Aiken Center for the Arts

The Center features regular gallery exhibits by local, state, regional and national artists. A variety of artists display works for sale year-round in the Gallery Store. The Center also hosts events and offers art education classes for all ages in a variety of mediums throughout the year. The Center has 5 galleries as well as 7 classrooms for programs and a 180 seat performance pavilion. Rentals available.

Open Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm.

Shop

Shop at Aiken’s most unique gift shop. The Gallery Shop shop sells handcrafted artistic pottery that will spark your imagination, exquisite handcrafted necklaces, paintings that say “This is Aiken,” and a vast array of other works by local and regional artists. With an ever rotating selection that speaks to a variety of tastes in price ranges to fit every budget, each stop is a unique experience. Each purchase goes to promoting the arts in Aiken.

History

The Aiken Center for the Arts was founded as the Rose Hill Center for the Arts in 1972 by artists Nancy Wilds and Pat Koelker and was located at the Rose Hill estate on Barnwell Ave. In 2000, it was renamed as Aiken Center for the Arts and in 2004 moved to its current location on Laurens St.

#FunFact: Up for an equestrian themed treasure hunt? In 2004, the Aiken Center for the Arts asked local artists to create 32 horses. These horses were auctioned off to support scholarships and the Center. Today, nine of these horses are displayed around Aiken. Pick up a Horse Around Aiken map at the Aiken Center for The Arts and trot your way through Aiken. Bring your completed map back to Aiken Center for the Arts for a special token.