Tift Merritt named honorary chair of Artsplosure festival

The festival, which takes place on May 18-19 in downtown Raleigh, is in its 40th year.

“I’m happy to play a role celebrating one of our city’s most creativity-inspired and art-forward festivals,” Tift Merritt said. “Growing up in Raleigh, I have many fond memories of attending Artsplosure.”

Merritt headlined the festival in 2014.

City Plaza will be home to a large scale installation titled, What's That!, by Australian environmental artist Amanda Parer, who created the large bunnies outside of the North Carolina Museum of Art a few years ago.

Nearly 180 artists will be featured at the festival's May 19 art market. The vendors will be selling ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, wood, photography panting and other works.