Community Calendar

Historic Downtown Wilmington Marketplace is a city sponsored artisan outdoor market, in our 9th year. Every Sunday from April through October, local artists set up and display their creations on Front Street between Market and Dock streets, from 10-3pm. You can find jewelry, glass, fiber, clay, paintings and wall hangings.

Facebook: Historic Downtown Wilmington Marketplace
Instagram:@downtownilmartists
Contact: June Drachunus info@hdwmarket.com

Experience the charm and creativity of coastal North Carolina at the Historic Downtown Wilmington Marketplace’s Sunday Artisan Market. Held weekly on Dock Street (between Front and 2nd Streets), just steps from the downtown Riverwalk, this open-air market brings together a thoughtfully curated collection of local artists, makers, and small businesses in the heart of Wilmington.

Each Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM, visitors can stroll through a vibrant street market filled with handcrafted goods, original artwork, and unique artisan pieces. From fine art and pottery to woodwork, jewelry, textiles, and mixed media, the market showcases a diverse range of creative expressions. Every booth offers something one-of-a-kind, making it the perfect place to discover meaningful pieces you won’t find anywhere else.

The Sunday Artisan Market is ideal for tourists exploring Wilmington, locals seeking a relaxing and inspiring weekend outing, and anyone who values handmade, high-quality goods. Its central location makes it easy to pair with brunch, shopping, or a day along the waterfront. Guests can enjoy the energy of downtown, take a walk along the nearby Riverwalk, and connect directly with artists—learning about their craft and the stories behind their work.

Admission is free and open to the public. Come experience the creativity, meet the makers, and be part of Wilmington’s growing arts scene.

Location: Dock Street (between Front & 2nd Streets), near the Downtown Riverwalk
When: Every Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM
Admission: Free

The Burgwin-Wright House is excited to celebrate our 100th art show in our gallery by welcoming back local artist, Janet Sessoms, for her show "Colorful Reflections.”

The Opening reception, in conjunction with Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, is on Friday, March 27 from 6-9PM.

Sessoms artworks will be on display and for sale in our art gallery through June 20th. Admission is free. The gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.

About the Artist
Janet B. Sessoms, who works primarily in oils, describes her style as painterly realism. Her paintings reflect her fascination with the effects of light on the environment and inanimate objects, as well as her fondness for the landscapes of the southeast. Sessoms wanted to be an artist since the age of eight. An art educator for 22 years, Sessoms retired fourteen years ago and has been realizing her dream ever since. A self-described, life-long learner, she enjoys taking workshops by nationally renowned artists. Sessoms maintains a studio at ArtworksTM and is an active member of the Wilmington Art Association, the Art League of Leland, and Oil Painters of America. To view the artist’s portfolio visit www.janetbsessoms.com.

Art in Bloom Gallery is eager to introduce you to the ceramic sculptures and paintings of guest artists Hannah Fridholm & Lisa J. Mullikin – two recent arrivals to our region with fresh perspectives to share! Ceramicist Hannah Fridholm explores the fragility of memory and the fleeting moments that shape our lives, using clay as a medium to embody transformation and impermanence. Through hand-built sculptures and textured forms, she captures the delicate nature of human experiences. Painter & architect Lisa J. Mullikin focuses on the relationships we have with regional landscapes, and the cultural connections we have to place. Since moving to Wilmington, Lisa’s oils have reflected the area’s unique relationships between the placid land, dynamic sky and the formidable ocean.
In the landscape of human experience, a "desire path" is the unplanned route carved by choices, losses, and transformations. Through incorporating mixed media into their creations, Lisa & Hannah explore the intersections between nature, history, and imagination - the transitory moments when we move from one space to the next. This is not unlike our lives in transition, when we are heading down a certain path but suddenly feel compelled to walk through the untrodden meadow searching and hoping for something wild and unexpected. Altogether, “Desire Path” honors memories and the trail we carve into the earth when we stray from the path.
Join us in the gallery on Sunday, April 26th, 2-5pm for our Artist Reception! Enjoy special refreshments, meet our artists, and enjoy live music by jazz guitarist Roger Davis! This exhibit will run through June 7th, alongside a new selection of featured works by our 30+ Gallery Artists.

Local Chapter is a collaborative acoustic project featuring longtime North Carolina songwriters Paul Edelman and Brad Heller. Armed with a large catalog of original material, the duo focuses on songs that chronicle the American experience. Make your way to your neighborhood brewery for a laid back Sunday afteroon of chill vibes, crisp craft brews, and tasty food from our friend's at Kimchi Taco (3-6). Cheers!

Join the folks at Fermental as we celebrate the arrival of February with our weekly SUNDAY JAZZ JAM, hosted by local artist, Jay Killman.

5pm - 8pm

With a solid foundation of house musicians including Killman, Jon Hill, and Gabrielle Sánchez, this recurring renaissance of jazz welcomes all level of performers: students, professionals, and beginners.

Bring your instrument or bring your ear and enjoy a weekly session of jazz artists and jazz enthusiasts.

Family friendly. Pet friendly.
FREE parking available throughout the Cargo District

More info: 910.821.0362

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Host Jay Killman is a professional musician performing with a wide array of acts including jazz ensembles, singer songwriters, hip hop groups, and fusion bands. He is also an avid composer, arranger and teacher. He is currently an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. www.jaykillmanmusic.com

Don’t Tell Comedy is coming to Wilmington, NC Sunday, May 31st 2026 5 pm in Downtown Wilmington! Want to know where we’ll just buy a ticket and you will get the location the morning of the show.
Comedy is at its best when there’s a surprise – that’s why Don’t Tell Comedy puts on events where the performers and location are kept secret until the day of the show. With over 250 cities already in on the joke, you never know where we'll set up shop, or who might pop in. Want to be let in on the secret? Enter your zip code to find an upcoming show near you – just don’t tell anyone!!

Wilmington’s beloved free-to-the-public performances return with something truly special, The Shakespeare Dream Festival —where visitors and locals alike gather for free, family-friendly performances of the Bard’s most beloved works under the stars at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.
Cape Fear Shakespeare – 34th Season Shakespeare Dream Festival Celebration!
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream – CF Shakespeare on the Green • 12th Night, or What Evah – The Shakespeare Youth Company • The Shakespeare Dream Garden

Island Arts Council Announces Juried Exhibition
Echoes of Place: Artists’ Reflections of New Hanover County

CAll for art deadline 6/1/26
CASH PRIZES
Exhibition at Fort Fisher State Historic Site | August 1–15, 2026
 
CAROLINA BEACH, NC — The Island Arts Council is proud to announce Echoes of Place: Artists’ Reflections of New Hanover County, a juried fine art exhibition celebrating the landscapes, history, and cultural heritage 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.
 
About the Exhibition
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.
Historical context for the exhibition is being developed in collaboration with Dr. Jan Davidson, a respected historian whose research brings depth and authenticity to the curatorial vision. Dr. Davidson’s scholarship will serve as a resource for participating artists and exhibition programming.
 
Meet the Juror
The exhibition will be juried 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 selection will highlight works that speak meaningfully to the exhibition’s theme of memory, identity, and place.
 
Call for Artists
The 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.
Submission Period: March 1 – June 1, 2026
Exhibition Dates: August 1–15, 2026
Venue: Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, NC
Prospectus & Submission Details: Available at the Island Arts Council website www.islandartscouncil.net
Or call 914-204-1371
 Apply at Entrythingy.com
About the Island Arts Council
The Island Arts Council is a nonprofit arts organization based in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, dedicated to cultivating and celebrating the arts on Pleasure Island and throughout the Cape Fear region. Through exhibitions, educational programming, therapeutic arts initiatives, and community partnerships, the Island Arts Council connects artists and audiences in meaningful ways.
 

The Burgwin-Wright House is excited to celebrate our 100th art show in our gallery by welcoming back local artist, Janet Sessoms, for her show "Colorful Reflections.”

The Opening reception, in conjunction with Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, is on Friday, March 27 from 6-9PM.

Sessoms artworks will be on display and for sale in our art gallery through June 20th. Admission is free. The gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.

About the Artist
Janet B. Sessoms, who works primarily in oils, describes her style as painterly realism. Her paintings reflect her fascination with the effects of light on the environment and inanimate objects, as well as her fondness for the landscapes of the southeast. Sessoms wanted to be an artist since the age of eight. An art educator for 22 years, Sessoms retired fourteen years ago and has been realizing her dream ever since. A self-described, life-long learner, she enjoys taking workshops by nationally renowned artists. Sessoms maintains a studio at ArtworksTM and is an active member of the Wilmington Art Association, the Art League of Leland, and Oil Painters of America. To view the artist’s portfolio visit www.janetbsessoms.com.