Golden Belt Studios

This place is the BOMB! Although, I will admit, when I first entered, during Durham’s Third Friday this past month, my immediate thought was «a prison full of artists.» I’m not sure why I got the prison feeling, it could’ve been the completely white washed walls covering the entire building or the fact that each artist is perfectly contained in a small white room with a sliding white door that is padlocked once they leave; but prison of artists was my first thought (in the best way of course!) Golden Belt Studio is a building consisting of several long white hallways adorned with multiple sliding doors on both sides (some with windows, some without). There’s some signage when you first walk into the studio that lists stall numbers and names, but as a newcomer, I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate. I simply walked the halls and peaked in each door to discover a new artist. When you look inside the different stalls, the entire place brightens up and changes, rooms full of photography, oil paintings, metal sculpture, hand-​made jewelry, etc. One would never know they exist unless they stepped inside the tiny rooms.
I’ve only been here during Third Friday, but it’s definitely a great time to come. Almost every vendor was open selling their artwork (some even has beverages to offer). In addition, the Durham Arts Guild was present and offering wine as well from a table in the foyer. Golden Belts Studios should definitely be on your Third Friday list. In fact, if you’re only planning to visit only one gallery, I’d make it this one (because it’s about 25+ galleries in one!) You will definitely find a media that suites everyone, there’s plenty of parking in the back lot and you can curtail the time to your needs (either visiting one or two stalls if you’re short on time or ALL if you have all night!) This is truly a hidden gem of Durham, I’m shocked I’ve never heard of it until last weekend and hope to have convinced YOU to give it a visit!

What a fantastic job they did renovating that old textile building and converting it into lofts and artist studios. The old frame work, original rusty i-​beams and wooden planks still remain, but the floor to ceiling paneled windows are all new and clear and provide excellent natural lighting.
Third Fridays are the perfect event to wrap up a week and spend sometime immersed in the creations of local artists. With plenty of food, (only burger, sausage truck and the pomegranate kitchen) plus wine and snacks among the galleries, there is plenty to eat. There was also some great home brewed beer, pinapple Hef was my fav.
The beautiful jewelry, complex sculptures, powerful paintings and inspired creations are fun to browse– a good place to pick up gifts!

Well I live about ten feet from the artist studios so I may be a bit biased but I LOVE these artist studios. The setting in the restored warehouse couldn’t be better. I have recently moved here and have not yet been able to attend a Third Friday event but am looking forward to doing so soon. I wander over from my loft from time to time and am always overjoyed at the wide range of art here and the immense talent on these artists. I am so so happy to live in Golden Belt and love the community here! It is worth a visit you will be pleasantly surprised! Be sure to stop in to the live space and say hello :)

I’ve recently discovered that Durham has an embarrassment of wealth when it comes to to local artists. The recently-​opened Golden Belt Studios now houses a good number of them.
With the high walls and plenty of natural light pouring through the windows, the old warehouse feels like a perfect fit for the painters, photographers, and craft… ers? What do you call one who crafts, anyway?
In addition to the permanent residents of the studio space, they also house exhibits which are free to the general public and usually take on a local flavor all their own. If you manage to find yourself there on a particularly important night, you might even be able to snag a free snack with some wine or beer to go along with your free art show.