Welcome
Welcome to Art Swarm, Cary‘s first-ever regional event celebrating art makers and the art-making process. This coming September 3 - 7, the Fine Arts League of Cary is inviting studio artists, plein air artists, art instructors, and members of the public to the downtown Cary Arts District to join together in making, sharing, and enjoying the visual arts.
Registration Options
We hope you’ll catch the buzz and register to paint, exhibit, or take a workshop during Art Swarm! All participants will have access to the Art Swarm hospitality corner and restrooms, charging stations, and volunteer support at the Cary Arts Center during the entire event.
(And no registration is needed to drop in to the Open Studio, watch plein air painters on location, enjoy impromptu social gatherings, and attend the exhibition and awards ceremony that concludes Art Swarm.)
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Workshops
Sunday Funday
Schedule
View upcoming events, workshops, and creative gatherings.
Date | Start Time | End Time | Event | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep 3 (Wednesday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Plein air painting | Downtown Cary + surrounding areas | FREE |
Sep 3 (Wednesday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Open Studio | Cary Arts Center, Room M10 | FREE |
Sep 3 (Wednesday) | 9:00 AM | 1:30 PM | Registration check-in | Cary Arts Center | FREE |
Sep 3 (Wednesday) | 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM | Workshop: Watery Worlds: Painting with Acrylic Inks | Cary Arts Center, Principal’s Hall | $60 (Registration required) |
Sep 3 (Wednesday) | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Workshop: Portrait Painting Basics | Cary Arts Center, Principal’s Hall | $60 (Registration required) |
Sep 4 (Thursday) | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Workshop: Experiments in Mixed Media with Oil and Cold Wax | Cary Arts Center, Principal’s Hall | $60 (Registration required) |
Sep 4 (Thursday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Plein air painting | Downtown Cary + surrounding areas | FREE |
Sep 4 (Thursday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Open Studio | Cary Arts Center, Room M10 | FREE |
Sep 4 (Thursday) | 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM | Workshop: Zentangle | Cary Arts Center, Principal’s Hall | $60 (Registration required) |
Sep 4 (Thursday) | 9:00 AM | 1:30 PM | Registration check-in | Cary Arts Center | FREE |
Sep 5 (Friday) | 9:00 AM | 1:30 PM | Registration check-in (new arrivals get welcome packets) | Cary Arts Center | FREE |
Sep 5 (Friday) | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Workshop: The Impressionistic Landscape in Oil | Cary Arts Center, Principal’s Hall | $60 (Registration required) |
Sep 5 (Friday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Open Studio | Cary Arts Center, Room M10 | FREE |
Sep 5 (Friday) | 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM | Workshop: Pet Portraits | Cary Arts Center, Principal’s Hall | $60 (Registration required) |
Sep 5 (Friday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Plein air painting | Downtown Cary + surrounding areas | FREE |
Sep 6 (Saturday) | 9:00 AM | 1:30 PM | Registration check-in | Cary Arts Center | FREE |
Sep 6 (Saturday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Open Studio | Cary Arts Center, Room M10 | FREE |
Sep 6 (Saturday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Plein air painting | Downtown Cary + surrounding areas | FREE |
Sep 6 (Saturday) | 9:30 AM | 4:30 PM | Workshop: Urban Sketching: Finding the Story | Principal’s Hall (meets there before heading outside) | $120 (Registration required) |
Sep 7 (Sunday) | 3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Patrons Reception | Page-Walker Arts & History Center | $125.00 (Registration required) |
Sep 7 (Sunday) | 8:00 AM | 2:00 PM | Sidewalk Sale | Ashworth Village | FREE |
Sep 7 (Sunday) | 6:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Public Reception, Awards, and Opening of Exhibit | Page-Walker Arts & History Center | $5.00 (Registration required) |
Awards
$500
First Place
$300
Second Place
$100
Third Place
$50
Honorable mention (5)
Awards for exhibited work at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
(Plein Air: Exhibiting)
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What are the rules on selling your art at Art Swarm?Works exhibited at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center will be on display for sale during the week of September 7 - 15. All registered participants may sell their work from their easel or work table any time during the event. Artists registered for the Studio Experience may bring in work from home to be sold from their table. Sales will need to go through the FALC Point of Sale system with 25% of the sale price as commission for FALC. We are investigating the possibility of a pop-up sidewalk sale, but that is contingent on FALC finding a permitted place.
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When can I drop off and pick up exhibited artworkArtists selected for exhibition will need to drop off their work at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center on Saturday, September 6. The exact drop-off time will be communicated as the date approaches. All exhibited pieces must be picked up from the Page-Walker Arts & History Center on Monday, September 15 during designated pick-up hours (to be confirmed). Please make arrangements to deliver and collect your artwork during these times, as storage space is limited and late pick-up cannot be guaranteed.
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Where to stay?We are seeking affordable accommodations for our out-of-town registrants. If you live locally and would like to provide guest accommodations, please contact Tim Tietgen (timtietgenart@gmail.com) or Dini Edwards (PortraitsbyDini@gmail.com).
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How do I volunteer?We need volunteers! If you would be willing to help register participants at the registration table, receive art for the exhibition, help set up the receptions and awards, meet and greet, or other tasks for this event, please contact Tim Tietgen (timtietgenart@gmail.com) or Dini Edwards (PortraitsbyDini@gmail.com).
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