Our Story

The Boylan Heights ArtWalk began in 1992 as a grassroots neighborhood event, born from the creative spirit of one of Raleigh’s oldest and most artistic communities. What started with roughly ten participating neighbors quickly became something much larger - a beloved annual tradition rooted in art, craftsmanship, and connection.
 
In its earliest days, ArtWalk was organized by local artist Nan, a painter known at the time for her alphabet samplers and commissioned works, alongside co-organizer Margaret Hilpert, a fiber artist and dedicated community member. Together, they envisioned an event that brought art out of traditional gallery spaces and into the neighborhood itself. Front lawns, porches, and driveways became informal exhibition spaces, inviting visitors to wander the tree-lined streets of Boylan Heights and discover creativity around every corner.
 
Nan and Margaret organized the event through 1995, when Nan and her husband relocated to Chicago. Around that time, Carrie Knowles - who had been involved early on - stepped into a leadership role, joined by Elizabeth Dunbar as co-organizer. Under their stewardship, ArtWalk continued to grow, strengthening its reputation as a thoughtfully curated, artist-centered event. For many years, ArtWalk ran from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., until 2009, when the start time was moved to noon in response to artist feedback - a small shift that reflected the organizers’ ongoing commitment to listening and evolving.
 
Over time, ArtWalk expanded to include dozens of artists from across North Carolina, selected through a juried process to ensure a diverse and high-quality showcase of work. Today, the event welcomes thousands of visitors each December and features an array of mediums - from painting, pottery, and photography to jewelry, metalwork, fiber art, and mixed media - all set within the historic homes and spaces that make Boylan Heights so special.
 
The ArtWalk awards are named in honor of Elizabeth Dunbar, a longtime co-chair and devoted volunteer who remained deeply involved with the event even after leadership transitioned to a new generation. Following her passing around 2019, the committee chose to name the awards in her memory - a tribute to her lasting impact on ArtWalk and the community she cared for so deeply.
 
More than three decades later, Boylan Heights ArtWalk remains what it has always been at heart: a celebration of creativity, neighborhood spirit, and shared experience. While the event has grown and evolved, its foundation remains the same - art brought directly to the people, connection made in real spaces, and the joy of discovery close to home.