SilverArts

Discover the artistic talents of our community through the SilverArts competition! This vibrant showcase highlights the exceptional skills and creativity of local artists across Wake County. Participants are invited to submit their work in one of five exciting categories:

  • Literary Arts: Expressive poetry, short stories, essays, and more.

  • Visual Arts: Stunning paintings, drawings, photography, and other visual masterpieces.

  • Heritage Arts: Traditional crafts and creations such as quilting, woodworking, and basket weaving.

  • Performing Arts: Dynamic dance routines, musical performances, theatrical acts, and other stage artistry.

  • Cheerleading Showcase: Spirited and energetic cheerleading performances.

The celebration culminates at our annual SilverArts Follies, held at the Garner Performing Arts Center. This inspiring event features a gallery-style display of submitted works and live performances on stage, offering a full spectrum of artistic expression.

Whether you're an artist ready to share your talent or an enthusiast eager to experience the creative energy of our community, we encourage you to join us. Compete, create, and cheer, or simply come to admire and support—the SilverArts competition has something for everyone!

Watch the 2025 SilverArts Follies Performance

Click here to view our performances!

Watch the performance in full, or check out each individual act!

SilverArts Follies 2026 @ Garner Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, April 15

Doors open at 3:00pm

Show begins at 4pm

*light refreshments will be served

742 West Garner Rd.

Garner, NC 27529

Rules and Eligibility

Individuals aged 50 and better from across the Triangle region are invited to participate in this exciting showcase of creativity and skill. Residency in Wake County is not required, but participants must be North Carolina residents for at least three consecutive months of the year.

This event highlights original works created by artists aged 50 and older. All submissions must be newly crafted after reaching age 50 and completed within the last two years. Whether you're a seasoned creator or exploring your artistic side, the Senior Games are your opportunity to shine! The full listing of criteria for SilverArts 2026 can be found here.

Click here to view the SILVERARTS SPECIFIC CATEGORY REQUIREMENTS
  • Heritage Arts entries are divided via the following sub-categories:

    • Basket Weaving: Interlacing pliable materials like reeds or grasses into 3D containers.

    • Crocheting: Creating fabric by using a single hooked needle to interconnect yarn loops.

    • General Fiber Arts: Art using natural or synthetic fibers; must include a technique like sewing, felting, or knitting.

    • Jewelry: Designing wearable adornments using metals, beads, gemstones, or other decorative media.

    • Knitting: Producing fabric by using needles to intermesh loops of yarn in a structured sequence.

    • Needlework: Decorative textile crafts worked with a needle, such as embroidery or needlepoint.

    • Quilting (hand-stitched): Quilts constructed and finished using only hand-stitching.

    • Quilting (machine-stitched): Quilts constructed using any amount of machine stitching.

    • Stained Glass: Cutting and joining colored glass with lead or foil to create patterns.

    • Tole/Decorative Painting: Folk art painting of designs on tin, wood, or household objects.

    • Pottery-Thrown & Hand Built: Clay objects shaped by hand or wheel and hardened by heat.

    • Weaving: Interlacing threads on a loom; includes the craft of chair caning.

    • Woodcarving: Shaping wood by cutting or burning (includes wood burning/pyrography).

    • Woodturning: Using a lathe to rotate wood while using tools to cut symmetrical shapes.

    • Wood working: Building or joining wood for functional or decorative items; the primary category for wood art that is not carved or turned.

    Each piece must be the work of the individual, not a group effort. One entry per category. Patterns may be used, but no stamped pieces will be accepted. Framed work must be securely wired and ready to be hung (no serrated hooks or string). Framed works can be no larger than 36″ x 42″, including matting and frame and no heavier than 40 pounds. Prohibited Items: No Kits, i.e. Diamond Art, Latch Hook, anything that is pre-designed/pre-cut or commercially produced.

  • Literary Arts entries are divided via the following sub-categories:

    • Essay (not autobiographical): Nonfiction writing examining a specific theme or academic topic.

    • Life Experience: A personal narrative written by the author about their own life.

    • Poems: Writing characterized by rhythm and imagery, often arranged in stanzas.

    • Short Story (fiction): Brief prose focusing on a self-contained incident or narrative.

    Please note: only one entry per category. All entries must be typed and double spaced on an 8.5′ x 11″ page with a minimum of 1″ margins and a minimum font height of 10. Poems cannot exceed 40 lines typed; Short Stories, Life Experiences and Essays cannot exceed eight pages.

  • Visual Arts entries are divided via the following sub-categories:

    • Acrylics: Paintings using fast-drying pigments in an acrylic polymer emulsion.

    • Digital Art: Art created via technology, including digital painting and photomanipulation.

    • Drawing: Creating marks on a surface using tools like pencils, charcoal, or ink.

    • Mixed Media 2D: Multi-medium art (paint, cloth, etc.) viewed from one side, like collages.

    • Mixed Media 3D: Multi-medium art viewed from multiple sides or in the round, like sculpture.

    • Oil Painting: Artworks using pigments bound with drying oil, such as linseed.

    • Pastels: Art created using sticks of powdered pigment bound with gum or resin.

    • Photography (Digital): Images captured and recorded via digital sensors.

    • Photography (Film): Images captured and recorded via light-sensitive chemical film.

    • Sculpture: Shaping figures in 3D by carving, modeling, casting, or welding.

    • Watercolor: Painting using pigments suspended in a water-based solution.

    Entries in Drawing, Painting or Photography must not exceed 36″ x 42″ including matting and frame and no heavier than 40 pounds. Entries must be framed and wired for hanging. No serrated hooks or string. Two-dimensional artwork not properly framed and wired will be disqualified. Staff and volunteers have the right to refuse artwork not framed properly.

    Sculptures can not exceed the following dimensions – height 60″, width 36″, length 36″ and weigh no more than 50 pounds.

  • Performing Arts entries are divided via the following sub-categories:

    • Comedy/ Drama: A solo or group performance of a monologue, scene, or skit, either humorous or dramatic.

    • Dance: A rhythmic stage performance in any style (ballet, tap, jazz, etc.), excluding line dancing.

    • Instrumental: A musical performance using one or more instruments without vocal accompaniment.

    • Line Dancing: A choreographed dance with repeated steps, performed by a group in one or more lines.

    • Vocal: A musical performance focusing on singing, performed a cappella or with instrumental backing.

    Some of these sub-categories are divided into solo, small group and large group sections.

  • Cheerleading is described as a performance by individuals or groups who lead cheers through rhythmic vocal patterns and/or present choreographed routines. Cheerleading entries are divided via the following sub-categories:

    • Small group (2-4 member squad)

    • Medium group (5-9 member squad)

    • Large Group (10+ member squad)

    Each group has a four (4) minute maximum length of time for their act, and each squad must have a Head Cheerleader identified to be the communication liaison between staff and remaining squad members. The Cheerleader Showcase will be included as a part of the Follies on stage.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Ultimately, the choice is yours! We follow the same guidelines that are used at State Finals. We will refer back to those guidelines, and will talk with you about the details - but you will have to decide which category best fits your piece.

  • Attending this event is completely free of charge! We encourage everyone to bring friends, family, and neighbors—because the more, the merrier!

    While the event is free, there are opportunities to support a great cause. If you'd like to donate to the Wake County Senior Games, please reach out to us at wakecountyseniorgames@gmail.com for more information. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference in our community!

  • Please note that artwork will not be sold during the Follies event. If you’re interested in a specific piece, we encourage you to connect directly with the artist for more information. Thank you for supporting our talented creators!

  • We kindly ask all attendees to admire the artwork with their eyes only. Please do not touch any of the pieces on display to ensure they remain in pristine condition for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for your understanding!

  • While refreshment options may vary, we typically serve coffee and cookies for attendees to enjoy. Come sip, snack, and savor the experience with us!

  • A ramped walkway is available at the main entrance for patrons unable to climb stairs. Access throughout the facility is all on one level with no interior steps.  The stage is accessible via a ramp located house right.

  • The GPAC seating arrangement is auditorium style, and is equipped with six wheelchair accessible seat locations (four spaces along the front row, two spaces along the back row). The four along the front row include adjacent seats with lifting arms for patrons who would like to transfer to a fixed house seat

  • Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Headsets with earbuds or induction neckloops are available free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis and can be picked-up in the main lobby. Guest using the neckloops must have hearing aids and cochlear implants with a "T" switch.  Ask your audiologist whether your hearing aid or cochlear implant has a "T" switch (telecoil) and how to use it with an assistive listening headset. 

  • The GPAC has an ample amount of free on-site parking for all events.  Please note the facility does share parking with 45 senior apartments located in the facility. Parking in "Resident Only" spaces is discouraged and reserved for residents of the facility.  Overflow parking lots can be located adjacent to the GPAC at 117 Avery St.

  • Patrons with limited mobility may be dropped off at the main entrance.

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