Tift Merritt to Serve as Honorary Chair of Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival 2019!

Kacy Hunt, president of the Artsplosure board of directors, today announced that singer-songwriter Tift Merritt will be the honorary chair of the 40h anniversary presentation of Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival.

This free-to-the-public annual spring arts festival will take place on May 18-19 in the heart of downtown Raleigh, N.C., on Fayetteville Street.

In making the announcement, Hunt said that Merritt’s artistry, integrity, and commitment to building a strong and united community exemplify Artsplosure’s core values. Hunt expressed the board’s appreciation that she has chosen to lend her leadership to support Artsplosure, especially on the occasion of the festival’s 40th edition. Merritt last headlined the Artsplosure festival in 2014.

“I’m happy to play a role celebrating one of our city’s most creativity-inspired and art-forward festivals,” said Merritt. “Growing up in Raleigh, I have many fond memories of attending Artsplosure.”

This year’s festival Art Market will open at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 19, and will feature nearly 180 juried visual artists from across North Carolina and the nation. These artists and crafters exhibit and sell their original works of art in the following categories: ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, wood, other 2D and 3D works.

Performances on the outdoor Main Stage will take place from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. City Plaza will be the site of acclaimed Australian environmental artist Amanda Parer’s large scale installation entitled What’s That! Kidsplosure will fill W. Martin Street with interactive crafts and performances for children and their parents.