About the Chowan Arts Council

The Chowan Arts Council was founded in 1976 in Edenton, (Chowan County) North Carolina. We are a member-supported organization that provides a forum for arts and cultural events and supports a thriving artistic community. The mission of the Chowan Arts Council is to build community by encouraging all people to understand and value the arts, celebrate artistic diversity, and to foster all forms of creative expression.

The Chowan Arts Council Gallery features the work of professional and student artists is a series of revolving exhibits. It is open from Monday - Saturday, 10:00am - 4:00pm. From folk art to commissioned portraits, the gallery's eclectic choice of exhibits offers something of interest for everyone. Visit our online gallery for a taste!

The Chowan Arts Council Gallery Shop sells modestly priced work of both well-known and undiscovered artists from North Carolina. The revenue created helps support the programs of the Chowan Arts Council. The shop features paintings, photographs, and sculpture in addition to jewelry, decoys, garden ornaments, painted furniture and children's items.

The Chowan Arts Council Museum maintains as a permanent exhibit "A Century of Chowan Through Photographs". This exhibit depicts life in Chowan County from 1850 to 1954. Treasured photographs from many families create an historical portrait of this community during the last century.

The Swain Auditorium is located on the floor above the Chowan Arts Council Gallery. A wide variety of performance artists have put their talents on display over the years here and events are always being added.

The Chowan Arts Council also provides an active outreach program that provides cultural-arts opportunities in our schools and neighborhoods, offers workshops, demonstrations and performances and provides information to individuals interested in seeking grants for all disciplines of the arts.