40 Years of Artspace
Four decades of inspiring creativity, supporting artists, and enriching our community through the power of art. Since 1986, we’ve grown from a small grassroots effort into a vibrant hub for artistic expression, education, and collaboration in the heart of North Carolina’s capital.
This site is a living, growing piece of our archives and will be updated throughout the year with new stories and perspectives. If you have memories or stories to share, let us know by filling out our story form!
Anniversary Events
You are invited to an immersive dining experience, drawing inspiration from the work of Jo-Ann Morgan and the legacy of Artspace, designed in collaboration with Chopped Champion Chef Adé Carrena.
40th Anniversary Workshop — Creative Connection and Artmaking
Saturday, April 18, 1pm (free)
Participate in a graphic artmaking session to help us capture the significance (or poetic sentiments) of Artspace to our community. We’ll teach you how to use expressive and graphic typography and hand-lettering—no prior artistic experience needed. All materials are provided.
Open to the public.
40th Anniversary Workshop — Past Artists
Friday, June 5, 3pm (free)
Participate in a graphic artmaking session to help us capture the significance (or poetic sentiments) of Artspace to our community. Plus, meet other artists from Artspace’s history, look through our archives, and participate in a video interview.
Open to past studio and resident artists of Artspace. RSVP required.
Art Bash - 40th Anniversary Edition
Saturday, November 14, 6pm
Join us for a spectacular night out on the town commemorating four decades of artistic risk-taking, community building, and cultural impact at Artspace.
Art Bash 2026 includes gallery exhibitions, private and live collecting opportunities, art experiences, and gourmet bites, and a curated live art bid.
Our History
Since 1986 we have served the citizens of Raleigh from a historic building in the cobblestone-lined streets of the City Market neighborhood. To fully understand the history of Artspace, we must also look at the history of this building.
1911
The 30,000 square foot building that now houses Artspace was originally built as the City of Raleigh’s livery stable.
The building later became the Sanders Ford Car Dealership which used the building to sell and repair cars. The dealership remained in the building until 1969 when it was vacated for another location.
1980
A group of community leaders envisions an arts center and “cultural corridor” in Downtown Raleigh. With this vision, they approach the City of Raleigh for support.
The Raleigh Arts Commission establishes the “Art Space Subcommittee” Task Force to explore the need and interest in a multipurpose art facility.
1981
Artspace incorporates and receives endorsements from the Raleigh Arts Commission, the Downtown Advisory Board and Raleigh Mayor, Smedes York. In 1982, Artspace gained its non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
1986
Artspace opens to the public (with 23 studios occupied by 32 artists) with over 1,500 people in attendance. Artspace is the pioneer organization in the City Market area and is a major influence on the redevelopment efforts in downtown Raleigh.
1990
Artspace collaborates with the City Gallery of Contemporary Art to launch the “First Friday Gallery Walk”, which continues to bring large numbers of people to downtown Raleigh the first Friday of each month.
The same year, Artspace debuts its Summer Arts Program. The program allows for youth to participate in the creative process with professional artists and art instructors.
2000
Artspace launches its Regional Emerging Artist Residency with inaugural resident artist André Leon Gray.
This program continues today, now called the North Carolina Emerging Artist Residency as we’ve welcomed artists from outside the Triangle.
2005
Artspace’s Board and CEO, Mary Poole, vote to purchase the building.
After a year of negotiations with the city, Artspace acquires ownership of the building, marking its sustainability as an organization and permanence in Downtown Raleigh.
2012
Artspace opened its first pop-up satellite location in North Hills, later followed by more pop-ups at HQ Raleigh and RTP Foundation.
2014
2019
Artspace begins the Universal Access Artist Residency, providing a short-term residency each year to an artist with a disability. The inaugural Universal Access Artist in Residence was Katie Shaw.
The residency was made possible through the actions of past Operations + Finance Manager, Megan Sullivan, who received The Betty Siegel Universal Access + the Arts Award; which recognizes the substantial achievements of Arts Learning Community for Universal Access members who complete all three years of the program.
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the building temporarily closes to the public. Staff and artists work behind the scenes to launch virtual classes and artist talks, and small-group creative programming to combat the isolation of the pandemic.
2021
Artspace reopens to the public and rebuilds staff capacity to design and enhance inclusive programming. After a national search, Artspace also welcomes a new President + CEO, Carly Jones.
2023
Artspace creates the HBCU Artist Residency with inaugural resident, Jalen Jackson.
The HBCU Artist Residency provides one HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) graduate each year with a stipend, studio space, professional development, and a solo exhibition to support their career as an artist.
2024
Artspace launches Artspace on the Go, a mobile art van that brings high-quality artist-led art education to underserved populations.
Since its launch, the program has reached more than 4500 people!
2026
Artspace looks to the future with a new strategic plan and refreshed mission and vision statements while celebrating its 40 years of history.
Help us celebrate! Share your Artspace story.
1911
The 30,000 square foot building that now houses Artspace was originally built as the City of Raleigh’s livery stable.
The building later became the Sanders Ford Car Dealership which used the building to sell and repair cars. The dealership remained in the building until 1969 when it was vacated for another location.
1980
A group of community leaders envisions an arts center and “cultural corridor” in Downtown Raleigh. With this vision, they approach the City of Raleigh for support.
The Raleigh Arts Commission establishes the “Art Space Subcommittee” Task Force to explore the need and interest in a multipurpose art facility.
1981
Artspace incorporates and receives endorsements from the Raleigh Arts Commission, the Downtown Advisory Board and Raleigh Mayor, Smedes York. In 1982, Artspace gained its non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
1986
Artspace opens to the public (with 23 studios occupied by 32 artists) with over 1,500 people in attendance. Artspace is the pioneer organization in the City Market area and is a major influence on the redevelopment efforts in downtown Raleigh.
1990
Artspace collaborates with the City Gallery of Contemporary Art to launch the “First Friday Gallery Walk”, which continues to bring large numbers of people to downtown Raleigh the first Friday of each month.
The same year, Artspace debuts its Summer Arts Program. The program allows for youth to participate in the creative process with professional artists and art instructors.
2000
Artspace launches its Regional Emerging Artist Residency with inaugural resident artist André Leon Gray.
This program continues today, now called the North Carolina Emerging Artist Residency as we’ve welcomed artists from outside the Triangle.
2005
Artspace’s Board and CEO, Mary Poole, vote to purchase the building.
After a year of negotiations with the city, Artspace acquires ownership of the building, marking its sustainability as an organization and permanence in Downtown Raleigh.
2012
Artspace opened its first pop-up satellite location in North Hills, later followed by more pop-ups at HQ Raleigh and RTP Foundation.
2014
The first artist Critique Series was led by arts consultant Heather Allen and Artspace Director of Programs and Exhibitions Shana Garr.
Critique nights have evolved to be led by the studio artists and are inclusive of all Artspace members.
2019
Artspace begins the Universal Access Artist Residency, providing a short-term residency each year to an artist with a disability. The inaugural Universal Access Artist in Residence was Katie Shaw.
The residency was made possible through the actions of past Operations + Finance Manager, Megan Sullivan, who received The Betty Siegel Universal Access + the Arts Award; which recognizes the substantial achievements of Arts Learning Community for Universal Access members who complete all three years of the program.
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the building temporarily closes to the public. Staff and artists work behind the scenes to launch virtual classes and artist talks, and small-group creative programming to combat the isolation of the pandemic.
2021
Artspace reopens to the public and rebuilds staff capacity to design and enhance inclusive programming. After a national search, Artspace also welcomes a new President + CEO, Carly Jones.
2023
Artspace creates the HBCU Artist Residency with inaugural resident, Jalen Jackson.
The HBCU Artist Residency provides one HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) graduate each year with a stipend, studio space, professional development, and a solo exhibition to support their career as an artist.
2024
Artspace launches Artspace on the Go, a mobile art van that brings high-quality artist-led art education to underserved populations.
Since its launch, the program has reached more than 4500 people!
2026
Artspace looks to the future with a new strategic plan and refreshed mission and vision statements while celebrating its 40 years of history.
Help us celebrate! Share your Artspace story.
A Space for All
Thank you to the NC State Fall 2025 Art of the State class for creating this video!
Your Stories
Through the summer camps, I’ve been able to rekindle my love for teaching young children. It brings me joy to see them express themselves through visual art, building confidence and self-esteem while simply having fun.
I was one of the original artists starting Artspace in 1986. Artspace meant so much to my development as an artist and I really enjoyed my 20 years there. I especially loved the interaction and exposure to the public. Through that exposure I gained valuable gallery representation and made many sales, both corporate and private.
When I was in high school, I visited Artspace on First Fridays. It was like walking into an artistic wonderland. Seeing the variety of art and meeting the artists behind the work will always be inspiring to me.
Share your story here for the chance to be featured on our website and social media!
Artspace has really showed me the value of surrounding yourself with art. I feel like it creates deep thinking, wonder and curosity. My son has been exposed to art his entire life and it shows in his freedom of creativity and thinking.
I love how my journey with Artspace grew and changed over so many years. From walking in the galleries during lunch to taking classes… then meeting artists and celebrating art at events.
The foundation of the strong artist community that I am a part of now really began at Artspace, and I can't thank them enough for that.
Residency at Artspace has been a truly invaluable experience for me, allowing me to expand in my concepts and ideas, to develop a really strong body of work while reaching out into the community
Artspace was a big part of my childhood, and my life now. Growing up I went to many Artspace summer programs, and am proud to say it made a positive impact in the artist I became.
Artspace provided a beautiful exhibition opportunity for my daughter (who is a recent high school graduate) and I to exhibit our work publicly for the first time through the FRESH show. During her first exhibition she also sold a painting! It was a very celebratory moment for us both and has led to us submitting our work to other galleries too.
My Artspace story is entwined with memories as a middle school kid in their summer camp program. Under the guidance of teaching artists I experimented with materials and processes in ways I wouldn’t otherwise have been exposed to at that time— photography, stuffed animal creatures, chair painting… and a collaborative wall mural were among many meaningful experiences I had.
As a student in Raleigh, I attended a collage art class at Artspace that would quietly shape the trajectory of my creative life. Years later, as the Founder of the Raleigh Film and Art Festival, curating exhibitions and creating platforms for emerging voices, I often think about that studio at Artspace.
Artspace has been a long-time anchor for the artistic process in downtown Raleigh. My high school art teacher brought us on a field trip here in the early 1990s, and I brought my own students here 10 years later. I would walk to Artspace from Peace College as a student and would always leave more inspired and motivated to make art.
When I began participating in the art community in 2023, I had a goal to exhibit my photography in art galleries like Artspace. Within a year of that goal, I exhibited in the In Kind show and the FRESH show, with my art making it into the juried portion. I have also exhibited in galleries across the Triangle and even hosted 2 solo exhibitions. This would not have been possible without Artspace.
Artspace provided more than just four walls to make work in. It offered space to experiment, visibility within the local community, and a network that continuously challenged me to level up both creatively and professionally.
Artspace has been such an amazing experience. It has pushed me to consistently practice my craft, to interact with the community, and to boost my confidence.