Art by the Sea: Discover the Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild and Gallery 320 in Myrtle Beach
There are places where the ocean carves not just the shoreline but the soul of a town. North Myrtle Beach and its southern neighbor, Myrtle Beach, hold more than sunburns and sandcastles. If you pay attention—past the surfboards and snow cones, beyond the golf carts and boardwalks—you’ll find stories painted in oil, carved in driftwood, and strung through beads and brushstrokes. Here, art is not a tourist act; it’s a tradition.
Tucked into the lively heartbeat of the Arts and Innovation District in downtown Myrtle Beach, just a short drive from the quiet charm of North Myrtle Beach, you’ll find Gallery 320—a sanctuary of color and craft that celebrates the soul of the Grand Strand. Operated by the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild, the oldest arts guild in the region, this gallery offers a window into 56 years of creative excellence, grassroots mentorship, and artistic community.
A Coastal Legacy: 56 Years of Artistic Fellowship
The Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild, founded in 1968, is more than an organization—it’s a fellowship of artists, educators, and visionaries bound by their love for creativity and the Carolina coast. With over 200 members today, the Guild includes established painters, sculptors, woodworkers, glass artists, photographers, textile designers, and ceramicists. It’s a rare blend of wisdom and wonder: seasoned professionals exhibiting next to emerging talents mentored by those same hands.
The Guild’s longevity isn’t just about staying power—it’s about staying relevant. Members teach workshops, jury exhibitions, and open their studios to the public. Their influence is etched across galleries, festivals, and schools throughout Horry County. And now, with the opening of Gallery 320, they have a home that reflects the vibrant diversity of their work and the coastal spirit that shapes it.
Gallery 320: A Living Canvas in the Arts & Innovation District
Set on 9th Avenue North in downtown Myrtle Beach, Gallery 320 hums with the energy of its neighborhood. Around it, bakeries like The Roasted Bean, cafés like Fresh Brewed Coffee House, and small businesses offer a daily rhythm that mixes artists with entrepreneurs, creatives with passersby.
Inside the gallery, you’ll find a rotating selection of fine art and functional crafts. There are hand-thrown pottery mugs that feel good in the hand and oilscapes that capture the hush of an early morning beach walk. You’ll spot intricate jewelry, mixed media pieces with repurposed coastal materials, and abstract works that bring modern edge to a classic setting. The art is as varied as the people who make it—but always rooted in the same love for the Carolina coast.
Local families strolling from Grand Strand Brewing Company or visitors exploring nearby Chapin Park often find themselves pausing inside Gallery 320, discovering a handcrafted souvenir far richer than a T-shirt or keychain. It’s a space for connection: between visitor and artist, brush and memory.
Workshops, Events, and Creative Learning for All Ages
The Guild doesn’t stop at the gallery door. One of its proudest roles is education—bringing art to children, teens, and adults through workshops and events throughout the year. Many of these are hosted right at Gallery 320, but the Guild’s reach extends to schools and libraries across the Grand Strand.
Families vacationing in North Myrtle Beach often look for more than beach days. A stop at Gallery 320 offers not just a quiet cultural moment, but sometimes a chance for kids to take part in hands-on art activities, craft demos, or informal artist talks. The Guild’s long-term members are not just exhibitors—they’re mentors, often working side-by-side with youth during community events or local festivals.
Visitors arriving during seasonal art shows or Guild-sponsored exhibitions at The Myrtle Beach Art Museum will find even more works from the same artists on display at Gallery 320. And many guests who find something they love at the gallery end up visiting the artist’s studio or commissioning a custom piece.
Exploring the District: Where Art Meets Coffee, Culture, and Coastal Soul
The Arts and Innovation District, a revitalized slice of downtown Myrtle Beach, is a destination in its own right. After visiting Gallery 320, stop by Croissants Bistro & Bakery for a pastry so good it feels like art itself, or browse the curated finds at RetroActive, a vintage shop steeped in local flair.
From local theater at The Grand Strand Players to evening jazz on a café patio, this corner of the beach town feels alive with creation. For families staying in North Myrtle Beach, it’s a perfect day trip—less than 25 minutes down Highway 17 and full of meaningful experiences for both kids and adults.
Art and Sand: A Vacation That Sticks with You
What makes North Myrtle Beach so special isn’t just the sunshine or salt air—it’s the way a simple trip here can surprise you. You come for the beach, but you stay for what the coast gives back: moments of joy, local connection, and sometimes, an original painting that ends up on your living room wall long after the tan fades.
For travelers who crave more than beach chairs and boogie boards, Gallery 320 and the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild offer a chance to see—and support—the beating creative heart of the Grand Strand.
Plan Your Art-Filled Coastal Getaway with Thomas Beach Vacations
Want to wake up to ocean views and spend your days exploring the region’s finest galleries and beach towns? Let Thomas Beach Vacations help you plan your perfect stay. We offer over 400 vacation rentals in North Myrtle Beach—from oceanfront condos to quiet retreats near golf, galleries, and hidden gems.
Visit www.northmyrtlebeachvacations.com or call (866) 249-2100 to speak with one of our local vacation experts. Whether you’re an art lover, beachcomber, or both, your next coastal adventure begins with us.