The Franklin County Arts Council is a nonprofit community organization passionate about Arts and Arts education in our diverse community.

The mission of Franklin County Arts Council is to promote and encourage the development and advancement of the arts; to cultivate an appreciation of the arts; and to promote funding and coordination of arts activities county-wide

The Franklin County Arts Council was incorporated in1979 and had its beginning in the International Whistlers Convention. In 2014, the Whistlers Convention moved to other venues and The Franklin County Arts Council focused on encouraging, not only the appreciation of arts in Franklin County, but also to provide a public facility where artists would have a venue to showcase their artistry.

The Quilt Trails of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers is an outreach program of the Franklin County Arts Council designed to capture the history of our community through the display of quilt blocks on historic buildings and structures in Franklin and surrounding counties.

While navigating the Quilt Trails in Central and Eastern North Carolina, travelers can enjoy the area’s art, history, agriculture, and scenic byways. What began as a local endeavor has spread from Franklin County to 7 additional counties and is still growing.

The plan is to follow the Rivers to the coast and include all Eastern North Carolina.

Diana retired to North Carolina 11 years ago to pursue her dream of living near the mountains and seashore. That dream has become a reality and inspiration for her art. Diana is active in the community and Wake Forest Guild of Artist, Franklin County Arts Council, The Joel Fund's Operation Art for which she is a instructor, as well as being an Application Coordinator for Triangle Beagle Rescue.  In 2019 she was Franklin County Artist of the Year.   

Diana's art has evolved over the past few years focusing on graphite pencil of many subjects but especially pet portraits.  To capture the spirit and expressions of animals in a black and white format takes many hours and practice.  Diana also enjoys watercolor painting and combining that with pen and ink sometimes. 

Gauri Singh is an award-winning filmmaker, poet, photographer, and the founder of three NC film festivals which includes the Franklin Flicks Film Festival.   She has been a film artist since 2010, poet since childhood, and written many screenplays for films, acted, produced, and directed.  Her films celebrate her South Asian American heritage and diverse American stories, The poems depict the scenes from the American South and the lovely rural landscape and life.  She is known for award winning films, "Yadvi-The Dignified Princess", "Welcome to North Carolina", "Crossing Borders: An American Story”, and other films.  Her photography includes nature, capturing the scenic side of the American backroads, and views of the countryside.  She has also participated in the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County Cultural Art Grant Review Panel for five (5) years. 

Ellen Queen is a photographer specializing in Fine Art Photography and a retired telecommunications manager. She studied Photography at Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula Montana.  Ellen has been a member of Franklin County Arts Council since 2014 and is passionate about everyone having access to Art and Arts education.