Downtown Davidson Inc. announcement

April is for Arts, a celebration of art and culture in North Mecklenburg, will feature numerous events this month in north Mecklenburg, including Davidson’s Art on the Green Festival, Benches on the Green day, gallery crawl and the season-opening Concert on the Green.

Events are planned all month long in Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville.

ART ON THE GREEN

This year 45 artists have been selected for the April 25-26 Art on the Green, North Mecklenburg’s largest annual art festival. The event on the Davidson Village Green will include exhibits, demonstrations, food and live music.

Brad Thomas, award winning artist and director of the Van Every/ Smith Galleries at Davidson College, is this year’s Art on the Green juror. His expertise serves as a guarantee that this selection of works is of the highest quality.

“Downtown Davidson Inc. and the Arts and Science Council are very excited about this year’s Art on the Green,” said Margaret Martens, project manager for Downtown Davidson Inc. “This is the fourth year for Art on the Green, and the festival gets bigger and better with each passing year.”

With a Cultural Project Grant from the Arts and Science Council and the participation of local sponsors, including official sponsor McIntosh Law Firm, Davidson College Friends of the Arts, Peter Macon & Associates, WDAV, Homewood Suites, and South Main Square, this event has evolved from a one-day show of local talent into a weekend-long event, featuring regional and local artists as well as great live music and food.

Musical performances by the Merrows Celtic Band, Rusty Knox and Michael Orlando, Billy Jones, Lexi Vo, and Off Main Jazz Quintet will entertain the crowds. A wide range of food choices from area restaurants and schools will be available to visitors as they stroll through artists’ booths or sit and listen to the music. Artists from the Creative Art Exchange and the juried show will be on hand demonstrating their talents.

“We encourage people to be a part of the other activities in Davidson that take place during April is for Arts,” said Martens.

BENCHES ON THE GREEN

This includes Benches on the Green on April 4, beginning at 10 a.m., on the Davidson Village Green. Teams from local businesses will transform unfinished benches into masterpieces with their favorite designs while jugglers perform. The Generals, Davidson College’s male a capella group, will entertain the crowd as well. Benches are then placed throughout Davidson as a visual reminder that April is for Arts.

GALLERY CRAWL

On April 17, there will be an extensive April is for Arts Gallery Crawl. Davidson galleries, businesses, and Davidson Town Hall as well as Cornelius Town Hall, the Cornelius Arts Center, and various Cornelius businesses will be open from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and will host visiting artists, including some featured during Art on the Green. “Park in Davidson or Cornelius and hop on a trolley and enjoy the ride to all the different stops, where you can enjoy the art as well as refreshments and music,” Ms. Martens suggests.

CONCERT ON THE GREEN

April is for Arts will round out the month with the first Concert on the Green. Davidson College Symphony and Davidson College Jazz Ensemble will share the stage on April 26 at 6 p.m. Pack a picnic dinner and bring family and friends to enjoy the music.

This project was made possible, in part, through a Cultural Project Grant from the Arts & Science Council and the Grassroots Program of the North Carolina Arts Council (a state agency).

Downtown Davidson Inc. is a non-profit association of retailers, businesses, and property owners in Downtown Davidson. Its mission is to strengthen downtown Davidson as a community center and unique area destination while maintaining its historic, pedestrian friendly character.