A new art space will soon be in Hillsborough at a prominent historical location.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners authorized the Eno River Mill Arts Project on Tuesday. The Orange County Arts Commission will rent space from Hedgehog Holdings, who manages the mill, and use the it as 13 move-in artist studio spaces. Artists would in turn rent the space from the county and use it as a creative, storage, and display area.

The goal of the partnership is to provide low-cost access to local artists while transforming the mill into an arts destination and economic asset for Hillsborough and the county.

Arts Commission Director Katie Murray spoke to the board about how the space should immediately help the county economically.

“It’s going to keep that rental money here locally,” she said. “Right now our artists who need studio space go outside of Orange County to get it with the exception of maybe less than half-dozen options. It’s going to provide more patrons for businesses, especially during receptions or openings.”

Fred Joiner, the poet laureate for the Town of Carrboro, voiced his support of the project to the board. He said a space like this helps a community build resilience and gives people an outlet not just for creativity but also for dealing with personal adversity.

“I wouldn’t be the artist I am today if I didn’t have these types of spaces provided for me. [My career] doesn’t happen without having these kinds of spaces to help me develop and grow as an artist.”

If it successfully rents the studio space, the Orange County Arts Commission plans to enact two additional phases of partnership with the Eno River Mill. The next steps would be creating a large exhibit area and a performance arts space within the mill while aligning with Hedgehog Holdings’ construction of apartments at the mill that could offer reduced rent for artists using the studio.

Frank Gailor, a managing member of Hedgehog Holdings, expressed his excitement for the project and evoked a phrase from the book Death and Life of Great American Cities.

“New ideas need old buildings,” said Gailor. “This is an old building that needs creative people. We’re excited with the opportunity presented to work with these delightful, enthusiastic people whose energy will help us compound our efforts.”

With the board’s unanimous approval on Tuesday, the Eno River Mill Arts Project will now move forward with the Arts Commission preparing to search for tenants.

Photo via Eno River Mill.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Arts Community Set for Uproar Festival Despite Recent Flood Damage
Orange County's Uproar Festival of Public Art returns on Aug. 1 – and it comes as the arts community recovers from catastrophic flooding.
Orange County and Hillsborough Commissioners Review Timeline for Future Train Station
The future Hillsborough Station is currently set to be completed in 2027, but the town might have to wait a little longer to see it.
Orange County Approves More Than $500,000 for Community Climate Action Grant Program
Earlier in December, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved more than $500,000 in various grants through the county’s Community Climate Action Program. Eight programs around the county will receive funding. Three different organizations will use the money to install rooftop solar panels: Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, the Hillsborough United Church of Christ […]
Uproar Festival of Public Art Coming to Orange County This Summer
The Orange County Arts Commission will be hosting a new festival this summer in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough that might be hard to miss. The Uproar Festival of Public Art will showcase 60 large-scale works of art throughout downtown areas around Orange County from July 14 through August 12. “Uproar will allow our community […]
Hillsborough March to Promote Hate-Free Community, Spurn KKK
Members of the Ku Klux Klan gathered for a demonstration last weekend in front of the Orange County courthouse. The group did not have a permit and sparked an outcry from the Hillsborough community against their presence. This weekend, a response rally has been planned by progressive groups. The March for Hate-Free Hillsborough event will […]
Labor Day to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County Community (2025)
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, September 1, […]
'We Need Help': Orange County Flood Victims Beginning to Pick Up the Pieces
Orange County residents whose homes were flooded during Sunday's storm shared their emotions and what help they need in the aftermath.
Celebration of July 4 to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what will and won’t be happening that week: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday. Residential trash pickup will not be affected. Commercial trash will […]
Orange Rural Fire Department Responds to Blaze at Hillsborough Storage Facility
The Orange Rural Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire at the Surety Storage facility in Hillsborough late Tuesday night. Surety Storage is located at 2707 North Carolina Highway 86 South. According to a release from the fire department, the first engine to arrive quickly reported smoke and fire conditions from “several” storage units […]
Hillsborough Man Wins More Than $500,000 From Lottery Ticket
Daniel Allison of Hillsborough won a $512,111 prize off of a $1 lottery ticket last week. Allison bought his ticket for the Cash 5 game online, then matched all five drawn numbers to win the jackpot. The odds of such a win are 1 in 962,598. Allison claimed his prize at the lottery headquarters in […]
›