Sertoma Arts Center

"Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us." - Roy Adzak

In the late 1970's, Dorothy Elwood and the Citizens Advisory Council spearheaded a survey committee to find out what type of new community center the residence of Raleigh sought after. The results were an overwhelming desire for a second community arts center. At that time, the Pullen Arts Center was the Parks and Recreation's only arts focused center, which, was running over capacity at the time. In April of 1979, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department granted the request of the citizens and opened the doors to the brand new Sertoma Arts Center. The center is housed in the heart of Shelley Park surrounded by the beautiful Shelley Lake and if you did not know "Sertoma" stands for Service to Mankind.

Today, The Sertoma Arts Center is a leading arts organization in Raleigh offering a variety of programs to our community. Through education, exhibitions, group support and outreach, we provide a destination for artists and arts lovers of all ages.

Our programming includes painting, drawing, pottery, crafts, photography, dance, healing arts and more to youth, teens and adults. We have well-equipped studio spaces for drawing/painting and pottery for classroom and studio cardholder use. We are home to various arts co-sponsor groups and direct and in-house gallery program, highlighting artist locally and from afar. Additionally, we rent space at our center, at Williams Park and host special events through out the year.

The center provide the community the opportunity to enjoy the arts in a highly creative environment that includes extremely dedicated and talented staff, instructors, artists and patrons. Please visit our site regularly for updates and Arts News!

Hours