Valley River Arts Guild at the MAC, Murphy Art Center
  • ~ About Us ~
  • ~ Adult Classes ~
  • ~ Youth Classes ~
  • ~ Murphy Art Walk ~
  • ~ The Murphy Art Xplosion ~
  • ~ Meet Our Members ~
  • ~ SMArt Tour: Smoky Mountain Art Studio Tour ~
  • ~ Legacy Support: Living and Lasting ~
  • ~ Our Impact in the Community ~
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​  Cool.   Colorful.   Creative.   Eclectic.

Something For Everyone


 woodworking       pottery     paintings     jewelry     candles   
stained glass      quilts      handbags     sculptures 
books    greeting cards   photography
   baskets   mosaics   puzzles   ornaments   fused glass

​and much more!!!

Come.  Linger.  Enjoy.
​
 12 Peachtree Street (on the Square)
Murphy, NC 28906


828-360-3038
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Silver Arts of Cherokee & Clay Counties - Visual Arts Showcase at The MAC

This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC
You won't want to miss this. 

Come to the Murphy Art Center, May 7-17,
to view the visual arts entries and see which artists took the top award
s!

Hosted by Valley River Arts Guild at The MAC
12 Peachtree Street, downtown Murphy, NC. 828-360-3038.
Event is from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the above dates.


Call The MAC for more information.
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Coming Up! The new Murphy Art Xplosion

Outdoor Art Gallery Exhibit: 

"The Natural World"

will be on display June 1st - November 30th!​


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Are you an artist who loves to paint Plein Aire?

Or a photographer who loves photographing in unique locations?


Join us as the Valley River Arts Guild hosts our

1st Annual Plein Aire Affair

in the town of Murphy and Cherokee County, NC!

Click on the Entry Form below, fill it out, and send it in!


The MAC, Murphy Art Center

12 Peachtree Street, downtown Murphy, NC

More info: www.ValleyRiverArts.com
Calling all Artists! Click here for Plein Aire Affair Entry Form
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Sponsored in part by BLICK Art Materials: ​http://www.dickblick.com/
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​Opening Reception

Murphy Art Xplosion!

Friday, June 5, from 5-8 PM

This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC.

Come downtown to The MAC - Murphy Art Center
for the opening reception of the MAX Project installation.

The Murphy Art Xplosion is
​
THE LARGEST CHANGEABLE OUTDOOR ART EXHIBIT
 in the world!


Featuring 39 large art panels created by our regional artists.
Exhibit available for viewing 24/7 through November 2026.

Wine bar and refreshments served!

For more information, call us at 828-360-3038
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And Double Your Fun
on the same night at
the


First Friday Art Walk

June 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM

  Support the local artists of Murphy, NC.
.
Come join us as all of downtown Murphy comes alive
to celebrate the Arts with
Music, Arts & Crafts, Food and Drinks.


Art vendors everywhere.
Music on the Square is "Dire Wolf" and
Music inside the Murphy Art Center is Jim & Marci Wilcox.

Call The MAC for more information at 828-360-3038
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Art Walk Make and Take
Free event!

Sail Away!

This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC on the June 5, Art Walk.

Kids will make a sailboat from cork, toothpicks, rubber bands, and foam sheets.
While supplies last.


Don't be left on the dock. Cruise on down. Have a boat full of fun.
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And last but not least, come dance to the music. 

Rock your night away at Art Walk!

Special music on the square during Art Walk 
"Dire Wolf"
Come enjoy the Classic Rock of this great band.
Bring your lawn chairs and plan to stay the evening.


And inside The MAC is
Jim & Marci Wilcox.
Complimentary wine and snacks inside the Murphy Art Center.


From 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, June 5th.

Call The MAC for more information at 828-360-3038
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Second Saturday Shop & Sip

Arts & Craft Demos and Drum Circle
This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC

Lots going on at The MAC - Murphy Art Center Saturday, June 13th!

The MAC is hosting arts and crafts demonstrations and a special Drum Circle. Everyone is invited!

FREE! Shop & Sip at most businesses downtown from 2-5PM.
Demonstrations at the MAC 10AM - 5PM.
Drum Circle in the afternoon.
Free Wine Tasting at The MAC
.

Call The MAC for more information.
 828-360-3038
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Save the Date!

One of the biggest Classic Car Shows in Western North Carolina

is coming to Downtown Murphy, NC!

Hosted by the Valley River Arts Guild at the MAC, Murphy Art Center!


Free to attend by the public!

Just $10 to enter your show car on July 11th, Saturday, 2026.


Bring the family and all of your friends! 200 Classic Cars will be on display with

Raffle Tickets available to purchase for a chance to win

the special classic truck raffle!

See you at The MAC, 12 Peachtree Street, Murphy, NC.

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Have a skill? Want to share it?

No prior experience required.
​Join our great group of instructors at The MAC and be paid for the fun! 


​Send an email to either [email protected] for Kids Classes

or [email protected] for Teen and/or Adult Classes.
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The Murphy Art Center
(The MAC)


Home of
The Valley River Arts Guild:


Your Destination
for 
The Arts
and 
Entertainment!

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WATCH these short EXCITING videos of the MAC!!!

Valley River Arts Guild

dba The MAC,
Murphy Art Center™

12 Peachtree Street
On the Square

Downtown Murphy, NC
28906

828.360.3038
Gallery and Shop Hours
  • Open Monday through Saturday 10am - 5pm​
  • First Friday Evenings open late until 8pm
  • Sundays 11am until 4:30pm
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The Valley River Arts Guild

(VRAG) is a ​not-for-profit

organization created to support

local artists and promote art in

the community.
​

 






About Valley River Arts Guild

The Valley River Arts Guild

(VRAG) was formed in 2010

as a 501-c3 non-profit art organization,

to support the talent and creativity of the artists

in our community, to unify our community around the arts

through classes and events, and to enhance the livability

of our town as an art-centric community.



The VRAG conducts classes for kids, teens, and adults,

hosts a beautiful arts and crafts gallery

at our Murphy Art Center for regional artists,

and sponsors art events including

the First Friday Murphy Art Walk.



The MAX Project, Murphy Art Xplosion, ​Outdoor Art

Gallery, the Music/Art program on First Fridays,

and our annual SMArt Studio Tour,

all to establish the region as an arts destination.


All events, programs, and projects are produced

by our Valley River Arts Guild's

volunteer members and associates,

with support by our valuable community partners.



​The VRAG Gallery is located

at The Murphy Art Center (The MAC)™,

12 Peachtree Street, on the Square,

downtown Murphy, North Carolina.

Original and affordable works of art and creative

Appalachian crafts are hand-crafted

​by our dozens of artist members and are on display

and available for purchase

​at our huge gorgeous downtown Murphy gallery.

The Art Classroom is located within the Murphy Art

Center™, in the same downtown building as
​
the Valley River Arts Guild galleries.

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Artwork by Kelly Kennon

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Artwork by David Vanderlaan


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Click here for The VRAG's Facebook Page

Keep up with the latest

happenings and new arts

and crafts by adding a Like

to our ​Facebook Page
 
and visiting it often.

New classes and events are

added regularly and photos

of new art are added to the

Facebook Photo Gallery to

inspire you to visit.

Please support the Arts in

our community by visiting

​ the Gallery today!
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Artwork by Kathy Borchelt

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Artwork by Barbara Keyes


Valley River Arts Guild

2025 - 2026
​Board of Directors


President -
Joyce Clair


Vice President -
Steven Inglima


Treasurer -
Tom Caley


Secretary -
Carrie Keohane


Director at Large -
Alana Kolifrath

Community Board Member -
Steven Aft

Community Board Member -
Debra Vanderlaan


    Contact Us

Submit

Would you like to become a member of Valley River Arts Guild and support the arts in the Murphy, NC area?
​Are you willing to work a minimum of 12 days a year in the guild's gallery store promoting sales and the art community, while serving on at least 1 standing committee?

If you are an artist or crafter in the Murphy or surrounding area of North Georgia or North Carolina and would like to join us in making the Murphy Art Center, the Town of Murphy, and Cherokee County an art destination:
  1. Download and read the membership form below.
  2. Complete the membership application.
  3. Contact the Valley River Arts Guild volunteer listed in the form to schedule an orientation/training session.
  4. Bring your artwork to hang or display with you to your orientation/training session.

If you have any questions concerning membership with Valley River Arts Guild, stop by the Gallery at 12 Peachtree Street, downtown Murphy, send us an email at [email protected], or call 828-360-3038.

Our Mission Statement: The Valley River Arts Guild was formed in March 2010 to serve the artistic community of the region by showcasing regional arts, providing opportunities for regional artisans to show and sell their work, developing an artists’ network and by sponsoring monthly art events to establish the region as an arts destination.

Below is the current Valley River Arts Guild member application for

our new fiscal year,September 1st, 2025 - August 31st, 2026.   

Download the form, print, read and fill it out, and return to The MAC,

Murphy Art Center. Be sure to also contact the person in charge of

​training. You can also ask for a printed copy at The MAC. Thank you!
Valley River Arts Guild Membership Form 2025-2026




Valley River Arts Guild operates as a
501(c)3 non-profit arts organization
for Western North Carolina and
​North Georgia in Murphy North Carolina.
© 2022 Valley River Arts Guild, All Rights Reserved
The MAC, Murphy Art Center
™

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  • ~ About Us ~
  • ~ Adult Classes ~
  • ~ Youth Classes ~
  • ~ Murphy Art Walk ~
  • ~ The Murphy Art Xplosion ~
  • ~ Meet Our Members ~
  • ~ SMArt Tour: Smoky Mountain Art Studio Tour ~
  • ~ Legacy Support: Living and Lasting ~
  • ~ Our Impact in the Community ~