14th Annual Ellen Cook Gaskin Memorial Nature At Its Best Art Competition & Show
2022-09-14 - 2022-10-08 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Calendar of events
Art Delivery dates:
• Friday, September 9th, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, September 10th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Show opens:
• Wednesday, September 14th – 12:00 PM
Awards and art pickup:
• Saturday, October 8th, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Categories and Awards
Both 2-D & 3-D art will be accepted & judged in this show. (2-D art includes photography.)
• First place – $400
• Second place – $300
• Third place – $200
• Honorable mentions – 4 @ $25 each
• Members’ Choice – $200
Entry Fees:
Artists may enter up to 4 pieces total. Fees are as listed below:
• Stanly Arts Guild members – up to 2 pieces – $30; $10 each for up to 2 additional entries
• Non-members – up to 2 pieces – $40; $15 each for up to 2 additional entries
Judge
The judge for the 13th Annual Ellen Cook Gaskin Memorial Nature At Its Best show will be announced at a later date.
The show prospectus will be available on this page & at the Stanly Arts Guild & Gifts store by the end of the 1st week of August, 2022.

The 17th Annual Ellen Cook Gaskin Nature At Its Best Art Competition and Show
2025-09-03 - 2025-09-27 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
The “Nature at its Best” exhibition and competition was created by the Gaskin brothers, Jeff, Chuck, David, Bob and Paul, to promote the visual arts in Stanly County and the Uwharrie region of North Carolina. They also sponsor the show each year, providing all prize money for the winners, as well as funding for the show reception. These wonderful sons of Ellen Cook Gaskin and Dr. John S. Gaskin Jr. of Albemarle have made this show an annual event as a memorial to their mother. Ellen Cook Gaskin had a deep appreciation for both art and nature and she shared that love and appreciation with her family. Through this show, her sons have chosen to honor her and to encourage artists to create expressions of “Nature at Its Best”.
All entries reflect a nature theme. Works depicting Fish, Feather, Fur, Field, Forest, or Flower are accepted.

Glass Stepping Stone Class
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
As a former student of Craig Kennedy, Jessica has worked with glass off and on for over 20 years, and has taught others the art of working with glass. This stepping stone class is an introduction for students interested in glass. Skills explored: cutting straight lines in glass, use of glass grinder, molding a stepping stone.
Students will need to wear:

eye protection
closed toe shoes
students will not be allowed to cut glass without eye protection and closed-toe shoes.

Come by The Guild Store to reserve and pay for your spot in this class. Space is limited.

Final Day for Member's Choice voting
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
The entries for the 17th Annual Ellen Cook Gaskin Memorial Nature At Its Best Art Competition and Show are on display at the Stanly Arts Guild! The judging has been completed, the ribbons and comments are on view…. however, who will win Member’s Choice???
Stanly Arts Guild Members are able to vote for their choice until today, September 20th, 2025. Who will they select??

Creative Thursdays!
2025-09-25 11:00 - 17:45 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Sometimes, creativity flows better when we are away from our daily lives…
During normal business hours, The Classroom Space can be used as a place to create! Grab a coffee or lunch from a local hotspot, explore art without chores calling you, and have the best day ever! (Maybe even a chair massage across the street afterwards…) The Classroom Space doesn’t care if your laundry is still in the dryer!
Grab a friend! Create! Share!
Please follow the Classroom Rules.
Space is subject to Room Reservation.

Barn Quilt Painting Class
2025-09-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
With over 30 years of experience as a quilter, a former teacher, and as a former student of Suzi Parron (author of Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement), Tiffany is excited to offer this popular class to our area.A Class Fee of $55 includes $30 for the cost of supplies, a 2’x2′ primed piece of outdoor grade sign wood and all paint needed to create your masterpiece.
Students will need to bring:

1″ green painters’ tape
a pencil and eraser
a yardstick or long
straight edge at least 24″ in length
a hairdryer

Call Stanly Arts Guild during business hours to check for class space and reserve your spot. Payment is accepted on day of class; however, due to waitlists, the instructors asks that you notify The Guild by the day before if plans changed and you are not able to attend so that waitlisted individuals may be contacted.

Due to a power outage, we needed to reschedule Saturday’s class… the good news is that is was rescheduled into 2 new class dates, and there is now space available. Thank you for your understanding!

Artist Reception with The Gaskin Family
2025-09-27 18:00 - 19:30 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Light refreshments will be served to honor the winners of the 17th Annual Ellen Cook Gaskin Nature At Its Best Exhibition & Competition, as well as a meet and greet with members of the Gaskin Family who sponsor the show in memory of their late mother.Marshall Davis will demonstrate his falcon handling skills at the Artist Reception f0r the 17th Annual Ellen Cook Gaskin Nature At Its Best Art Exhibition & Competition this Saturday night at 6:30 pm. He is an acrylic artist from Ellerbe, NC, who specializes in nature scenes. In addition to his artistic talent, he is also a nature guide and falconer. Marshall is an Honorable Mention winner in the current Nature At Its Best show, and recently won Member’s Choice in the Summer At Its Best show.

Make A Bid For The Cure
2025-10-01 - 2025-11-08 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in women. In short, it will touch someone you know until there is a cure.
Each October, The Stanly Arts Guild donates items for silent auction to raise funds to support local free mammograms.
The donations kickoff will start October 1st-4th, and continue to be accepted throughout October. However, the longer an item is available to bid on, the more opportunities there will be to raise funds for an amazing cause. Final bidding day (November 8th) will have light refreshments served while bidders have the opportunity to make their final offers. Follow Stanly Arts Guild on Facebook as items going up for auction are added to view.
We would like to continue to support The Stanly Health Foundation providing local free mammograms: All proceeds will go to Stanly Health Foundation for their Free Mammogram Program.

Barn Quilt Painting Class
2025-10-01 11:00 - 15:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States

Creative Thursdays
2025-10-02 11:00 - 17:45, 2025-10-09 11:00 - 17:45, 2025-10-16 11:00 - 17:30, 2025-10-23 11:00 - 17:30, 2025-10-30 11:00 - 17:30 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
During normal business hours on Thursdays, the classroom is open for those who want to just hang out and create together. No formal instruction… just a time to create, be around other creatives, and bounce ideas off of one another without trying to find your dining table. The classroom doesn’t care if that laundry is still in the dryer! It just asks you to be respectful and create.

Barn Quilt Painting Class
2025-10-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Due to a power outage, we needed to reschedule to class from Saturday, Sep 27th. On the bright side, there are now 2 dates for makeup sessions, and thus more spaces available. No need to miss out!

With over 30 years of experience as a quilter, a former teacher, and as a former student of Suzi Parron (author of Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement), Tiffany is excited to offer this popular class to our area.A Class Fee of $55 includes $30 for the cost of supplies, a 2’x2′ primed piece of outdoor grade sign wood and all paint needed to create your masterpiece.
Students will need to bring:

1″ green painters’ tape
a pencil and eraser
a yardstick or long
straight edge at least 24″ in length
a hairdryer

Call Stanly Arts Guild during business hours to check for class space and reserve your spot. Payment is accepted on day of class; however, due to waitlists, the instructors asks that you notify The Guild by the day before if plans changed and you are not able to attend so that waitlisted individuals may be contacted.

Children's Clay Sculpture Class: Part 1
2025-10-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Carol Hill is hosting a 2-part Air Dry Clay Sculpting Class for children ages 8-12. The $12.50 fee covers both parts in the series. Part 1: Oct 25, Part 2: Nov 1

Vicki Galloway Face Painting
2025-10-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Alameda Theater, 147 N. 2nd St, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
One of our talented artists is also a face painter! Vicki can be found at many events throughout the area. Come be her canvas!
She will be sharing her talent at the City of Albemarle Downtown Trick or Treating. Look for her near the Alameda Theater on 2nd St.

Vicki Galloway Face Painting
2025-10-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Big Lick Baptist Church, 626 Big Lick Road, Oakboro, NC, 28129, United States
One of our talented artists is also a face painter! Vicki can be found at many events throughout the area. Come be her canvas! She will be sharing her talent at the Big Lick Baptist Church Fall Festival.

Vicki Galloway Face Painting
2025-11-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Cabarrus Arena, 4759 State Hwy 49, Concord, NC, 28025, United States
One of our talented artists is also a face painter! Vicki can be found at many events throughout the area. Come be her canvas! She will be sharing her talent at the Touch-A-Truck.

Children's Clay Sculpture Class: Part 2
2025-11-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States

New Store Hours!
2025-11-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Starting November 1st, we are changing our store hours a little bit. We will now be open on Tuesdays, and extending hours on Saturdays. We hope to see you soon!!

Vicki Galloway Face Painting
2025-11-01 16:00 - 17:00 | NC
One of our talented artists is also a face painter! Vicki can be found at many events throughout the area. Come be her canvas!
She will be sharing her talent for a short time at El Ranchito!

The Art of Jubal & Kenly Strube
2025-11-04 - 2026-01-31 | Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 26032-B Newt Road, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Stanly Arts Guild is honored to present an exhibition of selected artwork by Jubal and Kenly Strube of Strube’s Creative Studio. Now available for viewing at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. We hope you are able to spend some time to enjoy their work.
Jubal Strube:
Born in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, Jubal Strube discovered a passion for the arts during middle school: a spark that grew into a lifelong dedication to creativity and expression. This early love for artistic exploration guided Jubal toward formal training in the visual arts, beginning with an Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Concord, NC 2016.
Continuing to develop both skill and vision, Jubal Strube earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019. To further merge a love of art with a passion for education, Jubal Strube completed a Teaching Certificate at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2024.
Since 2023, Jubal Strube has served as a Visual Arts Teacher at West Stanly High School, inspiring young artists to explore their creativity and build confidence through artistic practice. Jubal’s work and teaching emphasize the importance of personal expression, technical growth, and the transformative power of the arts in everyday life.
Kenly Strube:
Kenly Strube grew up in the rural town of Olivia, NC. Her passion for creativity and the arts started when she was young and matured as she went through high school. She obtained her BFA in Studio Art at UNC Chapel Hill in 2019. Kenly demonstrates an illustrative style: emphasizing her passion for nature, video games, and fantasy through her art and style. Her career path has evolved over time, ranging from theatre props creator, to currently the visual arts teacher at South Stanly High School.

Recently, Kenly and her husband, Jubal Strube, have started a small business together, Strube’s Creative Studio, by completing customers creative needs. Services range from custom pet portraits, film restoration, murals, and much more!

Creative Thursdays!
2025-11-06 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-13 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-20 12:00 - 16:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States

Make A Bid For The Cure: Final Day!
2025-11-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in women. In short, it will touch someone you know until there is a cure.
Each October, The Stanly Arts Guild donates items for silent auction to raise funds to support local free mammograms.
Final bidding day (November 8th) to claim your item! Don’t let someone else claim your prize! and don’t let cancer win.
Light refreshments served while bidders have the opportunity to make their final offers. Follow Stanly Arts Guild on Facebook as items going up for auction are added to view.
We would like to continue to support The Stanly Health Foundation providing local free mammograms: All proceeds will go to Stanly Health Foundation for their Free Mammogram Program.

From Our Hands: Holiday Craft Show
2025-11-12 - 2026-01-03 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
The Holiday Craft Show features locally made items for purchase. We are excited to bring more opportunities to Shop Local, Shop Small, and Give Handmade. Come by The Stanly Arts Guild for more information, or join our Stanly Arts Guild private group where Prospectuses can also be found.

Handmade Market
2025-11-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Stanly Arts Guild and Gifts, 330 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
Stanly Arts Guild Handmade Market

Allen’s BBQ

The Handmade Market will be a single day outdoor marketplace of local artisans showcasing handmade items for sale. For 2025 only, we are waiving the booth fee! That means 100% profit for the vendor! We are excited to bring more opportunities to Shop Local, Shop Small, Give Handmade. Come by The Guild for more information, or join our Stanly Arts Guild private group where Prospectuses can also be found.

Vicki Galloway Face Painting
2025-11-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Market Station, 501 West Main Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001, United States
One of our talented artists is also a face painter! Vicki can be found at many events throughout the area. Come be her canvas!
She will be sharing her talent at Market Station.
