Arts on the Block graphic in pink and yellow

Arts on the Block 2026

Saturday, April 18, 12-5pm

Historic City Market, Downtown Raleigh

FREE!

Join Artspace for our 2nd annual Arts on the Block—a block party for all ages celebrating the power of community and visual art. Historic City Market and Davie Street will come alive with local DJs, hands-on artist-led demonstrations, art exhibitions, make + take activities, and a special installation. Shop and eat local with 30 artisan vendors, City Market retail stores and restaurants, and guest food trucks while exploring visual art.

Funds raised during Arts on the Block will support Artspace’s mission to provide accessible art exhibitions, affordable studio spaces, career-building artist residencies, low and no-cost art education programs, and community events. 

Arts on the Block map

Parking

  • For information on accessible parking spaces, visit: https://raleighnc.gov/parking/services/find-parking-downtown/ada-parking 
  • City Market Parking Lot located at 228 E Martin Street
  • Moore Square Parking Deck located at 233 S. Wilmington Street
  • City Center Red Hat Parking Deck located at 429 S. Wilmington Street
  • Blount Street Parking Deck located at 314 Blount Street 

Accessibility

Explore our accessibility resources here.

Read our Know Before You Go guide to learn what to expect at a visit to Artspace.

Arts on the Block Experiences

Vendor and customer laugh at an outdoor stall with t-shirts, magnets, stickers, and other designs

Market Block

  • Our juried vendor market will fill Davie Street and Blake Street
  • Shop for local goods and gifts with 50+ artisan vendors from across the Triangle
  • Eat and drink local with food vendors, drinks, and surrounding City Market restaurants
Woman spins a pot on a pottery wheel while three little girls point and reach for the pot

Creativity Block

  • Participate in hands on artist-led demos
  • Enjoy make + take activities for creatives of all ages
  • Engage with our art & cultural partners
  • Watch a live mural painting with Sarahlaine Calva!
  • Screen print an Arts on the Block t-shirt with Zaire Miles-Moultrie!
teen girl hula hooping outside in City Market

Social Block

  • Dance to beats by DJ Terminator X
  • Meet our community partners and play lawn games
  • Enjoy pop-up performances
Woman explores exhibition of ceramic vessels in Artspace

Inside Artspace

street view of vendor market at Arts on the Block with white tents lining both sides of the street

Nearby Artspace

Art Experiences

Young woman kneels next to her mural of an eye surrounded by bold colorful lines and shapes

Watch the process of a mural artist in real time as Sarahlaine paints an original design on the Artspace building!

Artist Zaire Miles-Moultrie leads a woman in a screenprinting activity

Purchase a plain t-shirt and get it printed with a limited-edition design from printmaker Zaire!

Community Partners

Learn about arts, cultural, and community resources from our partners at Arts on the Block!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Community Champions

Clark + Laura Rinehart

City Market Friends

Thank you to our sponsors!

Community Champions

Clark + Laura
Rinehart

City Market Friends

Creativity Block

Artist Demos

Learn a new art form with a hands-on demo from one of our participating artists!

11am - 1:30pm

2-4:30pm

Paper Pulp with Sarah Ann Austin

Wheel Ceramics with Mary Parker

Screen Printing with Zaire Miles-Moultrie

Crochet/Weaving with Linette Knight

Graffiti with Morgan Cook

Printmaking with Alanah Reid

Handbuilding Ceramics with Oami Powers

Mosaics with Carlos Gonzalez

Social Block

DJs + Music

11am-12pm

Sensory-friendly hour

No amplified music

12-2:30pm

photo of Gemynii

Music by Gemynii

2:30-5pm

photo of DJ Rhymic

Music by DJ Rhymic

Art Installation

Explore and take a picture with our giant textile installation, designed by Studio Artist Michelle Wilkie and Sip + Stitch participants!

Installation Sponsored By

photo of Michelle Wilkie holding multicolored quilt
Colorful sheer decorative flags

Food Truck Block

Featured Food Trucks + Food Vendors

Food Truck Block Sponsored By

Drinks

Enjoy a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages at our two drink stations!

Drink Station Sponsored By

City Market Experiences

All-day discounts:

Downtown Goodies Raffle

Purchase a Neighborhood Goodies Raffle ticket for $5. This basket (worth over $250) contains a variety of goodies from local businesses and supporters, plus an Artspace T-Shirt! All proceeds go towards Artspace’s free community events.

The basket includes: 

photo of raffle basket