County of Creativity: Discover the Thriving Surry County, NC, Art Scene
Catching a lively bluegrass band at a downtown restaurant on a Wednesday after work. Seeing a favorite movie at a historic theater on a Thursday. Picking out a locally made piece of pottery from a gallery on Friday, then watching a famous singer-songwriter do a heartfelt set at an intimate music hall. Taking a crochet workshop from a visiting world-class fiber artist on a Saturday. Attending a glassblowing open studio on a Sunday, a community jam session on Monday and a public art walk on Tuesday.
In many places, this packed itinerary would require hours of tedious planning and miles of driving. In Surry County, it’s just another ordinary week.
Here, “the arts” isn’t just a phrase or an abstract concept. It’s an active way of life that locals get to feel, see, hear and touch every day. And with more professional crafters and independent artisans finding their way to the region, the momentum driving the Surry County, NC, art scene continues to accelerate.
All Art Forms Welcome
Located between the Piedmont and mountain regions of North Carolina and positioned directly along the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, Surry County possesses a proud creative heritage and a prime geographical location for visitors and artists alike.
“We have an extremely active arts community for an area this size,” says Tanya Jones, executive director of the Surry County Arts Council. “People who want to breathe fresh air and feel safe and enjoy the arts in a smaller place are drawn here.”
While other arts destinations may have a fixed focus on a certain medium they’re well known for, Surry County benefits from an openness to a wide array of crafts and creators.
“Throughout Surry County, there are so many different types of artisans,” says Leslie Schlender, economic development director for the Town of Elkin. “If you are a creative person and you bring in something that isn’t as common here, that’s welcomed and celebrated. The creative community is open and sharing rather than protective.”
In every corner of the county, you’ll find quilters and fiber artists working alongside potters, painters, glassblowers, musicians, woodworkers and luthiers.
In Mount Airy, the historic Earle Theatre isn’t just the proud site of the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall; it also hosts retro movies, national concerts and an open-invite community jam every Thursday night. In Elkin, the historic music venue The Reeves Theater & Cafe showcases touring singer-songwriters, while the Yadkin Valley Fiber Center hosts traveling global experts and weekly classes on the complex art of weaving.
“The Surry County Arts Council operates five venues, and three of those venues are open seven days a week, year-round,” Jones says. “We have had a huge focus since the beginning on our place-based assets, our people and engaging the youth. By exposing them to art now, we’re building audiences for the future.”
In addition to these constant creative offerings, special annual events like Elkin’s Milltown Get Down music festival and Mount Airy’s Summer Concert Series add even more energy to an already packed year-round cultural calendar.
The Great Creative Migration
With the cost of living in nearby cities like Asheville and Winston- Salem rising, many artists are finding their way to Surry County in search of affordability – and the community is happy to have them.
“Surry County is welcoming and inclusive,” Schlender says. “There are new people moving in who bring their experiences and skills and creativity from other places.”
When creatives arrive in Surry County, they find that affordability was only the tip of the iceberg. The pace and ease of life here also foster and support their artistic endeavors.
“When you base yourself in Surry County, there’s just so much more time to create and share,” Schlender says. “You’re not fighting traffic and trying to get from place to place. You get to truly immerse yourself in your art because our way of life is a little more easygoing.”
Something to Discover
Whether you are just visiting for a weekend, pondering a long-term relocation or a lifelong resident, the artistic energy and sense of discovery across the county are growing every day and remain accessible to all.
“The creative community in Surry County is excited to share and discover and be discovered,” Schlender says. “That’s how the whole county is, though. We are a wonderful secret excited to be discovered.”
Get to Know Surry County
Want to learn more about living and working in Surry County, NC? Check out the latest edition of Livability Surry County, North Carolina.