The smART Kinston Foundation is proud to announce the opening of “smART Space,” a new hub designed to bring together artists, community members, and the public through collaborative projects, studio space, teaching opportunities, and special events. The first public event at smART Space will be the “Winter Festival,” scheduled for Saturday, December 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is a fundraiser for Lenoir County Public Schools visual arts.

Located at 314 Mitchell Street, across from the “Flue” sculpture, smART Space follows the success of the smART Gallery on Queen Street and serves as a “nuts and bolts” center for creative engagement. Visitors to the Winter Festival will experience a festive, family-friendly atmosphere featuring crafts, cookies, hot cocoa, games, holiday gifts, and more. Admission is free, with “chits” available for purchase to buy handcrafted ornaments, breads, ciders, cards, wreaths, and garlands. smARTists will be on-site to greet guests, showcase their work, and provide a glimpse into the many artistic mediums represented in the smART Kinston program.

The smART Kinston Foundation supports a thriving artist residency program that welcomes creators from across the globe. With a focus on fostering creativity, community, and cultural exchange, the Foundation offers incentives for artists to live, work, and share their talents in the region. Through its ever-expanding reach, smART Kinston aims to enrich Lenoir County and beyond by offering educational classes, workshops, and collaborative projects. Upcoming brochures will detail class schedules and opportunities for aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels to learn drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms.

To learn more about the smART Kinston Foundation, its artist residency program, and its commitment to the arts, please visit www.smartkinston.com. Applications for prospective resident artists—as well as information on how to support the Foundation—are available online.

Mark your calendars for December 14. smART Kinston invites you to celebrate the start of this new chapter in creativity and community connection at smART Space’s Winter Festival.