The Arts are Impressive in Caldwell County

sculpture of a stag with antlers The Blue Ridge foothills of Western North Carolina are a breathtaking backdrop for our arts and history. Caldwell County offers a remarkable variety of cultural, artistic and historical amenities, including museums, galleries, live music, dance and theatrical performances, community festivals and street fairs.

A stroll through downtown Lenoir is an art lover's dream — the Smithsonian recognizes Caldwell County’s permanent public outdoor sculpture collection as the largest per capita in the nation. The Caldwell Arts Council sponsors their annual Sculpture Celebration on the first Saturday after Labor Day in Lenoir’s gorgeous 20-acre Broyhill Walking Park. The nationally celebrated event — the largest gathering of professional sculptures in the South — is free to the public. Thousands of people come to enjoy the beautiful grounds filled with sculptures, live music and food trucks.

The historic Patterson School Foundation property provides an idyllic location for the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center. Nestled in Historic Happy Valley, a quiet mountain valley between Lenoir and Blowing Rock filled with history and events, the Foundation paves the way for a new millennium. It is continuing a 100-year legacy dedicated to education and agriculture, including expanding the Patterson School Incubator Farm Program.