Uproar Festival of Public Art returns Aug. 1
The outdoor art exhibition features installations in Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill, including five on Carolina’s campus.
When the tragic flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal in July devastated many parts of Orange County and surrounding areas, the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough wasn’t spared. Managed by the Orange County Arts Commission, the mill serves as a hub for the local creative community and in addition to building damage, many artists’ works were destroyed by the unexpected flood waters.
“Our job as the arts council is to support our local artist community, which has been impacted by Chantal. Our artists are facing a tough road ahead, financially speaking, as they recover from this horrendous storm,” said Katie Murray, director of the Orange County Arts Commission. “Uproar — with its high-impact, accessible installations in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough — is a powerful and tangible reminder to the public about what we make possible as an organization, and why artists are at the heart of the character and economy of our community. The arts are more important than ever.”
After weeks of clean-up, there is hope for renewed positivity and purpose in the arts community as Orange County welcomes this year’s Uproar Festival of Public Art, which begins Aug. 1. First held in 2023, the festival returns to highlight outdoor artwork in downtown communities throughout the county and provides a great opportunity to support local businesses and restaurants along the way.
Here’s a closer look at this year’s festival, by the numbers.
Uproar Festival of Public Art features outdoor art exhibition features installations in Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill, including five on Carolina’s campus. “Moving Traditions — Art on Wheels,” by Sampada Agarwal of Morrisville is parked on a walkway outside Hanes Art Center.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
22: Days the festival will be open to the public
This year’s Uproar Festival will begin Friday, Aug. 1, with a free kick-off party at Eno River Brewing, and People’s Choice voting concludes Friday, Aug. 22.
3: Towns where you can find artwork installations
Festival attendees and casual passers-by alike will find works of outdoor art scattered throughout Orange County in downtown Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. On the first three Saturdays in August, hop on a free trolley ride to easily visit various locations.
60: Pieces of art featured in this year’s festival
Each town will showcase 20 large-scale, bold works of art that are outdoors and accessible to all. Look for pieces all hours of the day in parks, alleyways, sidewalks and on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill. Check out this map to help navigate it all.
Uproar Festival of Public Art features outdoor art exhibition features installations in Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill, including five on Carolina’s campus. The sculpture “Words of a Feather,” by Cricket Forge of Durham is near Hanes Art Center.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
5: Pieces on Carolina’s campus
Head over to the Hanes Art Center on campus just off Columbia Street to spot five pieces of art installed around the building and walkways:
- “Words of a Feather,” by Cricket Forge, Durham
- “Surface Attention,” by Carson Whitmore, Durham
- “Laugh With Me,” by Duane Abbott, Chapel Hill
- “Echoes of Elsewhere #2,” by Jane Cheek, Raleigh
- “Moving Traditions — Art on Wheels,” by Sampada Agarwal, Morrisville
140: Number of applications reviewed by festival organizers
The number of artists who applied to feature their work this year increased by 40% compared to the inaugural festival in 2023. Of the artists featured this year, 22 are returning participants.
6: Southeastern states represented by participating artists
Artists hail from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.
10,000: Dollar amount of both the People’s Choice and Jury Panel’s first-place prizes
Throughout the festival, attendees can score each work of art using a QR code next to each installation to help select a People’s Choice winner and runner-up. A jury panel comprised of three esteemed North Carolina-based artists will award first-place and runner-up prizes Aug. 23.
100: Event volunteers needed
Want to get involved? Volunteers are needed to help with artwork installation, greeting visitors, sharing promotional materials and more. Sign up to volunteer.
