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.
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 (paid)
- Moore Square Parking Deck located at 233 S. Wilmington Street (free)
- City Center Red Hat Parking Deck located at 429 S. Wilmington Street (free)
Accessibility
We’ll have a sensory-friendly indoor chill zone available all day (with dim lighting, calming music, fidget toys, and more).
Please note that Blake Street contains cobblestones in the center of the street, which may be difficult to navigate with mobility aids. Use the sidewalks if needed.
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
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
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!
Social Block
- Dance to beats by DJ Terminator X
- Meet our community partners and play lawn games
- Enjoy pop-up performances
Food Truck Block
Inside Artspace
- Stroll through free exhibitions with work by Tyler Starr, Ellen Lindner, Gabriele DiTota, and Melissa Huang!
- Meet and shop with our 25+ studio artists
- Chill out in our sensory-friendly space
Nearby Artspace
- Grab a Sip n’ Stroll drink from participating businesses
- Eat at City Market restaurants and shop with City Market retailers
Shop with 50+ Vendors
Art Experiences
Watch the process of a mural artist in real time as Sarahlaine paints an original design on the Artspace building!
Purchase a plain t-shirt and get it printed with a limited-edition design from printmaker Zaire!
Artist Demos
Watch the artists at work and try out your hand at these unique art forms!
- Printmaking with Tessa Dahlmann
- Fiber Arts with Patrizia Ferreira
- Graffiti with Morgan Cook
- Metalwork with Hsiang-Ting Yen
- Paper Making with Sarah Ann Austin
- Custom Shoes with Cristian Padilla
Community Partners
Learn about arts, cultural, and community resources from our partners at Arts on the Block!
Social Block
Listen to beats from DJ Terminator X, a DJ and music producer best known as the original DJ of the rap group Public Enemy.
Terminator X has released two solo albums, was inducted along with Public Enemy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has been nominated for four Grammy awards.
Plus, pop-up performances from:
Raffle
Enter to win a painting by master pastel artist Jim Hallenbeck and a $50 Downtown Raleigh gift card to spend at 80+ participating businesses!
Anyone who donates (in any amount) to Artspace’s Scholarship Fund this week (April 12-19) will be automatically entered in the raffle.
Each year, thanks to our generous donors, we can offer up to 60 scholarships for families with financial need to attend our Summer Art Program. Scholarships cover 90% of the cost of a week of summer classes, including a free, healthy lunch each day.
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
Arts + Cultural Partners
Learn about arts and cultural resources in the Triangle with our partner organizations!
Creativity Block Sponsored By
Community Partners
Meet our partner community organizations!
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
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:
- $5 local drafts at Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill
- $5 16-oz margaritas and drafts at El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
- Spin the Deal Wheel at White Bridal Boutique for a chance to win deals including $500 off a wedding dress, or a free veil
- 10% off your total purchase at Mazahua Azteca
- 10% off your total purchase at El Toro Loco Taqueria
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:
- $50 in gift certificates to MOFU Shoppe
- $50 in gift certificates to Sir Walter Coffee
- $25 in gift certificates to Unleashed
- $15 in gift certificates to Amorino Gelato
- A variety of local gifts from DECO Raleigh
- TowneBank swag
- Artspace T-Shirt
