Join us for this self-guided tour of lovely outdoor living spaces across the county and see the outside "artistry" that has been created. 

The Cleveland County Artist Competition provides local artists with an opportunity to showcase their work and compete for prizes and recognition. This competition typically includes a variety of media, such as painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and other visual arts.

The competition is open to artists 18+ of all skill levels, and it provides a great opportunity for artists to network and connect with other artists in the community. It also offers a chance for art lovers to discover new talent and appreciate the diverse range of art created by local artists.

If you are an artist or an art lover in the Shelby area, the Cleveland County Artist Competition is a great event. Whether you are entering the competition or simply attending as a spectator, you are sure to be inspired and impressed by the quality and variety of art on display!

The Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased to announce that the Art of Sound Music Festival will return this year on June 14. Art of Sound supports local and regional musicians and is a gift to the community from the Arts Council.  You will have the opportunity to hear a variety of FREE music throughout the day and into the evening. In partnership with the Earl Scruggs Center, the music will begin at 11 a.m.  The stage will be set outside of 111 S Washington Street on the Court Square in Shelby, NC.

The festival will be headlined by Emmy-nominated group Gangstagrass, showcasing their unique sound combining bluegrass and hip hop. Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Gangstagrass features MCs R-Son and Dolio the Sleuth, producer and guitarist Rench, Dan Whitener on banjo, and B.E. Farrow on fiddle. The group is known for performing the theme song “Long Hard Times to Come” for the FX series “Justified,” in addition to multiple #1 debuts on the Billboard Bluegrass charts. They were also quarter-finalists on “America’s Got Talent” in 2021. Gangstagrass’ set at Art of Sound will tentatively begin at 7:30 p.m.. 

The music will begin on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with Pickin’ on the Square, presented by the Earl Scruggs Center. Local acoustic trio Finkelstein Three will perform, followed by a community jam session open to pickers of all levels and ages. A drum circle led by Crest Middle School music teacher Justin Harper will get underway at 1:30 p.m. Singer-songwriter Angela Easterling from Greer, S.C. will step up to the stage at 3 p.m. with her rootsy, homespun tunes. A long-awaited reunion from local favorite quartet Mama Said is set for 4:30 p.m., with founding members Sandy Carlton, Phil Ruff, Nancy Owen, and Randy Saxon playing together once again. Next Level Band of Charlotte will bring their party-infused energy to the stage at 6 p.m., covering hits from classic rock, funk, Motown, and more. 

The full day of free music will be accompanied by local food trucks selling refreshments, including Hopper’s Soul Food and Catering and Little Annie Waffles. Art of Sound has something for everyone – a variety of musical genres, family entertainment, food, friends, and lots of music. All of the performances are FREE and folks are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, picnics, and spend the day Uptown. Attendees are invited to visit the Cleveland County Artist Competition and Exhibit in the gallery of the Arts Council, which will be open to the public for the duration of Art of Sound.

Our goal is to showcase thought-provoking films and offer a venue where movie lovers who appreciate independent vision can celebrate this unique art form.

The Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased to announce that on July 23-26, 2025 the 26th Annual “Real to Reel International Film Festival” will once again open its doors to embrace filmmakers and film lovers alike.

Located in the heart of North Carolina between Asheville and Charlotte, Cleveland County is right in the middle of it all. The mission of the Real to Reel International Film Festival is to offer a forum for independent film, video, and multi-media artists from around the world to showcase their talents and expose the works of these artists to our region.

Visitors to the Joy Performance Center - 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, a renovated classic theater from the 1940’s in Kings Mountain, NC can expect to find a great lineup of films from all over the world, a chance to talk with many of the filmmakers and of course a concession stand with all those goodies you would expect to find.

Fun family friendly chalk event on the court square monetary awards Fun for ALL! Registration begins at 8:30am, drawing ends at Noon, judging begins immediately after drawing ends and awards will be announced when the judges are finished deliberating.
You will receive a box of chalk with your registration but you can bring your own chalk too.