News Summary
This summer, Dare Arts is celebrating its 50th anniversary with diverse arts programming and community events in Kill Devil Hills. The lineup includes art exhibitions, live music, innovative kids’ art classes, and a special mosaic sculpture. Kicking off the festivities, local artists showcased their work during the June First Friday event. As the summer progresses, attendees can look forward to various exhibitions, workshops, and a grand birthday party in October, all designed to engage and promote local artistry.
Kill Devil Hills – Dare Arts is marking its milestone 50th anniversary this summer with a series of diverse arts programming and community collaborations. The celebration includes a variety of events and exhibitions aimed at engaging the community and promoting local artists.
The summer festivities feature a seven-foot mosaic dog sculpture, innovative kids’ art classes, multiple art exhibitions, live music performances, and hands-on art workshops. Notably, attendees can look forward to nine kids’ art classes offering dedicated creative experiences tailored for youth, as well as six different art exhibitions showcasing a range of local artistry.
The celebration kicked off with the June First Friday event, highlighting local talent. This event featured the solo exhibit by N.C. artist Delayna Robbins in the Vault Gallery and a collaborative exhibition titled “Resilience,” which showcased works by local artists Olha Fidyk and Francesca Beatrice Marie in the Courtroom Gallery. Live music was provided by the band Mama’s Black Sheep, and attendees were entertained by a fire performance by Panda Daniels.
Additionally, the summer will feature a prominent installation called “Fifi the French Bulldog,” crafted by Wilson, N.C. artist Elizabeth Laul Healey. The piece, constructed from a variety of materials such as foam, fiberglass, colored mirror, and gemstones, carries a message of kindness with the words “Be Kind” emblazoned on Fifi’s chest, intended to resonate with viewers.
The Dare Arts Pride Project contributed to the vibrant summer schedule with a free Open Mic Night at Hi-Vibe Holistics in Kill Devil Hills, celebrating Pride Month. In another cultural offering, a staged reading of “The Laramie Project” was performed at Theatre of Dare’s headquarters located in Kitty Hawk, providing an opportunity for community members to engage with powerful themes through theater.
Looking ahead to July, the Vault Gallery will offer a display of ceramic works by Richmond, VA artist Paul Terrell, while the Courtroom Gallery will feature oil paintings by Outer Banks artist Iryna Welch from July 4 to 26. These exhibitions promise to highlight the creations of artists both from the local area and beyond.
In August, Dare Arts will host two noteworthy community collaborations. “Tight Lines: Fish Tales from the Outer Banks,” an exhibit by Manteo artist Rebecca Watkins, will take place in the Vault Gallery from August 1 to 28, coinciding with the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament. Concurrently, a multimedia art exhibition titled “In Good Company: Inspirations from The Outer Edge Film Series” will display local artworks alongside six episodes from the first season of The Outer Edge film series.
In preparation for continued engagement with the public, Dare Arts has updated its online directory of local art galleries that feature original artwork, accessible at DareArts.org/gallerydirectory. A variety of workshops for both children and adults will also be available throughout the summer, with registration facilitated through DareArts.org/workshops.
The pinnacle of the 50th-anniversary celebration will be the Dare Arts’ Birthday pARTy scheduled for Thursday, October 23, at the Waterfront Trellis in Manteo. Ticket sales for this highly anticipated event are set to begin in July.
To find more information about upcoming events, exhibitions, or workshops, community members are encouraged to visit DareArts.org or contact Dare Arts directly by phone at 252-473-5558. Exhibition opening receptions for featured artists are made possible by the support of the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series.
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Additional Resources
- The Coastland Times: Something for Everyone at Dare Arts This Summer
- Wikipedia: Art
- The Coastland Times: Inaugural Artist Exhibition at The Duck Gallery
- Google Search: art exhibitions
- The Coastland Times: Kitty Hawk Artist Takes First Place
- Google Scholar: art education
- The Coastland Times: Dare Arts Holds Outside Straight Lines Exhibit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: art exhibition
- The Coastland Times: Dare Arts Pride Project to Return
- Google News: Dare Arts
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
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