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Cleveland County Artist Competition

May 16 - June 20, 2025

The Cleveland County Artist Competition provides local artists with an opportunity to showcase their work and compete for prizes and recognition. This competition typically includes a variety of media, such as painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and other visual arts.

The competition is open to artists 18+ of all skill levels, and it provides a great opportunity for artists to network and connect with other artists in the community. It also offers a chance for art lovers to discover new talent and appreciate the diverse range of art created by local artists.

If you are an artist or an art lover in the Shelby area, the Cleveland County Artist Competition is a great event. Whether you are entering the competition or simply attending as a spectator, you are sure to be inspired and impressed by the quality and variety of art on display!

Entries may be two and three dimensional but limited to paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed media, print-making, and fine craft. Entry Fee is $30 for up to 2 entries. Additional entries $5 each (each artist may have up to 4 total entries in the show).
*First Place $500.00
*Second Place $250.00
*Third Place $125.00
*Three Honorable
Mention Awards $50.00 each

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"Please Remaing Standing" -- Photography Exhibit

July 10 - August 2, 2025

Travel through the years and across the nation with a heartwarming collection of photographs capturing the charm of hometown movie theaters, including Cleveland County’s Joy Performance Center and Rogers Theater. Each theater holds a story, echoes of first dates, family nights, and Saturday matinees woven into the fabric of its community. Relive the magic where memories were made and movies came to life.

Benita VanWinkle is an Associate Professor of Art at High Point University, in High Point, NC. Benita’s work has been exhibited and recognized with awards in numerous international and national juried art exhibitions. She continues to work with many non-profit organizations in NC and is a former youth director at Brookstown United Methodist Church in Pfafftown, NC. Benita’s book America’s Hometown Movie Theaters: Please Remain Standing will be available beginning April 23, 2026. To purchase your copy, go to www.baueranddean.co

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Real to Reel International Film Festival

July 23 - July 26, 2025

Our goal is to showcase thought-provoking films and offer a venue where movie lovers who appreciate independent vision can celebrate this unique art form.

The Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased to announce that on July 23-26, 2025 the 26th Annual “Real to Reel International Film Festival” will once again open its doors to embrace filmmakers and film lovers alike.

Located in the heart of North Carolina between Asheville and Charlotte, Cleveland County is right in the middle of it all. The mission of the Real to Reel International Film Festival is to offer a forum for independent film, video, and multi-media artists from around the world to showcase their talents and expose the works of these artists to our region.

Visitors to the Joy Performance Center - 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, a renovated classic theater from the 1940’s in Kings Mountain, NC can expect to find a great lineup of films from all over the world, a chance to talk with many of the filmmakers and of course a concession stand with all those goodies you would expect to find.

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Chalk Fest 

September 2025
Fun family friendly chalk event on the court square monetary awards Fun for ALL! Registration begins at 8:30am, drawing ends at Noon, judging begins immediately after drawing ends and awards will be announced when the judges are finished deliberating.
You will receive a box of chalk with your registration but you can bring your own chalk too.

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Carolina Pottery Festival 

November 1, 2025 

-Almost 100 Potters!
-Free, Convenient Parking
-All types of pottery
-Just in time for Holiday Shopping
-$6 Admission (under 12 free)
Tickets available in advance or at the door.

Location: LeGrand Center,
1800 E. Marion Street
Shelby, NC

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Handmade for the Holidays 

November - December 2025
 
Every delightful item for sale is crafted by talented, local artists. Hats, Jams, Mugs, Lamps, Jellies, Pottery, Scarves, Mosaics, Journals, Paintings, Ornaments, Pet Portraits, Stained Glass, Stocking Stuffers, Handcrafted Jewelry, Crochet Items,
and much more!
 
Hours: M-TR from 9am-4pm, Fridays 9am-7pm, and Saturdays 10am-2pm