Downtown Cary: Cary Art Swarm

Art Swarm, the dynamic plein air event that turns downtown Cary into a lively, open-air creative studio, returns Oct. 14-18, 2026. During this multiday event, top regional artists will capture Cary landmarks on canvas in outdoor settings, studio artists will create artwork inside the Cary Arts Center, and experts will lead workshops in portraiture, urban sketching, abstract painting and more.

Schedule of Events Oct. 14-17: Artists can be seen painting daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at outdoor locations in downtown Cary. Workshops for varying skill levels will also take place during these four days at the FALC Gallery and Cary Arts Center.

Oct. 17, noon-4 p.m.: Sidewalk Art Sale at & Tap, 307 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511.

Oct. 18, 3-5 p.m.: Public reception, art exhibition and awards ceremony inside the FALC Gallery at 110 E. Park St., behind The Mayton.

The Fine Arts League of Cary (FALC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in the region, presents Art Swarm. Follow FALC on Facebook, Instagram and its home page.

The Town of Cary is a key sponsor of Art Swarm.