Celebrate 35 Years of Artrageous Art Festival this May
Kick-starting Creativity at Artrageous
Outer Banks community members, mark your calendars, as the 35th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival is set to encourage creativity among youngsters. The festival will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Dowdy Park in Nags Head.
The theme of Artrageous this year is Creativity stARTs Here, underscoring the significant role the festival plays in igniting the spark of creativity in children. Interestingly, many children have had their first encantor with art at Artrageous, catalyzing a lifelong love for creative expression.
Three and a Half Decades of Art Madness
Dare Arts Second Vice President, Ginny Flowers, recalls her association with Artrageous since its inception. She said, “Every Artrageous is an opportunity to introduce children to the joy and freedom of creating art. It’s so wonderful to see the generational effect, with young artists from decades ago still participating in the event and sharing their creativity with their children.” She also stressed on the cultural significance of this festival for the community.
What’s in Store this Year?
As always, the annual Artrageous Art Festival is a family-friendly event packed with a multitude of activities. The event will host interactive art sessions, live music, vocal and dance performances by students, an artisan market, and exciting food vendors. Kid art activity organizers and artisans interested in displaying their work at the festival can apply online at DareArts.org/artrageous. The application deadline is Friday, March 15.
You’ll also find The Young Artist Village at the festival—a dedicated space for budding artists under 17 years of age—showcasing and selling their handmade goods.
Involvement of Young Artists
Young artist siblings Cora and Lucy Francy, enthused about the event and partaking in this year’s Young Artist Village, shared, “We like going to Artrageous to see friends, make crafts and see what other artists are selling. Seeing what people make and how creative they are is cool! We are excited to sell our handmade jewelry, keychains, and pens at Artrageous this year.”
Kickstart Your Taste Buds
Food lovers will take pleasure in the array of food vendors present at the festival, such as Fork ‘et Me Not, Island Snowball, Blurred Lines Bakery, and The Lopez Lemonade Stand, providing a mix of snacks, refreshments, and delectable sweets.
Making a Difference with Artrageous
The Artrageous Kids Art Festival is not just an event; it’s a platform that changes lives. Through its longest-running Artrageous Youth Scholarship Fund, one deserving Dare County high school senior aspiring to study fine arts or the performing arts in college is awarded a scholarship each year.
The essence of this festival extends beyond the day of the event. It’s a nurturing space for aspiring artists and a medium for community involvement in enriching art’s culture in Dare County. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and the Don & Catharine Bryan Cultural Series sponsor the event.
For more updates and information about the event, visit DareArts.org/artrageous or call (252) 473-5558. Dare Arts is a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization committed to fostering the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment, and opportunity.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
