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You’d expect a place nicknamed “The City of Arts and Innovation” to have a booming art scene—and Winston-Salem delivers with its exceptional art galleries.
This city pulses with local energy and creativity on every block, from repurposed factories to giant murals. Gallery walls rotate faster than a food truck lineup, and whether you’re here to buy, browse, or just mutter, “I could totally do that,” there’s something for every kind of art lover.
Start Here: The Winston-Salem Arts District
Welcome to Trade Street—the vibrant, walkable heart of the Winston-Salem arts district. This is where you’ll find indie art galleries, artist-run spaces, and street murals you’ll want to pose in front of.
If you only have one afternoon, spend it here.
Where To Go First
- Artworks Gallery: The city’s longest-running artist co-op. You’ll find contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photography—much of it for sale.
- Artivity on the Green: A pocket park filled with giant red pencils, colorful sculpture towers, and surprise installations. Not a gallery—but it sets the tone.
- Delurk Gallery: Bold, unexpected, and a little offbeat. This artist collective leans into the experimental.
- North Trade Street Arts Center: A collective of galleries and nonprofit organizations, including The Downtown Arts District Association, The Exhibiting Artists of The LAAC, and Associated Artists of Winston-Salem.
- Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc. – A fine craft guild with nearly 400 Southeast-based artists. Their Trade Street gallery features jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and woodwork year-round—and don’t miss their massive annual fair each November.
- Red Dog Gallery: The anchor of the AFAS (Art for Art’s Sake) building, featuring rotating exhibits by local artists. Bonus: there’s a rooftop sculpture garden.
- Visual Index (VI) – A gallery committed to contemporary craft and fine art from living artists across all 50 states.
- 560 North Trade – A unique 20,000-square-foot space with over 25 studios, galleries, and creative businesses under one roof. Hours vary by studio.
Quick Takeaway: The best stops in the Winston-Salem arts district are Red Dog, Artworks, Delurk, North Trade Street Arts Center, and Artivity Park.
While You’re Downtown
Most of Winston-Salem’s galleries cluster around Trade Street—but there are still a few worth wandering toward.
- Fourth Street Art & Frame – Located on Reynolda Road on the edge of downtown Winston-Salem across from the main entrance of Hanes Park, this custom frame shop and storefront gallery features original art by Winston-Salem and other North Carolina artists.
Art In Landmark Venues
Are you interested in museum-level exhibitions and participating in art classes, community workshops, and seasonal shows?
Then, you need to get acquainted with these Winston-Salem art hubs—each housed in architectural buildings that are as inspiring as the art inside. Learn more about local architecture here.
Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts
Housed in a former Hanes hosiery factory, it’s a showcase space for local talent—including seasonal exhibitions like “150 Years of Reynolds Art” and artist spotlights. It also serves as the gateway for the Sawtooth School, making it a double feature for studios and galleries.
Sawtooth School for Visual Art
Nested inside the Milton Rhodes Center, Sawtooth comes alive with community workshops, classes, and gallery shows by both emerging and established artists.
The Eleanor and Egbert Davis Gallery features six exhibitions a year of local, regional, and national fine art. They collaborate with curators and storytellers throughout the community to bring diverse and thoughtful exhibitions.
The Marta Blades Gallery Shop showcases works from Sawtooth School artists, instructors, and students.
NC Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA)
Set on a serene 32-acre estate off Marguerite Drive, this striking space blends art and architecture.
Initially opened in 1956, the building reflects Mid-Century Modern design with Bauhaus influences. A major 2010 renovation by Thomas Phifer and Partners introduced glass-walled additions and minimalist landscaping seamlessly connecting old and new.
Once home to the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), it now operates as the Winston-Salem campus of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Exhibitions spotlight contemporary works across the region and beyond, and the grounds often host sculpture installations and events.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Housed in the historic 1917 estate of Katharine and R.J. Reynolds, Reynolda House blends American art and architecture into one immersive experience.
The museum holds an impressive permanent collection that spans from colonial portraiture to contemporary works, along with rotating exhibitions in its Babcock Gallery. With its green terra-cotta roof, restored interiors, and manicured gardens, Reynolda isn’t just a museum—it’s a time capsule of early 20th-century innovation and culture.
Campus Galleries & Cultural Centers
Looking to experience art through a cultural or academic lens? These institutions contribute to Winston-Salem’s diverse and educational art scene:
- Charlotte & Phillip Hanes Art Gallery at Wake Forest University – An academic gallery that presents 6–8 contemporary exhibitions annually, as well as selections from Wake Forest’s own collections.
- Delta Arts Center – Located in East Winston-Salem, this community gallery and cultural center highlights African-American artists and humanities. The soaring gallery space is free and open to the public.
- Diggs Gallery at Winston-Salem State University – One of the largest exhibitions in North Carolina devoted to African and African Diaspora art. Recognized by the Smithsonian for excellence in regional arts.
Local Legends & Emerging Artists You Should Know
The city’s gallery walls are just the beginning—Winston-Salem is also home to creatives making waves now and leaving big legacies behind.
Anne Kesler Shields (1932–2012)
A true local icon, Shields helped found Associated Artists of Winston-Salem and SECCA (now NCMA Winston‑Salem).
Her bold collages and abstract paintings challenged the Southern art status quo, and her work can still be spotted in permanent collections at Milton Rhodes, Wake Forest, and UNC‑Greensboro.
Earline Heath King (1913–2011)
King was a powerhouse sculptor whose portraits and public installations shaped the city’s visual identity. A graduate of Reynolds High, she created hundreds of sculptures, including the beloved Bowman Gray equestrian statue in downtown Winston‑Salem.
Rising Stars & Studio Regulars
- AFAS artists rotating through Red Dog are often local favorites worth watching.
- Sawtooth resident creators—from abstract painters to woodblock printmakers—share their work through both gallery shows and pop-up marketplaces.
- Artworks Gallery is an artist-run cooperative gallery featuring exclusively local artists.
You might go home knowing the names (or better yet, following their socials), and certainly with art that feels like Winston-Salem in hand.
Can I Buy That? Art You Can Actually Take Home
Not all art is museum-priced. Plenty of art galleries in Winston-Salem showcase affordable, original work.
- Artworks Gallery regularly features pieces under $200.
- The Eclectible Shop features framed paintings, drawings, photographs, and art by local artists alongside its vintage books and vinyl.
- Fourth Street Art & Frame is a custom frame shop and storefront gallery featuring original art by Winston-Salem and other North Carolina artists.
- Red Dog often includes purchasable works from rotating AFAS exhibits.
- Sawtooth’s gift shop offers handmade ceramics, jewelry, and prints from its instructors and local makers.
- Laster’s Fine Art & Antiques offers a more refined take on vintage, with high-end antiques, fine art, and historic pieces you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Quick Takeaway: If you see something you like, ask. Many pieces are one-of-a-kind and for sale.
Not A Gallery, But Still Worth A Visit
Some of Winston-Salem’s most interesting creative spaces aren’t formal art galleries—they’re coffee shops, performance venues, and multi-use spaces that weave art into daily life.
- Krankies Coffee has long been a hub for the arts community. From indie installations to pop-up shows and performance art, it’s more than just a caffeine stop.
- The Millennium Center transforms its halls and event spaces with rotating exhibits, especially during large public events and art-centric festivals.
- The Salem Coffee Pot is a beloved piece of public folk art—and a selfie magnet.
- Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance incorporates visual art into its lobbies and seasonal productions, often highlighting local artists whose work reflects the themes of current performances.
Plan Your Art Crawl: First Fridays & Annual Events
Winston-Salem’s arts scene isn’t just something you browse—it’s something you experience. Regular events turn downtown into an open-air gallery with performances, pop-ups, and interactive exhibits.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just here for the vibes, these monthly and seasonal happenings are the best way to plug into the local creative pulse.
First Friday Gallery Hop (Monthly)
The First Friday Gallery Hop brings the arts district to life monthly with open studios, new exhibits, live music, and food trucks. Hosted by the Downtown Arts District Association (DADA), this event takes place year-round on the first Friday of every month, from 7–10 pm.
Trade Street closes off a few blocks to make room for sidewalk chalk, performers, and extra outdoor fun. Some galleries offer refreshments, artist meet-and-greets, or mini workshops.
Bonus Event: Keep an eye out for seasonal specials like October’s Trick or Treat in the Arts District, typically held on the Saturday before Halloween.
Art Crush – Third Fridays
There’s plenty of art to love every third Friday from April through December with Arts District of Winston-Salem ART CRUSH, another evening of culture and creative celebration on Trade and 6th Streets.
Visual artists, musicians, and performers take over the streets from 7–10 pm. Visitors can submit artwork to be featured or sign up to volunteer.
Associated Artists of Winston-Salem
This longstanding nonprofit supports Winston-Salem’s creative community through a network of rotating exhibitions and public art initiatives. You’ll find their exhibits spread across the city, from the Benton Convention Center and Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health galleries to the Masonic Center and Milton Rhodes.
In addition to nurturing emerging local talent, they make it easy for the public to experience art in unexpected places—and even buy pieces directly through their website. They also curate shows at their own spaces inside the Associated Artists Gallery, Main Gallery, and North Trade Street Arts Gallery.
Other Notable Art Events
- Holiday markets at Sawtooth
- Seasonal exhibitions at Milton Rhodes
- Special installations at NCMA Winston-Salem
Quick Takeaway: Winston’s arts calendar is packed. First Fridays and ART CRUSH are your monthly go-to’s for a full dose of local creativity.
Bonus: Art Galleries Map + Plan Your Crawl by Neighborhood
Winston-Salem’s art galleries tend to cluster in three main areas:
- Trade Street / Arts District: Red Dog, Artworks Gallery, Delurk, North Trade Street Arts Center, Artivity Park
- Downtown / Civic Arts Campus: Milton Rhodes Center, Sawtooth School
- Reynolda Area: NCMA Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA), Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Check out our map of featured galleries, museums, and public art spots if you’re planning a day out. You can see everything in a day—but you’ll probably want to come back for more.
Be sure to include time for lunch at one of Winston-Salem’s wonderful restaurants in the area you will be visiting.
Which art galleries in Winston-Salem are your favorites and why? Let us know in the comments!
