Updated: 7:12 PM EST Feb 28, 2021
Ford Hatchett
On Sunday, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County partnered with ByGood Coffee to provide several local artists an opportunity to showcase their talents.In an outdoor event, which the arts council initially expected to include no more than eight artists, in Winston-Salem, more than a dozen artists came gathered to show off their paintings, jewelry, fashion and even music."A lot of the artists that reached out are artists that I wasn’t familiar with," Arts Council Programs and Events Manager Shannon Stokes said. "I’m very happy and grateful.”She hopes the day provided some exposure to talented locals."We are the city of arts and innovation. We’re still here," Stokes said. "Times are hard for all of us but especially artists that rely on events and venue opportunities to make money.”Local fashion designer Ashley Dula was on hand to display her "Do you love" apparel line."We put our love, heart, sweat, tears, everything into it," Dula said. "So when you do make a purchase, know that it's not a corporation — it's someone that’s near and dear in the neighborhood, in the community.”ByGood coffee owner Abbey Garner said they’ve already begun thinking about their next art pop-up event, which they hope will be even larger once the weather warms up."To give people the opportunity to come out and share their talent with other people and bring the community together," Garner said. "Because that’s most important. For the community to come together and for everyone to know what’s going on in their community.”And though they don’t yet have a date in mind for the next art pop-up, any local artists interested in participating can contact the arts council to become involved.