Local artist Jim Carson has been selected to exhibit his painting *Beaufort May* in the American Impressionist Society’s 27th Annual National Exhibition, taking place September 4 through October 3 at the Mockingbird Gallery in Bend, Oregon. The 16-by-20-inch work was chosen from 1,550 submissions, with only 180 paintings accepted into the juried show.
Open Art Gallery will open its doors on May 1, 2026, at 32 West Main Street, Unit C, in Saluda. Owner Hector DelCampo, a silhouette artist who moved to the area three years ago, is launching the space to foster community and showcase local talent. The inaugural featured artist is 15-year-old Sila, whose vibrant works will be on display. The grand opening runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments and meet-the-artist opportunities.
Upstairs Artspace in Tryon is launching two concurrent exhibitions, "Fight or Flight" and "Birds of a Feather," opening April 19. The solo show by Asheville-based artist Erika Diamond features textile sculptures crafted from bulletproof Kevlar and mirrored vinyl, exploring themes of queer safety, resilience, and survival. The accompanying group show, curated by Diamond, brings together eight artists whose works in photography, glass, and painting examine identity and the human body's relationship to the natural world.
Upstairs Artspace in Tryon, North Carolina, has opened its second biennial Salon d’Upstairs exhibition. The show features over 100 works by more than 70 local artists, ranging from high school students to professionals, displayed in a dense, salon-style format. The exhibition serves as both a community engagement initiative and a fundraiser, with sales proceeds split between the artists and the gallery.