About the Festival

The Catawba Valley Festival of the Arts is a celebration of the creativity and talents of our visual, literary and performing artists and designers. The 2023 Festival was a pivotal year for the event, occuring in partnership with the Downtown Newton Development Association and the Lenoir Rhyne University "Art of Compassion" series. The Festival featured a theatrical reading of the anti-bullying themed musical, “Zazzie Sings” on September 29th at the Hickory Community Theatre and on September 30th at the Green Room Community Theatre. Main stage live music occured on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in Historic Downtown Newton in conjunction with the city of Newton's "Carolina Makers Market." In addition, the Festival honored local music legend Larry Simmons with a House Concert on the evening of September 30th at the historic Warlick House in Newton. Local businesses rounded out the art offerings with a showcase of visual art, musical performances and other exhibitions. All events except for the House Concert were FREE and open to the public!

The CVFA exposes the works of artists, performers, educators, and creative stewards and encourages participation from diverse organizations. The 2024 Festival events are in the planning phase so stay tuned and check back often! Past events have included:

  • Live musical performances from local musicians-- including Tiny Desk Concerts at the Main Catawba County Library.
  • Open mic sessions from songwriters, poets, playwrights, and authors.
  • Visual arts exhibits, including photography, sculpture, ceramics, film, painting and other compositional artwork.
  • A "Kindness Corridor", with interactive circles of activities that connect the Courthouse Square to the Catawba County Library festivities.
  • Theatrical performances from area performance stages and troupes.
  • Active participation experience to express and free yourself with dance and movement.
  • Sensory experiences from and at area culinary and beverage venues.

The mission of The Catawba Valley Festival of the Arts is to celebrate our distinctive, diverse, creative voices as we tell a bigger story that speaks to the magic of the Catawba Valley.

This Festival, from inception in 2020, has been supported by a grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County.


Join us as we celebrate the 2024 CVFA events! Click here for a look back at the 2023 schedule.

Live Music

There's nothing better than live music. It's raw energy, and raw energy feeds the soul. -- Dhani Jones
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Visual, Industrial & Graphic Arts

A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. -- Laozi
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Theater, Dance, Movement

Dance is your pulse, your heartbeat, your breathing. It's the rhythm of your life. It's the expression in time and movement, in happiness, joy, sadness and envy. -- Jacques d'Ambroise
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Literary Arts

One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words. -- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Culinary Arts

Eating is a necessity but cooking is an art...
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Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking for volunteers to help direct visitors and provide support as needed. Please email us at catawbavalleyfestivalofthearts@gmail.com if you or a group with which you are affiliated can help in any way.

Become a Sponsor

We welcome your contributions in whatever forms they may take. Please contact us