We’ve Come a Long Way!
From Art Guild to Accredited Art Museum
Waterworks Visual Arts Center celebrated the grand opening of its 15,000 square-foot facility at 123 East Liberty Street in Salisbury, NC on Saturday, January 25, 2003. Designed by the architectural firm, Clearscapes of Raleigh, North Carolina, Waterworks was part of a major downtown revitalization project, spearheaded by F&M Bank of Rowan County. The $2.8 million capital campaign successfully raised funds not only for the renovation and expansion of the 1930s building donated by F&M Bank, but also for the Waterworks Endowment Fund. Individuals, businesses, foundations, and local governments stepped forward to support this important community project with gifts from $25 to $300,000.
As a private nonprofit organization, Waterworks mission is to provide diverse opportunities in the visual arts for ALL people through exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. The Arts Center offers five professional galleries, three outdoor sculpture/sensory gardens, photography and clay studios, classrooms, library, large conference room and a gift shop.
Waterworks was founded in 1959 as the Rowan Art Guild. In 1977, with a lease from the City of Salisbury, the art center moved into its first home, the original city waterworks facility. Now, sixty-five years later, Waterworks is an exciting place where ideas, issues, and communities converge to expand traditional ways of thinking and explore the complex and unfolding patterns between artistic and cultural spheres. As a unique blend of education, inspiration, creativity, and fun,
Waterworks serves as the anchor organization for Salisbury's East Square Cultural Arts District and is the only teaching museum within a forty mile radius of Salisbury.
Waterworks strives to be a leader and innovator in the exhibition of art and in museum education. Creative and expressive artwork from established and emerging regional and local artists are featured in three rotation exhibitions annually. The museum is open free of charge, six days a week.
Waterworks is a cultural asset and destination; a vibrant, collaborative space for lifelong learning, and an economic development engine for Salisbury-Rowan County. We are proud of our long history and our ability to respond and adapt to the needs of the communities we serve. We look forward to your visit!
Waterworks Visual Arts Center is a non-profit 501(C)3, non-collecting art museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Center's programming is made possible by the generous support of its members, corporate sponsors, private foundations, City of Salisbury, Rowan County, and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the NC Department of Cultural Resources.
For tax purposes, our Tax ID number is 56-6056267
A Chronology
1959 / Twenty-six local artists establish the Rowan Art Guild, and hold the first exhibition in the Corriher-Linn-Black Library at Catawba College.
1977 / The City of Salisbury, under the direction of City Manager Francis Luther, offers the Rowan Art Guild use of a building at 310 West Kerr Street. Built in 1913, it had served as the City's water department, City Hall and police headquarters.
1999 / The Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums (now the American Alliance of Museums).
2000 / F&M Bank donates the McCanless Motor Company building at 123 East Liberty Street to the Waterworks as the site for a new art center.
2001 / Visualize This! capital campaign is conducted throughout Salisbury and Rowan County under the leadership of Margaret H. Kluttz and Christine P. Whitton. Ground is broken on November 27 for the new facility. 2002 / The successful capital campaign concludes with over $2.8 million raised.
2003 / The grand opening celebration of the new facility is held January 25.
2012 Waterworks Visual Arts Center received accreditation.
1986 / The Waterworks Visual Arts Center becomes the official name of the organization, marking its emergence as a regional arts center.
In summary…
Spring 2019, Disneyland People 1, mixed-media, 2018 by Nico Amortegui, exhibited in the exhibition, UNITY THROUGH ART.
Our Mission
The mission of Waterworks Visual Arts Center is to provide diverse opportunities in the visual arts for all people through exhibitions, education, and outreach programs.
Fall 2017, Susan Lentz talks about her series of fiber artworks, In Stitches, during the opening reception for ARCHITECTURE and HISTORY.
Our Vision
Waterworks Visual Arts Center aspires to enhance the creative capacity of individuals and communities through extraordinary visual arts experiences that foster creativity and learning.
We strive to be a leader and innovator in the exhibition of the art of our time and in museum education. Waterworks is an exciting space where ideas, issues, and communities converge to expand traditional ways of thinking and explore the complex, unfolding patterns between artistic and cultural spheres.