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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"Spring and Summer Photography & Digital Art Show"

On display now!

Artist receptions are Saturday, April 11th, and First Friday May 1st,


Public invited!

Show dates are April 2nd - May 5th. 

Valley River Arts Guild

The MAC, Murphy Art Center

​12 Peachtree Street, downtown Murphy, NC
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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!
​


To enter your artworks, click on the Call for Art button below!

Deadline for art file submissions: May 10th
Call for Art: MAX Project, Murphy Art Xplosion Show, "The Natural World"
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We're Ba-a-a-ack! 

Art Walk - First Friday - May 1 - Downtown Murphy.

This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC.

It's the first Art Walk of 2026 in downtown Murphy!

Come join the fun!

The streets and town square will be hopping with arts and crafts vendors.

There will be music (the AZUS Band) on the NEW downtown stage!

​Restaurants will be serving up their best, and shops will be open late.


Friday, May 1, from 5-8 pm.

Call The MAC at 828-360-3038 for more information.
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First Friday Art Walk Music
This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC.

Live music by the MAC at the 1st Friday Art Walk
is the "AZUS" Band" playing classic rock on the Square!


Live music inside the MAC
is Jim and Marci Wilcox
playing a mix of everyone's favorites!


Happening downtown, 5-8pm, Friday, May 1.
Bring your friends and family downtown to Murphy
to enjoy an evening full of 
music, dancing, singing, shopping, and dining!


Call The MAC for more information
 828-360-3038

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Free Event for all the Kiddies!

Art Walk Make and Take - Cork Mushroom!


A Very Special Event Promoted by The MAC.

Calling all kids ages 3-17. 
Join us to make and paint a cool mushroom from champagne corks.

(Parents, do not worry. There is no champagne.) 

The event runs from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 1st. 
Call The MAC at 828-360-3038 for more information.

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Murphy Spring Festival

This is a Special Event Promoted by The MAC

Come to the Murphy Spring Festival and
see us at the Murphy Art Center tent.


We will have information about adult and youth art classes,
how to join the Valley River Arts Guild,
how to become a teacher at the MAC, and much more!


Free make and take craft for kids of all ages (see below for more info).

The event is from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, May 2 
(Rain date is: Sunday, May 3)

Call The MAC at 828-360-3038 for more information.
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And another FREE EVENT for all the Kiddies
brought to you by The Murphy Art Center
(The MAC)
 


Murphy Spring Festival Make and Take - Yarn Monster!

Join us at the Murphy Spring Festival.
Find out who we are and all we offer
.

Kids will make a yarn monster from recycled goods. For kids ages 3-17.

The event is from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, May 2 
(Rain date: Sun, May 3) 
Call The MAC at 828-360-3038 for more information.
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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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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
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Calling all Artists! Click here for Plein Aire Affair Entry Form

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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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 ~