Community Calendar

Set sail aboard this special river cruise themed to the popular podcast "Burgwin-Wright Presents…Outlander in the Cape Fear," and inspired by the internationally best-selling book and TV series, "Outlander." Spring 2026 dates including Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, May 10.

As you cruise up the Cape Fear River with Wilmington Water Tours, Burgwin-Wright House assistant museum director Hunter Ingram will be your guide on an interesting journey back to to Colonial Times to learn about the Wilmington that Jamie and Claire Fraser would have seen in the "Outlander" series. The 90-minute cruise will depart at 10am and 12pm on cruise days. There is also a full bar onboard!

Tickets are $40 for adults. Book your tickets for the 10am or 12pm cruises by calling Wilmington Water Tours at 910-338-3134 or by visiting WilmingtonWaterTours.net.

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.

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.

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

Join us May 9–10 from 10am–4pm for a curated indoor & outdoor market featuring talented local artists and makers.

Shop handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, textiles, gifts, and more — all thoughtfully created by local creatives. It’s the perfect place to find meaningful, one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gifts while supporting small businesses in our community.

Free to attend. Come shop local and celebrate spring with us!

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.
 

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.

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.

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.
 

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.