Artsplosure takes over downtown Raleigh this weekend

Raleigh's annual arts festival, Artsplosure, will take over Moore Square and City Plaza this weekend. 

Art Market - From ceramics to photography, the art market will feature items made by artists from North Carolina and beyond. It runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A full list of vendors at the art market

Music in the Park - There will be two stages in Moore Square featuring bands all weekend. Look for the folk, pop outfit Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes on Saturday night. Robinson used to be in the Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Mary Annettes are comprised of other North Carolina musicians. On Sunday, rock vocalist Dana Fuchs will take the main stage. If Dana looks familiar, she played Sadie in the film "Across the Universe."

Kidsplosure - This area offers children the chance to make woven flying creatures, paper flowers, crowns or headbands. AcroEntertainment, a group of local acrobats and performers, the Tanglewood Puppets and the Enloe High School Jazz Band are among the acts taking the Kidsplosure stage. The Kidsplosure area is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be some monster truck painting and big art projects at Marbles Kids Museum as part of Artsplosure. For even more about children's activities at Artsplosure check out this post by Go Ask Mom.

Sandy Feat - This is typically a crowd favorite! Artist Ed Moore and his team will create sand sculptures live in downtown. 

Chessworks - Play a life-size game of chess. Lyle Estill, of Moncure, created this Artsplosure mainstay. 

The Impressionist Garden - For the first time, Artsplosure has partnered with a local landscaping design company to create a temporary garden in City Plaza. It will be the site for eight life-size bronze sculptures by artist Seward Johnson. You can see these from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and then from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.