With NFL Opening Day kicking off the 2026 season on September 9th, there’s no better time to visit one of Downtown Sanford’s most impressive murals. The mural at 114 N. Steele Street honors local legend Steve Jones, a standout at Sanford Central High School who helped the team claim three consecutive 3-A state championships in 1966, 1967, and 1968, went on to become an All-American at Duke University, earned ACC Player of the Year honors in 1972, and later played for the St. Louis Cardinals. Jones was inducted into the Duke University Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, and artist Chris Dalton captured the full scope of that legacy right here in the heart of downtown.

As a creative hub in Downtown Sanford, Oxide Gallery of Fine Arts offers a space where artists and art lovers can come together. With a variety of local artwork on display, from paintings to sculptures, the gallery celebrates the talent and passion within the local community. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just curious about the local scene, Oxide Gallery provides an engaging way to explore, connect, and be inspired by the arts.

Having studied and obtained degrees in both Dance and Education, Suzanne has nurtured young dancers in the basement of the “old Belk building in downtown Sanford since 1995. As owner and instructor of the Sanford School of Classical Ballet, she has shepherded the school through many achievements which will soon include the 30th anniversary of the Spring Student Performance at the Mann Center of NC and the 25th anniversary of the school’s inaugural performance of The Nutcracker. With both of Suzanne’s daughters as alumnae and her eldest grandson now in her pre-ballet class, the Sanford School of Classical Ballet is a true family legacy worth experiencing.