We feature a variety of work from local and regional artists at the Wilson Arts Center. Exhibitions rotate approximately every two months, with opening receptions held on Thursday evenings. All gallery exhibits and artist receptions are free and open to the public!
WILSON ACTIVE ARTISTS ASSOCIATION'S BIENNIAL GROUP EXHIBITION
January 15 – February 19
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 15 / 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Wilson Arts Center's Truist Event Gallery
Free and open to the public
Sponsored by: Old Carolana Group, Inc., Linda & Skip Hanson, Allen & Lynette Thomas
The Wilson Active Artist Association (WAAA) is one of Wilson's longest-running nonprofit art organizations. The group was founded by eight Wilsonians in 1965, with a mission to help promote an interest in art in Wilson. Soon after, the group began arranging exhibitions, giving Wilson artists opportunities to showcase their art outside of the traditional art gallery norm. This helped pave the way for more art education and an increase in art awareness in the community. The group currently programs the Hammond Gallery in the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, where they have revolving shows throughout the year.
The WAAA continues to grow, having nearly doubled in size since their last show in 2024. The group holds monthly meetings under the guidance of their current president, Aida Abernathy. Abernathy, a painter, studied under Martha Beland and enjoys acrylic and oil. She’s known for her paintings of animals and draws inspiration from the small everyday life moments. She has been a member of the WAAA since 2015 and has served on the Wilson Arts Visual Arts Committee for over 7 years.
More than half of the WAAA current members will be showing their works in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and fiber art. With their love and appreciation for art in common, this show is sure to be a wonderful representation of our arts community!
Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, January 15, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The show runs until February 19 and can be viewed during regular business hours (Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
NASH CORRECTIONAL ART CLUB GROUP EXHIBITION
January 15 – February 19
Wilson Arts Center's Brown Family Studio 1
Free and open to the public
Exhibiting alongside the WAAA group exhibition, we will be showcasing works by the Nash Correctional Art Club from the Nash Correctional Institution (NCAC) in Nashville, North Carolina.
For the past few years, Wilson Arts has traveled to Nash Correctional to judge their bi-annual art show that takes place in spring & fall. The art club is run by inmates and receives no funding from the state. Last year, Chris Woodard who was WAAA president at the time, attended a group of fellow artists to help judge the show. He was so inspired by the talent; he shared his experience at the next WAAA meeting. The group then came together and donated boxes of art supplies to the incarcerated artists.
Art is the universal language that changes our views or preconceptions, providing us with a more meaningful vocabulary than words to communicate with people from all parts of society.
Barry Mintz, the reporter for the prison newsletter wrote:
Artistic expression allows incarcerated people to thrive in cold, unkind environments. Often the cold, unkind environment exists inside the artist as well as outside. Art beautifies both the inner and outer world and programs such as this have helped redefine their identity from criminal to artist offering a newfound sense of humanity and community.
The proceeds from any sales from the NCAC artists will be donated to United Ministries Bassett Center in Rocky Mount, NC.
The exhibition is free and open to the public. The show runs until February 19 and can be viewed during regular business hours (Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
2026 MINIATURE MASTERPIECES FUNDRAISER
March 3 - March 26
Miniature Masterpieces Classic
Thursday, March 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Miniature Masterpieces: Junior Art Swap
Saturday, March 28 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
We are gearing up for the next Miniature Masterpiece fundraiser! This beloved event continues to grow each year as more new artists bring their unique styles into the mix.
For those who may not know about this fun event, it begins with YOU! Wilson Arts lends out 8” x 8” canvases for artists to create a mini masterpiece. There is no set theme: you bring your own creative style or subject matter of your choosing. When completed, you bring back your masterpiece to the Wilson Arts Center. Once all the works have been turned in, the tickets go on sale with all the proceeds going towards art education programming for the year. This interactive fundraiser brings so many of our local artists together for a great cause and everyone is excited to see who ends up with their Miniature Masterpiece!
This year’s Miniature Masterpieces will be on display beginning early March in the Truist Event Gallery, with the fundraiser taking place on Thursday, March 26 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. We are also excited to be partnering with local art teachers to add a youth version into this year’s mix! The Junior miniature masterpiece fundraiser will take place on Saturday, March 28, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
Artists may pick up a canvas at the reception desk during our regular hours of operation. This event includes 3D artists who are welcome to donate their own creation within the 8” x 8” parameters such as a small sculpture or pottery. All Miniature Masterpieces must be returned by Saturday, February 14 to be a part of the event. All participating artists will be invited to attend the second half of the event!
6th ANNUAL NATIONAL MULTI-MEDIA JURIED EXHIBITION
CALL FOR ENTRY
Deadline: March 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Entry Fee: $30
To submit, artists will have to create an account on www.CallForEntry.com. Setting up an account is free. Artists must submit their entry fee and artworks for consideration through CaFE. Wilson Arts will not accept works submitted via email. Up to three (3) pieces may be entered. Each artwork may be represented by only one image to be scored by the juror via CaFE. Images of works accepted will be retained by the Arts Center for its permanent records and publicity purposes. Digital Images must be uploaded through CaFE. Each file must be identified by artist name, entry number, and title. Entry Materials are due no later than midnight (EST) on March 6, 2026.
We will not accept email submissions. If you have specific questions regarding the show, please email deedee@wilsonarts.com
Film /Animation entries must specify any special instructions needed for display.
Artists will be notified of acceptance and invitation into the exhibition by email beginning the week of March 8, 2026. Every artist will receive an email regardless of selection for the show.
Exhibition Dates: April 9 - May 14, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 9/ 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Wilson Arts Center / 204 Nash St S
Sponsored by: Farris & Thomas Law
Winners will be announced at the opening reception on Thursday, April 9 from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. and it is free and open to the public. Cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second, and $100 for third will be awarded.
Juror
Maureen O’Neill received her B.F.A. in Painting from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her M.F.A. in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. While at RISD, she received the Award of Excellence for outstanding work as a graduate student and the Brown University Teaching Fellowship. O’Neill has exhibited her work extensively throughout the region and has recently developed workshops that focus on drawing and meditation. She is the Director of Exhibitions and Educational Programming for the Barton College Art Galleries and Assistant Professor of Art. She was the recipient of the Lincoln Financial Faculty Member of the Year Award in 2021.
The gallery gift shop is located near the reception desk inside the Truist Event Gallery at the Wilson Arts Center. Featuring local and regional artists, items rotate in sync with exhibition changes, offering fresh inventory throughout the year. While we will continue to feature many of your favorite artists and popular items, this new approach creates opportunities to introduce exciting new pieces with every gallery opening.
2026 Exhibition Schedule
January 15 - February 19
Wilson Active Artists Association Group Exhibition
March 3 - March 26
Miniature Masterpieces
Classic Fundraiser: Thursday, March 26
Miniature Masterpieces Junior Edition: Saturday, March 28
April 9 - May 14
6th Annual Multi-Media Juried Exhibition
May 28 - June 30
Sculpture Invitational
July 16 - August 13
Tom Braswell Exhibition
September 3 - 30
Wilson Collects
October 8 - November 5
ArtSuite: Shelley Smith Exhibition
November 19 - December 23
Holiday Invitational
