October 2026 | Foothills Plein Air Festival Edition

Hello, friends!

We have arrived at that most magical time of year, when the leaves put on their glorious autumn display, our favorite sweaters emerge from storage, and friends gather around fire pits to savor the crisp evening air. It is a season that invites us to slow down, look a little closer, and appreciate the beauty of the place we call home.

Here at Foothills Arts Center, autumn holds a special place in our hearts. Each October, artists from across the Southeast make their way to our corner of North Carolina for the Foothills Plein Air Festival, drawn by the natural beauty, rich history, and unmistakable character of our region.

Over five inspiring days, these artists will set up their easels in our state parks, vineyards, historic downtowns, and at beloved local landmarks, translating the landscapes and stories of our community into original works of art. There is something extraordinary about watching an artist capture a familiar place in a new way, reminding us to see the beauty in the world around us.

The celebration culminates on Sunday, October 18, with our fifth annual Fresh Paint Sale at Grassy Creek Vineyard. It is an afternoon of art, music, food, wine, and good company, and one of our favorite traditions of the year.

We hope you will gather your friends and family, spend a little time exploring, and join us in celebrating the artists who help us see our home through fresh eyes. After all, the best things in life are often the things we experience together.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dan Butner

FAC Executive Director

Sun. Oct. 18, noon - 6 pm | Foothills Plein Air Festival

Join us at Grassy Creek Vineyard for the exciting culmination of our week-long painting festival during the Fresh Paint Sale and Quick Paint Competition!

Collectors who make a donation of $20 or more receive early access to the Fresh Paint Sale from noon to 1 p.m. The sale then opens to the general public, free of charge, from 1 to 6 p.m.

From 2 to 4 p.m., watch our artists duel with their brushes during a lively two-hour Quick Paint Competition around the Red Barn Tasting Room.

Attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes for their favorite artist to receive the People’s Choice Award.

Awards will be announced at 6 p.m. by guest judge Elbert Shubert across seven prize categories.

Enjoy live music throughout the festival featuring Doug Davis, Joshua West, and Dean Driver, along with delicious eats from Drift Along Pizza and Street Food Sliders. And of course, the team in the Red Barn Tasting Room at Grassy Creek Vineyard will be pouring your favorite wines all day long.

Come for the art, stay for the music, food, wine, and fun!

Throughout the five-day festival, you’ll find artists capturing the beauty of our region at private locations, local vineyards, and scenic state parks. While reserved painting sessions are open to participating artists only, Saturday, October 17, is a wonderful opportunity to spot artists painting throughout downtown Elkin! You may also discover artists at the vineyards and parks listed above as they bring the beauty of the foothills to life on canvas.

Thank you to our event sponsors Surry TDA, Elkin TDA, Explore Elkin, Klondike Cabins, Three Trails, Cinder Ridge Farm, Kapps Mill Estate, and Derrill & Lori Rice.

Without their support the Foothills Plein Air Festival would not be possible. Our staff, board, and festival artists whole heartedly thank them for investing in our community!

IT’S JUST A JUMP TO THE LEFT… AND A STEP INTO HALLOWEEN!

🎶 Let’s do the Time Warp again! 🎶

Get ready to give yourself over to absolute pleasure as we bring the Sunset Movie Series to a deliciously spooky close with The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Golden Road Vineyards

119 Wine Way State Road, NC 28676
Friday, October 30, 7 pm

Come as you are, dress to impress, or show up in your most fabulous, outrageous, and gloriously weird costume! Whether you’re a Creature of the Night or just along for the ride, it’s going to be a Halloween night to remember.

So grab your fishnets, dust off that corset, practice your best “Dammit, Janet!” and join us for one last outdoor movie under the stars.

Don’t dream it. Be it!

A big thank you to Golden Road Vineyards, Grassy Creek Vineyard, Dobbins Creek Vineyards, Serre Vineyards, and Christian Paul Vineyards for partnering with us and a huge thank you to Explore Elkin for sponsoring the series!

Reserve your FREE ticket so we can tailor amenities based on expected attendance.

Foothills School of Violin-Making

The current 18-week semester began on August 11th, but it’s not too late to join the fun. This class typically has a wait list, but one student will be finishing their violin-making journey this month, so you could fill their spot!

If you’re interested in joining the class, email us today at info@foothillsarts.org

Foothills Clayworks

Full clay semesters will return once we’re back in the main facility. In the meantime, our satellite studio is still active, offering open studio time for continuing students.

Traditional Woodworking

Woodworking classes will resume with the reopening of the main center. The program is built, ready, and just waiting on the building to catch up.

And More on the Way

Once we’re fully back on site, we’re excited to keep expanding.

Glassblowing, metalsmithing, and animation are already in various stages of development—so if you don’t see your dream class yet… we’re working on it!

There is something especially rewarding about watching an old building begin to stir back to life, and we have plenty of good news to share from the Foothills Arts Center!

Window restoration is officially underway! Our 84-year-old windows are in remarkably good shape, but a little care now will help preserve them for generations to come. Fortunately, we have some expert help. Sam Stark, our future glassblowing instructor, spent his summers restoring windows on Cape Cod and is now sharing that experience with us. We hope to eventually turn this work into a hands-on class, giving our community an opportunity to learn traditional restoration skills while helping preserve this remarkable historic building. What better way to bring new life to an old place than by learning how to care for it together?

We also have encouraging news on the building’s infrastructure. Power has now been restored throughout nearly the entire building, with only the attic and east stairwell remaining. Work on those areas is underway, and since our last update, electricity has been restored to the gallery, auditorium, and Clayworks. Each new space brought back online brings us one step closer to welcoming everyone home.

Speaking of welcoming everyone home, our gallery, The Foothills Craft Center, is prepped and ready for new artwork, and our artist studios are clean and waiting for their occupants. We are eager to see these spaces filled once again with artists, students, creativity, and the wonderful hum of activity that makes an arts center feel alive.

Upstairs, the lease agreement for the Sensorium Children’s Museum has reached its final draft stage. We look forward to seeing this new partnership take shape and to the possibilities it brings for creative learning in our community.

And finally, mark your calendars! Our planned Grand Reopening alongside Light Up Elkin on Friday, December 4, remains on schedule. There is still much work to do between now and then, but with every restored window, every newly energized room, and every completed task, we can see that day drawing closer.

Thank you for your patience, encouragement, and continued belief in what this building can become. Restoring a historic landmark is rarely a straight path, but we are making progress, and it is wonderful to be able to share that progress with you.

We cannot wait to welcome you back!

Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Reach out to us anytime at info@foothillsarts.org

For event, program, and facility updates between newsletters follow us on Facebook and Instagram.