Another Successful Year for the Arts Mount Holly Festival
The Arts Mount Holly Festival 2026 filled downtown Mount Holly with creativity, conversation, and community during the weekend of June 5–6. Hosted by Arts Mount Holly, a subcommittee of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation (MHCDF), the two-day, three-part festival brought together local artists, businesses, residents, and visitors for a weekend dedicated to celebrating the arts in our community.
The festival began on Friday evening during Mount Holly's Summer Concert Series. As concertgoers enjoyed live music in downtown, eight local artists showcased their work throughout the downtown district, offering visitors an exciting preview of the weekend ahead. Several artists also displayed pieces that would later be featured in the Juried Art Show, giving attendees an early glimpse at the incredible talent on display throughout the festival. The combination of live music, local art, and a vibrant downtown atmosphere created the perfect kickoff to an exciting weekend.
Saturday's Art Crawl transformed downtown Mount Holly into a walkable gallery experience. More than 20 artists set up inside local businesses and galleries, where they displayed, demonstrated, and sold their artwork while interacting with visitors throughout the day.
Outline of Artists & Business Locations for the Art Crawl
This year's Art Crawl was proudly presented by Traust Brewing, whose support helped make this community-wide celebration of the arts possible.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Art Crawl is the partnership with our downtown businesses. Their willingness to open their doors and support local artists creates a unique experience that encourages visitors to explore downtown while discovering the incredible creative talent our region has to offer. These collaborations continue to strengthen the connection between the arts and our local business community.
Following the Art Crawl on Saturday, visitors gathered for the highly anticipated Juried Art Show, one of the festival's signature events. Presented by The Vintage Nest, this year's Juried Art Show centered around the theme "Roots & Branches." Artists were invited to explore how natural ecosystems mirror human communities—how families, cultures, and neighborhoods grow like forests, with roots grounded in history and branches reaching toward the future. The theme encouraged artists to reflect on intergenerational connections and ecological systems, resulting in a remarkable variety of creative interpretations.
More than 30 artists participated in this year's exhibition, submitting over 70 pieces for consideration. The gallery was filled with exceptional creativity, making it one of the strongest shows to date.
Our juror, Liz Fitzgerald, carefully explored each work, taking time to appreciate the craftsmanship, creativity, and interpretation behind every submission. Selecting the winners was no easy task, and we are incredibly grateful for the thoughtful care she brought to the judging process.
2026 Juried Art Show Award Winners
First Place
Cary Caldwell — Uganda Girl
Second Place
Rachel Haungs — Jagged Tree 2
Third Place
Brianna Casini — Asahi
Honorable Mentions
Bree Stallings — Impossible Realities in the Lunar Year
Melvin Nix — Fertile Ground
Shamsad Rahman — Rigel
People's Choice Award
Visitors to the exhibit also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork on display. Congratulations to Stephanie McLaughlin, whose work earned this year's People's Choice Award. This award is especially meaningful because it reflects the appreciation and admiration of those who experienced the exhibit firsthand.
Looking Ahead
We love bringing the Arts Mount Holly Festival to our community each year and are continually amazed by how the talent continues to evolve and grow. Every festival introduces new artists, fresh perspectives, and inspiring works that make this event a true celebration of creativity and connection.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to every artist who shared their work, our presenting sponsors Traust Brewing and The Vintage Nest, the downtown businesses that welcomed artists into their spaces, our volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, our additional sponsors, juror Liz Fitzgerald, and everyone who attended throughout the weekend. Your support is what makes this event possible year after year.
Planning has already begun for the Arts Mount Holly Festival 2027, and we're excited to announce next year's Juried Art Show theme: "Rust & Shine." We cannot wait to welcome artists and visitors back next spring for another unforgettable weekend celebrating art, community, and downtown Mount Holly.
Until then, thank you for supporting the arts in Mount Holly. We'll see you in 2027!