"The Downtown Arts District Association (DADA) is a neighborhood organization of artist studios, residences and businesses that is dedicated to the promotion of arts and culture through education, entertainment, community interaction and trade."

DADA is an organization consisting of artists, sculptors, photographers, interior and graphic designers, calligraphers, wood workers, jewelers, fiber artists and other disciplines in the arts. DADA has restaurants, retail shops, antiques, residences, business offices, shoe shop and a variety store located in this eclectic area of downtown between 5th and 7th and Trade Street. Organized in 1995, DADA began to raise awareness of the arts community and the arts district in Winston-Salem. Through its Gallery Hops and co-sponsorship of various city events, DADA has infused the downtown with new life and energy, helping to build the arts district itself into a vibrant community. Its stated goal is to alter conventional perceptions about downtown--just as the post-WWI abstract art movement of the same name set out to emancipate the imagination.

DADA consists of volunteers, with regular monthly meetings the Tuesday before DADA's First Friday Gallery Hop   from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the DADA Community Center, 526 North Liberty Street. The board meets regularly to coordinate DADA activities and discuss committee projects. If you would like to become a contributing community member of DADA please contact us at info@dadaws.org.

Every month shops studios and galleries open their doors with new artwork and exhibits for First Friday Gallery Hops. These events are free and open to the public featuring extended shop hours from 7pm until 10pm throughout the year. The Gallery Hops attract hundreds of people to the many galleries, studios and shops that make up the Art District. The streets come alive with a festive atmosphere of visual art, music, entertainment and food to create a one-of-a-kind event in our community.  

Summer on Trade

This Saturday music in the street series features notable regional musicians showcasing Winston-Salem's diverse musical traditions in a setting of artistic commerce and spirit. Scheduled May through the first of October Summer on Trade begins at 7pm in the intersection of Sixth and Trade Streets. The schedule of musicians for this event can be found at: (link)

Special Events throughout the Year.

(Check the DADA Calendar for updates)

DADA sponsors regular events for the Arts Community that are free to the public. Working Collaboratively with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System, the Annual Spring Extravaganza exhibits work from all schools within the system for the Spring Gallery Hop in May 2006. Art Teachers bring work to different galleries throughout the Art District, Music Teachers bring bands and chorus students to perform for the Hop, and Special event teacher coordinate performances for this special event.

DADA presents the Spooktakular on the Saturday closest to Halloween. Each year, costumed humans, pets and other ghouls come for tricks, treats, and contests and are entertained by performances throughout the Art District.  

The Holiday Hop in December is a real treat for everyone. With shops and galleries open for shopping, supporting   our local artists, this Hop reflects the goodwill in the community with choirs and carolers, community donations, and buggy rides. Downtown comes alive this weekend with lights, exhibits, parades, and surprises.

The DADA Community Center

DADA will be opening the Community Center soon. This Center has been a goal since the organization began in 1995. As more support is recognized for the Downtown Art District, we are able to create a space to house DADA Artist exhibits and projects, special events, and a place to congregate for artistic and community discussion and work. The DADA Community Center is possible because of the belief in the arts within our community. Thanks to all the artists, volunteers, businesses and foundations for your support! More news on this to come.

History of Trade Street and DADA

According to Richard Emmett, local music entrepreneur, "In the late 1800s, Trade Street was called Old Town Road, the main route between the town of Salem and the settlements of Bethabara and Bethania. Trade Street was a significant nexus for the development of Old Time String Band music of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge region. A distinct music culture developed around the tobacco warehouses along Trade and Liberty streets, when farmers stayed for days selling their harvest. Musicians of all races would mingle for long evenings of music and merrymaking after the close of the tobacco markets. This formed the basis for a variety of regional musical styles that would later emerge, including acoustic Piedmont Blues, Bluegrass and Country. Ernest Thompson was a familiar sight on Trade Street in the 20s and 30s, dressed in a suit coat with a black bow tie. Outside the huge walls of Brown's tobacco warehouse, the blind guitarist and harmonica player often set up a chair and played popular music of the day. Other significant musicians to play the area regularly were Blind Boy Fuller, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake and Preston Fulp".      

Many businesses are housed in historic buildings that are characteristic to Winston-Salem's past and present. The heart of the Art District is the intersection of Sixth and Trade Streets, an area once known for its thriving tobacco market. The buildings that once housed Pleasants Hardware and Cox Feed & Seed at the turn of the century now house art galleries, studios, lofts and offices. Some of the original trade shops from the 1930's still remain in business today.  

Since 1985, artists and craftsmen have renovated the old brick buildings into a cluster of vibrant studios and galleries; where one may see works in progress and purchase directly from the artists. The Art District also includes several blocks surrounding this area where Winston-Salem's urban renewal movement is evident.   Art District shops and galleries offer a diverse selection of merchandise, from one-of-a-kind decorative and functional craft, to original art, custom-designed jewelry, clothing, home a ccessories, gifts, antiques and more. Older businesses like Johnny's Shoe Shop and Miller's Variety, Art District pioneers like Artworks, Urban Artware and Fiber Company, and new restaurants in the Art District compliment each other in this Downtown Community.  

DADA began in 1995 as artists and shop owners began working together to plan events, pool resources and support each other in creating an Arts Community. Gathering at meetings and discussing projects and plans has become regular, with general meetings held each first Tuesday of the month, connecting through e-mail and newsletters, and working in committees with volunteers from the Art District and supporting members of our community. Volunteers keep DADA moving and new volunteers are always welcome and invited. Contact us at info@dadaws.org .