Franklin Square Gallery

Franklin Square Gallery perfectly combines Southport’s inherent love of art, culture, and history, thanks to both a unique setting and a collection of acclaimed regional and local artists that are clearly inspired by the wild Cape Fear environment. Located along a small side street just a few blocks away from the Downtown Waterfront, this gallery is a fine destination for sightseers and strolling explorers who want to dive into Southport’s storied history and arts scene.

The building itself is worth a visit, and is a fine addition to the historic structures and residences that line the streets of Downtown Southport. Originally built as a school in 1904, and then utilized as the city hall, the stoic home is flanked by two-story pillars and is quite a sight for architecture fans and history buffs alike. Managed by volunteer artists from the Associated Artists of Southport for more than thirty years, once inside, art lovers will be introduced to a veritable world of local artists who specialize in photography, drawings, paintings, mixed media, sculpture, and a number of other creative mediums. Worth the trip for the statuesque building alone, the Franklin Square Gallery is a picture-perfect example of the Downtown Southport arts scene at its most eye-catching and varied.