Part of the appeal of Brevard, North Carolina is that it’s a small town nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. Smalls town hold a lot of charm and a quieter life style that many people are looking for. So you might be thinking that living in a small town means giving up arts and culture. When you live in Brevard, nothing could be further from the truth.

Fact is, Brevard has more art galleries per square mile than any small town in western North Carolina and rivals towns twice its size when it comes to things to see and do. Whether it is pottery or painting, weaving or sculpture, the arts community in Brevard is home to a host of creative talent.

Sculpture Tour – Around Brevard you’ll find 17 different sculptures depicting a variety of animals that we share our area with including panther, bear, squirrels, and more. It’s a walking tour that you can do on your own and at your own pace. It’s a great way to discover art in some unexpected places and get to know Brevard at the same time.

Gallery Walk – From April through December, the 4th Friday of each month is known as Gallery Walk in downtown Brevard. The art galleries and the merchants stay open late to welcome visitors.  There’s music in many locations and many offer wine and snacks to enjoy as you stroll from store to store visiting with artists and merchants.  Gallery Walk is one of my favorite things to do, especially in the spring and fall. I always run into lots of people I know and we usually end up at one of our favorite downtown restaurants for dinner afterwards.

Scenic 276 Art Corridor – Hwy 276 is a winding mountain road that leads you south out of Brevard and into South Carolina.  When you travel that way, be sure to stop into one of many pottery galleries and art galleries to enjoy some of the best craftsmanship in the Appalachian area.  Some of the galleries also offer classes if you want to get more in touch with your own inner artist.

Paul Porter Center – Located on the campus of Brevard College, the Porter Center plays hosts to an impressive array of performances.  The acoustics and intimate setting makes it ideal for musical performances, dance, theater, or educational presentations.

Brevard Music Center – The highlight of every summer here in Brevard is the summer music festival at the Brevard Music Center.  Students from around the world travel to Brevard to learn and be inspired. This year, there were over 80 performances including opera, chamber, orchestra, and guest performances.  We happened to see Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert this year, but other greats like Yo Yo Mah also grace the stage every year. For seven weeks for the past 78 years the Brevard Music Center has been the highlight of the summer.

There is a lot to love about Brevard that involves the natural beauty of the mountains and waterfalls that are part of every day life.  The rich, vibrant arts community captures all that and more in clay, on paper, in fiber, and in the sound of music. We invite you to come discover the art of living in Brevard.