October 15, 2025

YORK COUNTY ARTS NEWS

Featured News

Schoolhouse Rocks

Remember the Lunch Line? Trade Your Tray for a Toast!

You're invited to Schoolhouse Rocks, an exclusive field trip and fundraising cocktail hour at the future home of our newest artist studios.

This is your chance to attend a "hard-hat chic" event before the renovations kick off. We're transforming the former elementary school cafeteria and kitchen into a pop-up cocktail lounge for one unforgettable evening.

Join us to see the potential firsthand, catch up with friends, and get an up-close look at the foundation of our creative future. Trade your milk money for a craft cocktail and help us lay the groundwork for a thriving new creative hub!

All funds raised support the ambitious renovation of this incredible space, directly creating affordable studio space for local artists.

Don't miss this unique "before" moment! Come rock out for art and be part of the blueprint of our dreams.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025

5:30 - 7:30 PM

Former Lesslie Elementary School

103 Schoolside Dr. | Unit 123 | Rock Hill, SC

RSVP

Free to attend. Donations accepted at the door.

SIGN YOUR PERMISSION SLIP

The Current

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Go Where The Story Flows: Tap Into The Current.

Feeling disconnected? The Current is your monthly wave of authentic, short-format storytelling. It's a powerful FREE night of curated speakers and open-mic voices that sparks true community connection.

October's theme: The Power of Voice.

Come listen, share, or simply be moved.

Catch The Current

Friday, October 17 | 6 – 8 PM

RIDE THE WAVE

New & Returning Youth Programming

Sketching Stories

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Secret Ingredient for a Smarter Saturday? Storytime & Art.

Unlock your early learner's potential! Sketching Stories for 3 and 4-year-olds is a one-hour program where they enjoy a FREE story told by a librarian from the York County Library then create a corresponding work of art.

Join us for the last session of the year on the 4th Saturday of this month, 10 AM, at the Center for the Arts. We'll be back in January 2026 with new stories and projects!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25

10 - 11 aM

CREATE WITH YOUR KIDDOS

Youth Art Classes

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Let your child's creativity soar with our youth art classes! Taught by the talented Ida Mae Irby, these classes are designed for young artists to explore a variety of techniques and mediums in a fun, supportive environment. Middle & High School-aged students will develop their skills and leave with their own amazing creations.

SKILLS 3: ACRYLIC PAINTING

November 3, November 17

Master essential techniques like layering, texture and impasto while developing your own unique style through tonal studies and mood boards. Leave with the skills to confidently create expressive acrylic artwork.

SKILLS 4: MIXED MEDIA FUSION

December 1

Go beyond the basics by experimenting with advanced collage and acrylic techniques to build unique, richly textured artwork. Discover new ways to express yourself by blending bold colors with paper elements.

HONE YOUR SKILLS

JOIN THE ARTS COUNCIL'S NEW YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

We are looking for thoughtful, creative, and engaged voices interested in all aspects of the arts—from performance and visual art to arts administration, marketing, and event planning. This is more than a volunteer opportunity; it's a chance to build real-world skills and become a decision-maker in the local arts scene.

OPEN TO YORK COUNTY TEENS (13 - 18) WHO RESIDE IN YORK COUNTY, SC

SCULPT THE FUTURE

ARTS NEWS

REGIONAL

Joyful giant trolls headed to NC cities, including 5 in Raleigh’s Dix Park

by Anna Roman

North Carolina will be the new home of seven large troll sculptures, the largest North American installation for Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo. Five of the larger than life trolls — made from recycled wood, salvaged pallets and fallen branches — will be permanently installed at Dorothea Dix Park. The Dix Park Conservancy announced last year that two would be built for the park.

One troll each will also be installed in Charlotte and...

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REGIONAL

Keith Haring exhibit opens in Columbia

by Tiffany Coker

The Columbia Museum of Art is revealed their fall exhibition, Keith Haring: Radiant Vision, which opened on Saturday, September 27.

Radiant Vision is a collection of drawings on paper, lithographs, silkscreens, posters, and other items that illustrate the entire span of Keith Haring’s short career. Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature images include dancing figures, a radiant baby, a barking dog, a flying saucer, large hearts, and figures with televisions for heads.

Haring was socially conscious, and his murals often reflected his position on...

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SUPPORT US

Donate to the ACYC

Dry Goods Shop

Volunteering & Internships

QUICK LINKS

ACYC Website

Underexposed Film Festival yc

Arts Calendar

ACYC Events, Creative Partners, and Artist & Affiliate Members

CALLS FOR ARTISTS

November 15 | Call for Nominations: Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award | more info
November 16 | Call for ACYC Summer Art Camp Teachers | opens soon

EXHIBITS, CLASSES, RECEPTIONS, & EVENTS

September 12 - October 17 | Held by Shaun and Lucy Cassidy | Center for the Arts: Dalton Gallery | more info
October 13 | Youth Art Classes: Watercolor Study with Ida Mae Irby | Center for the Arts | more info
October 17 | The Current | Center for the Arts | more info
October 18 | Basic Drawing with Joan Coff | Center for the Arts | more info
October 25 | Open Mic Night | Center for the Arts | more info
October 24 - November 22 | It'll All Come Out In the Wash, works by April Pauza | Center for the Arts: Dalton Gallery | more info
October 24 - November 22 | Panovision, works by Jennifer Kirk Hamilton | Center for the Arts: Perimeter Gallery | more info
October 24 - November 15 | Children's Fall Art Show | Center for the Arts: Edmund D. Lewandowski Gallery | more info
October 25 | Sketching Stories: With Flying Colors | Center for the Arts | more info
October 25 | Monthly Artist Meetup | Center for the Arts | more info
October 25 | Open Mic Night with Devann Donovan | Center for the Arts | more info
October 26 | Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra: Songs & Stories | Sullivan Middle School | more info
November 1 | Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving with Sue Helmken | Center for the Arts | more info
November 2 | A Perfect Match Jewelry Making Workshop | Luca Studio & Gallery | more info
November 2 | Downtown Jazz Jam's 2nd Anniversary | Slow Play Brewing | more info
November 3 | Youth Art Classes: Acrylic Painting with Ida Mae Irby | Center for the Arts | more info
November 7 - 23 | Fort Mill Community Playhouse: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | Fort Mill Community Playhouse | more info
November 7 | First Fridays Rock Hill | more info
November 8 | Drawing Colors with Soft PrismaColors | Center for the Arts | more info
November 15 | Mixed Media Art with Acrylics with Mari Matamoros | Center for the Arts | more info
November 17 | Youth Art Classes: Acrylic Painting with Ida Mae Irby | Center for the Arts | more info
November 19 - 22 | Art Party | Downtown Rock Hill | more info
November 22 | Competitive Portrait Drawing | Center for the Arts | more info
December 1 | Youth Art Classes: Mixed Media Fusion with Ida Mae Irby | Center for the Arts | more info

For more arts events in York County, visit the online arts calendar

Arts Council of York County

(803) 328-2787

arts@yorkcountyarts.org

yorkcountyarts.org

Connect with us

Headquartered in the Downtown Rock Hill, SC Cultural District.

Support for this project is provided by the SC Arts Commission (which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts), Rock Hill Accommodations Tax Grant Fund and the ACYC Annual Fund. For visitors information including lodging, contact Visit York County at visityorkcounty.com.