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Serving Carolina and Kure Beaches Come Be Part of the Arts!
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Hurricane Alley's HORIZON 2026 Island Arts Council Sponsor
Our deepest gratitude to Hurricane Alley's Michelle Alberda for becoming our HORIZON 2026 Island Arts Sponsor.
As a HORIZON sponsor Hurricane Alley's supports: Art in the Yard, Casino Night, Rotating Exhibitions, Tidalwalk Popup Art Show!
This year we introduced an Annual Sponsorship Program to enable local businesses to expand their community marketing contributions across the many IAC events and programs.
Businesses benefit with an opportunity to connect and engage directly with potential clients while supporting our island’s vibrant arts community.
Sponsorships can make an impact and encourage community artists and economic development through the arts.
Help us, please, to facilitate the growth of our community into a regional arts destination!
Crush & Grind Exhibition Renee Whitley. April 8th to May 27th
Please stop by Crush & Grind to view Renee's beautiful artwork.
These pieces are prefect for you beach home!!!
Come Be Part of the Arts!!
May 7th Island Arts Poetry Thursdays: Florence Nash
Florence Nash is the author of two poetry books, Crossing Water and Fish Music, both by Gravity Press.
She was born in Tarboro, NC, graduated from UNC and, following 20-odd years of Life Outside the South, came back to settle in Durham, where she worked in Duke Medical Center, primarily as a writer/editor.
For 16 years she directed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Poetry Workshop at Duke.
Her poems have been published in numerous periodicals and anthologies, and she is a member of the Black Socks Poets.
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May Social - Sunset Cruise
Let's start the season off with a ride to the Cape Fear to watch the sunset, dance and have some fun!
Bring a friend or several friends to meet our creative, fun-loving members!
RSVP Cathy
Call for Artists
Island Arts Council is proud to celebrate the beauty and stories of Cape Fear region with the new 2026 Regional Juried Art Exhibition, Echoes of Place: Artists’ Reflections of New Hanover County. The exhibition will be held August 1–15, 2026, at Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.
Artists of all disciplines are invited to submit original works that interpret the distinctive character of New Hanover County — its maritime heritage, coastal beauty, historic landmarks, and the communities that have shaped this remarkable region. The call for artists opens March 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 1, 2026.
Set against the storied backdrop of Fort Fisher State Historic Site, this exhibition pairs artistic expression with the rich history of New Hanover County. Works selected for the show will reflect the places, people, and stories that define this region — from the Civil War earthworks of Fort Fisher to the vibrant waterfront communities of Wilmington and the quiet shores of Pleasure Island.
To ensure historical rigor, the Council is partnering with esteemed historian Dr. Jan Davidson, whose education provides a foundational resource for artists seeking to interpret the region’s complex past—from the ramparts of Fort Fisher to the modern spirit of Pleasure Island and surrounding areas.
The gallery will be curated by Gayle Tustin, an acclaimed artist and arts educator with deep roots in the North Carolina coastal arts community. Tustin brings a discerning eye and a commitment to honoring authentic, place-based artistic expression. Her choices will showcase works that deeply explore the exhibition’s themes of memory, identity, and place.
Island Arts Council welcomes submissions from emerging and established artists across all media, including painting, photography, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media. Works must be original, created within the past three years, and directly inspired by New Hanover County.
For more information:
American Legion Workshop 3 Collage for Calm and Clarity
This program is Free to American Legion Members and their family and no artistic skills are needed.
The workshops are designed support the project’s objectives - Self Expression.
Workshops take place at the American Legion Pleasure Island Post 129 meeting hall, with all materials included.
We limit sessions to 8 participants to provide personalized support and a quiet space for emotional reflection and discussion.
Deadline for application 05/12/2026 Selection for each workshop is "First Come First Served".
Featured Art patron of the month
Camille Perotti
This month, we are proud to honor one of our Art Patron Members, Camille Perotti—affectionately known as “Wonder Woman.”
Camille’s contributions to our island community are both extensive and deeply impactful. As a co-founder of the Island Arts Council—back when it was just an idea sketched on the back of a napkin—she has helped shape it into the vibrant organization it is today.
She is a passionate advocate for local businesses, artists, and the community as a whole.
As an IAC Board Member, Camille has led our signature fundraising events, including Mardi Gras and Casino Night. She is a familiar face at community gatherings, often found in the IAC tent assisting with crafts, connecting with residents, and tirelessly reaching out to secure sponsorships for our many initiatives.
Beyond her work with the Island Arts Council, Camille is also an active member of Island Women and the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, further demonstrating her commitment to strengthening our community.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Camille as part of the IAC and our island family.
Thank you, Camille, for everything you do.
Lamar Advertising
Thank You Lamar Advertising
We appreciate Lamar Advertising for their support of the Featured Artist of the Month and Island Arts Council's events.
Please look up at the digital billboards as you cross the bridge.