Outer Banks Art

Photo Courtesy of Eric Peterson www.eptersonphoto.com

In July of 2010, Dare County Arts Council relocated to a new home, the historic Dare County Courthouse building in Downtown Manteo, quadrupling its space and securing a permanent home for the organization. Dare County Arts Council opened its first office in the Central Square complex in Nags Head, September 1996, hired its first employee in November of that year, and has continued to grow over the years. For over 35 years, the Dare County Arts Council has been fulfilling a vital mission to encourage the Arts in Dare County through Advocacy, Enrichment and Opportunity. Each year thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds participate in DCAC sponsored Arts programs as performers, artists, audience members, students, visitors, and volunteers. For a current schedule of events and happenings, visit www.darearts.org or call (252) 473-5558.

The Currituck County Arts Council also opened in a new location November 2009. They are located at 126 Campus Dr, Moyock with their art gallery located in the Moyock Library. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and for special occasions. The CCAC also holds a number of festivals, opening exhibits, talks, demonstrations, and painting classes throughout the county. For the current schedule of events, visit www.currituckartscouncil.com or call (252)455-9306.

The local arts councils sponsor a number of special performances throughout the year such as the North Carolina and Virginia Symphonies, Frank Holder Dance Group, Graciela Mime Theater, Shady Grove Band, Carolina Players, African American Dance Ensemble, Terrance Simien, and the New York Chinese Folk Dance Company.

The Dare County Arts Council has succeeded in establishing what has become the oldest and largest fine arts exhibition in Dare County, the Frank Stick Memorial Art Show. The show was created to increase participation and the diversity of work by involving artists new to the area, and to encourage artists to submit their best, most recent pieces. Over 140 artists participated in the Frank Stick Memorial Art Show 2011

DCAC’s major fundraiser Artrageous, occurs the first weekend in October. The Saturday festival is held at the Dare County Family Recreational Park in Kill Devil Hills and features vendor booths, creative hands-on activities for kids, live music, great food, and a kid's auction. It allows the children of Dare County to touch upon their inner artistic abilities, and have a blast doing it! The next night is a fun-filled adult art auction with food, drink and music to benefit the arts council and its programs. Included in the auction are last year’s top winners from the Artrageous kids poster contest which are auctioned off, along with original pieces donated from talented local professional artists.

Currituck County also has its own version of the Art Extravaganza held the second Saturday in March each year. This inside show offers a variety of artists and styles. Over 50 artists are scheduled to participate in the Art Extravaganza 2011 including painters, and artists of varying media, including, jewelry,  pottery, metal working, photography and more. For the current schedule and vendor applications, visit the website.