Public Art

Self-Guided Public Art Tour

Public Art Collections

GLOW

Animated floral art projection on the front on the Ivey Ellington house GLOW is an annual temporary outdoor display of technology and light installations on view in Downtown Cary, January - March. These pop-up installations illuminate the darkest part of winter, surprising and delighting viewers when the artworks are discovered. GLOW will create a dynamic sense of place that adds energy to the street environment, creating memories and moments of celebration for all who encounter each work of art. The annual Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade will kick-off this year's GLOW outdoor exhibition on Saturday, January 16, 2027 at 6pm in Downtown Cary Park!

Temporary Public Art Projects

Locations of Public Art

Gallery Exhibitions

Christine Hager Braun's art quilt show in the Cary Arts Center Gallery

Gallery Exhibitions

The Town of Cary announces solo and group art exhibition opportunities at Page Walker Arts & History Center, Cary Arts Center, and other facilities around town. Artists working in any medium are invited to submit an application anytime.

Application deadlines are February 1 and August 1, 2026.

Download an application, pick one up at Page-Walker Arts & History Center or Cary Arts Center, or contact Denise Dickens, public art coordinator.

Exhibition Application Guide: A guide for how to put an application together, and how to make your work look its best.

Artist Registry and Image Bank

aGALLERY_Yayoi by Sandra Bruce HEROES

The Cary Visual Artist Directory is a centralized place to find visual artists in Cary for those researching local artists, wishing to engage their services, and/or see more about the artist and their artwork.

This directory will be a pilot, and if, after evaluation of the site, services, and feedback from both artists and consumers of the artist’s information, we envision it could be a resource for finding visual artists living and working in our community in order to promote the arts in the Cary community.

Are you an artist interested in having your work added to the directory?

Fill out the form today!

Public Art Mentorship Program

How to apply for the: Public Art Mentorship Program

At the recommendation of the Public Art Advisory Board, the Public Art Program of the Town of Cary wishes to expand its Artist Registry to include emerging artists desiring to participate in a professional development mentoring program in Cary, North Carolina. Artists selected to participate in the program will be given the opportunity to work with an established public art professional on a public art commission for the Town of Cary and earn a stipend for their work. No prior public art experience is required. Artists interested in being considered for the program may submit application materials at any time. Artists will be selected by the lead artists and the Public Art Supervisor of the Town of Cary. Mentoring artists will select a limited number of emerging artists to interview prior to making a final selection. Our goal is to develop productive matches that are mutually beneficial to both parties.

Public Art in Private Development

Public art helps Cary create a highly-desirable sense of place and is facilitated by the Town’s Public Art Master Plan.

The Town's Site Design Standards encourage public art as a key element in the design of open public spaces. Additionally, the Standards support the installation of artwork that can be purely aesthetic or functional in nature. Public art can be integrated into building facades, landscaping, and street-scaping if created by artists as unique elements or limited editions. The purpose is to incorporate, at the planning or design stage, the ideas and work of artists in order to affect the highest standards of creativity and innovation in the planning and design of buildings and public spaces.

An application to incorporate public art into your development project is encouraged. Submit the application at the earliest possible phase of your Site Plans submittal for the Town's review. For more information, contact the Public Art Supervisor (919) 465-4791 to discuss your project.

Town of Cary

PUBLIC ART

3-Dimensional Collection

2-Dimensional Collection

Private Development Projects

Archived Public Art Master Plan (2001)