a review on Tripadvisor, too!