Wilkes County has always been a place where people make things – out of necessity, out of love, out of sheer creative energy. The hands that worked the soil also carved, stitched, spun, and sculpted. Here, creativity isn’t imported – it’s inherited, embedded in the landscape, passed down like a family recipe.
Artists in Wilkes have long gathered inspiration from the wild terrain around them: misty mountains, tumbling rivers, and the flash of wings in the trees. And today, that spirit hasn’t just survived – it’s thriving. From downtown galleries to tucked-away studios in the hollows, art is alive here.
"It’s no surprise so many makers call Wilkes County home," says fifth-generation resident and artist Margaret Martine. "There’s something about this place that fuels the imagination."
So come see for yourself. Whether your taste runs to contemporary abstracts or Appalachian folk forms, the Wilkes art scene offers a rich mix of past and present, rooted tradition, and boundless creativity.
A Downtown Renaissance
Start your journey in North Wilkesboro, where historic charm meets modern creativity. The Wilkes Art Gallery, located in a stately 1925 post office, is a hub for artists and art lovers alike. With 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, it balances polished professionalism with small-town warmth.
"This gallery is on par with what you’d see in New York City," says Margaret Martine. Fellow artist Christie Younger agrees: "It’s the epicenter of art in Wilkes County–where artists come together to teach, learn, and be inspired."
Beyond the exhibits, the Gallery hosts classes, workshops, and a gift shop full of carefully curated handmade work by regional artisans. (Wilkes Art Gallery, 913 C Street, North Wilkesboro – wilkesartgallery.org)
Need a coffee fix between exhibits? Head over to Talia Espresso, just a short walk away. This European-style bistro serves up hearty breakfasts, fresh lunch plates, and locally roasted coffee–surrounded by vibrant local art. (809 Main Street – taliaespresso.com)
Just around the corner, Taupe Gallery offers a dazzling array of artistic voices, from clay sculpture to bold modern canvases. Owner Jim Lyall, with his eye for standout design, created the space to fill a void he saw in local interior design offerings. With his partner Steve Key, he crisscrossed North Carolina, finding artists whose work sings with authenticity.
"They live and breathe art," says Christie Younger, whose studio is just steps away. (Taupe Gallery, 305 10th Street – taupegallery.com)
Younger’s own work blends a background in botany with a love of the natural world. Her richly textured paintings feel both contemporary and timeless. "I roam pastures and woods that once belonged to my children’s great-great grandparents," she says. "There’s a deep sense of belonging in my art." (christieyounger.com)
Before you leave town, stop by Wilkes County Hardware – a charming mash-up of utility and artistry. Amid the nails and paint cans, you’ll find handcrafted soaps, local honey, and beautifully turned wooden bowls by Keegan Watson. (324 10th Street – wilkescountyhardware.com)
Across the River, Into the Past
In nearby Wilkesboro, the creative current continues. Look up at the mural of Doc Watson near the corner of Main and Bridge Streets–his image a tribute to Wilkes’ musical roots in Americana, Bluegrass, and Country.
Across the street, the Wilkes Heritage Museum offers a deep dive into the region’s artistry–from Native American pottery and stone tools to 19th-century stoneware made with clay pulled from the Yadkin River. Don’t miss the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, a celebration of the area’s legendary luthiers, songwriters, and singers. (100 East Main Street – wilkesheritagemuseum.com)
Need a quiet moment? Just up the hill, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church invites contemplation with its frescoes by Ben Long. Painted in the centuries-old Italian style, the works capture scenes from the life of St. Paul in rich, glowing color. (200 West Cowles Street – stpaulwilkesboro.org)
Creative Outposts in the Countryside
Art in Wilkes isn’t confined to galleries. It spills out into fields and forest, barns, and backroads.
Head south on Highway 18 to Boomer, where you’ll find Brey Quality Crafts. Betsy Brey blends basketry with bark work using materials harvested from her own land–cedar, hickory, and white oak. She also shares her knowledge through hands-on workshops in basket and soap making. (830 Glenn Carlton Road, Boomer – by appointment)
From there, wind your way west to Whippoorwill Village and Academy in Ferguson. This lovingly preserved homestead-turned-cultural center is the brainchild of Margaret and Dick Martine. The Smoke House Gallery showcases regional artists, while events throughout the year celebrate everything from blacksmithing to poetry. Margaret even sets up an easel and invites festivalgoers to contribute to a collaborative painting. (11928 Highway 268 West – whippoorwillacademy.com)
Further north, in Miller’s Creek, the forest-framed studios continue. Glass artist Susan Roath creates glowing stained-glass works inspired by nature–sometimes embedding stones from local rivers. "My home and heart are here," she says. "My studio is my happy place." (Call 336-452-1762 for appointments)
Nearby, Lyle Wheeler handcrafts traditional Appalachian ladderback chairs and spinning wheels using tools and techniques passed down through generations. "When I look at a log, I see a chair at the end," he says. A master woodworker and blacksmith, Wheeler keeps history alive one piece at a time. (Wheeler’s Chairs – by appointment only, 336-838-2284)
End your tour in Traphill, at Sunset Fiberworks, nestled on 300 acres in the Yadkin Valley. Inside her rustic studio, Mary Freas weaves vibrant shawls, scarves, and linens on antique looms–including one once used by Lucy Morgan, her husband’s aunt and the founder of Penland School of Craft. "Weaving connects me to the past," Freas says. "There’s a comfort in its rhythm." (Workshops available – call 336-957-2753 or email sfiberworks@wilkes.net)
Whether in a gallery or garden studio, Wilkes County’s artists are creating more than beauty–they’re carrying forward a legacy of craftsmanship, creativity, and care. Come wander, explore, and maybe even get your hands a little dirty. You’ll leave with stories to tell–and maybe something handcrafted to take home.