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Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, from 10 AM – 5 PM

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Compass & Giving Societies Pre-Sale: April 9, 2026, 6-8 PM
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Cameron Art Museum is pleased to offer a special selection of works by beloved Wilmington-based artist Wayne McDowell (American, 1960–2013), available for purchase as part of a museum fundraiser. Through a generous bequest from McDowell’s partner, Nanci Joplin (1960–2025), a significant group of his works was added to the permanent collection of Cameron Art Museum, while select additional works were approved for sale to benefit the museum.

The works available for purchase include pieces featuring McDowell’s signature haunting seascapes, atmospheric coastal landscapes, sparse interiors, and abstract compositions.

After moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, in the late 1990s, McDowell became deeply connected to the region’s coastal environment and creative community. He worked locally as a graphic designer while maintaining an active studio practice. The coastal light, shoreline, and quiet intensity of southeastern North Carolina strongly influenced his work, and many of his most recognized paintings were created during his years in Wilmington.

Described as a “painter’s painter,” McDowell was widely respected by fellow artists and critics. His work was collected by museums during his lifetime, including Cameron Art Museum, where his paintings remain part of the permanent collection. His paintings have been featured in exhibitions at the Chase Gallery, Boston; Fayetteville Museum of Art; Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte; Greenhill Center of the Arts, Greensboro; and Duke University, Durham.

This sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire work by a Wilmington artist whose legacy remains closely tied to the local arts community, while supporting Cameron Art Museum.