Since its beginnings in 1985, the Soirée has celebrated visual arts as the heart of downtown Anderson—transforming the city into a vibrant, open-air gallery and establishing the festival as one of the Upstate’s earliest and most respected arts celebrations. While the festival has evolved into a signature two-day event, its commitment to showcasing exceptional artistic talent has remained at its core, continuing a legacy rooted in creativity, craftsmanship, and community. 

The Visual Arts experience features a carefully curated selection of fine artists hand-selected by the Anderson Arts Center. Guests are invited to browse and shop original, one-of-a-kind artwork, with every piece created entirely by the artist from start to finish. From painting and sculpture to ceramics, glass, photography, and mixed media, the Soirée offers an elevated, gallery-quality shopping experience—complete with opportunities to meet artists, watch live demonstrations throughout downtown, and take home a truly unique piece of art. Visitors can also experience SculpTOUR, a rotating public art exhibition featuring large-scale sculptures installed throughout downtown, with new works unveiled each year leading up to the Soirée. Art extends beyond the festival footprint through Art on the Town, placing original artwork inside local businesses and turning the entire downtown into part of the Soirée experience.