Directory of the Arts
Clayton, North Carolina
Welcome to our director of artists and arts organizations in Clayton, North Carolina. If you would like to be included in this directory and you are a working artist or art organization in the Clayton, NC incorporated or unincorporated areas, please contact us at info@claytonarts.org. We know you are out there, we just haven’t met you yet.
Visual Arts Organizations
Clayton Visual Arts, Inc.
Type: Visual Arts (Nonprofit 501(c)(3))
Address: P.O. Box 698, Clayton, NC 27528
Services: Monthly 2D art exhibitions, free introductory art classes, plein air painting group, member shows
Meeting Location: The Clayton Center (Poole Room), 111 E 2nd St, Clayton
Website: https://claytonvisualarts.org/
Phone: Contact through website
Special Features: Supported by The Town of Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation and private donations
Artmosphere Community Arts Center
Type: Visual Arts, Music, Community Arts Center
Address: 3919 Raleigh Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Services: Art classes for all ages, clay studio, music lessons, gallery, event space, community garden
Website: https://www.artmospherecac.com/
Phone: Contact through website
Owner: Mandy McNulty
Special Features: Historic Walter R. & Eliza Smith Moore House, c.1835
Heart to Hand Gallery
Address: 472 East Second Street, Clayton, NC 27520
Website: https://heart2hands.art/
Phone: 919-359-9006
Public Arts Council of Clayton
Type: Visual & Public Arts Advisory Council
Affiliation: Town of Clayton
Services: Oversees public art initiatives, mural projects, sculptures, installations
Website: https://www.townofclaytonnc.org/
Special Features: Collaborates with artists, businesses, and citizens to integrate public art into community life
Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation
Type: Arts Foundation
Mailing Address: PO Box 879, Clayton, NC 27528
Location: 202 S Lombard St, Clayton, NC 27520
Services: Provides funding and support for Clayton Center, largely inactive.
Phone: (919) 553-1737
Website: https://www.theclaytoncenter.com/
Dance Schools & Studios
Carolina Dance Productions (CDP)
Type: Dance Studio
Location: Clayton, NC
Contact: info@cdpdance.com
Website: https://carolinadanceproductions.com/
Services: Dance classes for boys and girls, ages 2-adult
Ann Austin, Clayton School of Dance
Type: Dance Instructor / Artistic Director
Affiliation: Clayton School of Dance
Note: Founding instructor and choreographer leading various programs and productions
Phone: (919) 553-3635
SpiritJoy Dance
Type: Downtown Dance Studio, Ageless Ballet, GrooveBox, Youth Ballet
Location: Downtown Clayton, NC
Contact: lori@spiritjoydance.org
Phone: 919-289-9112
Website: https://spiritjoydance.org/
Special Programs: DEBA (Dance for Parkinson’s), free community classes
Dance Ascension
Type: Dance Studio
Location: Serves Garner & Clayton, NC
Website: https://danceascension.com/
Phone: Contact through website
Bada Bling Ballet
Type: Dance Studio (Performance-Based Ballet and Tap)
Location: Clayton, NC
Website: https://badablingballet.com/
Services: Dance instruction for all ages, seasonal performances, community engagement
Special Features: Known for inclusive, fun-based ballet and tap programming for children and adults
3D Dance
Type: Dance Studio
Location: 231 NC Hwy 42, Clayton, NC 27527
Phone: (919) 243-2929
Description: Offers classes in a variety of styles for all ages; known for competitive dance teams and community performances, space rental, birthday parties, swing dance
Riverwood Dance Academy
Type: Dance Studio
Location: 204 Cunningham Ln, Clayton, NC 27527
Phone: (919) 553-9907
Note: Permanently closed (per online sources)
Music
Clayton School of Creative Arts/Clayton Rocks
Address: 427 E Main St, Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: (919) 279-3581
Live music venue, music lessons and instruction
Neighborhood Academy of Music
Address: 112 Butternut Lane, Clayton, NC
Website: https://www.neighborhoodacademyofmusic.com/
Clayton Piano Festival
Jonathan Levin
https://www.claytonpianofestival.org/
ClaytonPianoFestival@gmail.com
Falls River Music School (Clayton Location)
Instructor: Steve Coon
Website: https://claytonguitarlessons.com/
Professor Travis Alford, ECU
Composer, Performer Educator
https://www.travisalford.com/
Musika Music Teachers
Website: https://www.musikalessons.com/music-lessons-clayton-nc
Academy of Music & Vocal Arts – Marie Spidali
Phone: 919-457-0430
Email: info@academymva.com
Website: https://academymva.com/
Bruce Nagelen
Type: Independent Musician
Location: Clayton, NC
Note: Performs at local venues and festivals; known for blues and jazz styles
Steve Taylor Robinson
Type: Private Music Instructor
Location: Clayton, NC
Description: Music lessons for voice and various instruments
Olivia Swart Piano Studio
Type: Private Piano Instruction
Location: Clayton, NC
Note: Specializes in teaching beginner and intermediate students
Hampton Music Institute
Type: Music Education Program
Location: Clayton, NC
Note: Focuses on youth music education with community outreach
Wolfgang Music Academy
Clayton, NC, United States, North Carolina
+1 919-578-4074
angiwolfgang@gmail.com
wolfgangmusicacademy.weebly.com
Theater Organizations
Clayton Theatricals
Type: Theater Company
Location: Clayton, NC
Website: https://claytontheatricals.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claytontheatricals/
Instagram: @claytontheatricals
Description: Private youth theater organization with aspirations for professional performances
Services: Theatrical productions, Summer Conservatory, Educational programs (acting, dance, singing, writing, technical classes)
Ages: 6–18
Special Features: Claytones program, community outreach to grade schools
Clayton High School Performing Arts
Type: Educational Theater Program
Location: Clayton, NC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaytonHighPerformingArts/
Services: Student performances and arts education
Unsanctioned Rehearsal Society
Type: Theater Collective
Location: Clayton, NC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unsanctionedrehearsalsociety
Description: Community-based theater group producing experimental and small-scale performances
Special Features: Focus on innovative and inclusive storytelling; often performs in non-traditional venues
The Woman’s Club of Clayton
Type: Community Organization / Cultural Arts — Mystery Dinner Theater & Fundraising Events
Address: 109 Church Street, Clayton, NC 27520
Phone (Ticket Info): Nancy at 815‑274‑4446
Website: https://twccnc.org/
Description: Hosts annual murder mystery theater in partnership with Clayton Theatricals, supports community scholarships and the arts
Supporting Organizations & Venues
American Legion Post #71
Address: 1300 Old US Hwy 70, Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: (919) 243-2563
Website: https://nclegionpost71.org/
Hours: Tue 9–11 AM & Wed 4:30–9 PM
Hosts: Free art classes, community events
The Clayton Center
Type: Cultural Arts Venue (Managed by the Town of Clayton)
Address: 111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Website: https://www.theclaytoncenter.com/
Services: A town facility presenting touring acts and rented for private events, meetings and recitals.
Special Features: Features out-of-town touring acts. Local art exhibits monthly put together by Clayton Visual Arts Rentals for 600 seat theater (starting at $1800 for 8 hours non-profit rate with Clayton Center keeping all door proceeds).
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Chi Xi Zeta Chapter
Type: Community Organization / Sorority
Address: P.O. Box 328, Clayton, NC 27528
Website: http://www.chixizeta.com/
Mission: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, Finer Womanhood
Activities: Arts-focused community outreach, youth mentorship, cultural programming
Clayton Parks and Recreation Department
Type: Government Arts & Recreation Organization
Address: 715 Amelia Church Rd, Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: (919) 553-1550
Website: https://www.townofclaytonnc.org/232/Parks-Recreation
Services: Coordinates public arts events, arts camps, and cultural programming in parks and community centers
Art and Mental Health – Art Therapy
Art Positive
Address: 11618 US-70 Business Suite 207, Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: 919-291-7810
Email: lynn.soles@permanentbeautync.com
Services: art classes and art therapy for children and adults
Creative Connections and Well-Being
Address: no address found, listed in Clayton, holding workshops at Apple Law
Email: christine@creativeconnectionsandwellbeing.com
Website: https://www.creativeconnectionsandwellbeing.com/
Owner: Christine Atkinson
Services: Art therapy for adults and art therapy supervision
Summary by Category:
Visual Arts: 3 organizations
Dance: 10 studios/schools + 1 notable instructor
Music: 12
Theater: 4 organizations
Supporting/Venues: 6 organizations
Art and Mental Health/Art Therapy: 2 organizations
Total: 36 Arts Organizations serving Clayton, NC to date Jan 26 – There are many, many more to add. Contact us to add your name and information.