We feature a variety of work from local and regionally known artists at the Wilson Arts Center, rotating work approximately every two months with opening receptions held on Thursday evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Visiting artist lectures take place at 5:30 p.m. All gallery exhibits and artist receptions are free and open to the public!
CURRENT EXHIBITION: 5th Annual National Multi-Media Juried Exhibition
August 7– September 18
Wilson Arts Center / 204 Nash St S
Sponsored by: Farris & Thomas Law
Wilson Arts is excited to announce our 5th Annual National Multi-Media Juried Exhibition where we will be showcasing 2D & 3D artwork from all over the country! Last year, we had over 300 entries with a great number representing North Carolina, including Canton artist Leah Smith who took first place, and local artist Tom Braswell who took 2nd place!
This year's show is being juried by artist and arts advocate Annah Lee, who will be curating the show to select the works for a cohesive exhibition. Judging the awards will take place in person and then the winners will be announced at the opening reception.
Annah Lee has worked in the visual arts field in her hometown of Raleigh, NC for the past 10 years. She has just recently joined the town of Holly Springs as Manager of the Cultural Center. Annah received her master's degree in art history and completed her PhD coursework at UNC-Chapel Hill. Driven by a cultural history approach and a strong knowledge of various materials and artistic processes, Lee applies this experience to her curatorial and management method. Having forged strong interpersonal relationships with artists, institutions, and community members to ensure programming is relevant to our communities, Lee programs art and artists who respond to current cultural issues. Using art as a lens to explore and understand problems, behaviors, and events we collectively face, while placing a strong emphasis on process and technical mastery, Lee continues to expand access for all to engage with art as a vehicle to appreciate and understand human experience.
We hope you can join us for one of our most popular shows of the year!
UPCOMING EXHIBITION: North Carolina Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition
October 2 - November 2
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 2, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Wilson Arts Center / 204 Nash St S
Sponsored by: Pegi Barnes-Sharp and Wilson County Tourism Development Authority
Founded in 1972 by Lexington artist and businessman A. Stuffer Myers, the Watercolor Society of North Carolina (WSNC) has been a cornerstone of the state’s art community for over five decades, officially becoming a nonprofit in 1979. This year’s show features 72 captivating watercolor works by WSNC members, showcasing the remarkable range, creativity, and skill of North Carolina artists.
The 2025 exhibition was juried by Michael Holter, an award-winning artist celebrated for his work in both watercolor and oil. Holter’s impressive résumé includes operating his own galleries, earning degrees in Art Education and Visual Communication, and being named a signature member of multiple prestigious art societies, including The American Watercolor Society and The National Watercolor Society. His paintings have graced private and corporate collections worldwide and have been featured in leading art publications such as The Art of Watercolor, Best of Watercolor, and Watercolor Artist.
Locally, the show has been made possible through the dedication of Pegi Barnes-Sharp, WSNC exhibition chair, accomplished artist, and proud WSNC member. Additional support comes from a $1,000 grant from Wilson County Tourism.
The exhibition opens Thursday, October 2 with a free public reception from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet artists, enjoy light refreshments, and be among the first to experience this breathtaking collection of work by both emerging and established watercolorists.
This is your opportunity to see North Carolina’s watercolor talent at its finest!
CHANGES TO GALLERY GIFT SHOP
As we prepare for the exciting renovations planned for the Wilson Arts Center's MakerSpace, we are reworking—and sometimes reimagining—some of our existing spaces. Our beloved gallery gift shop has been relocated closer to the reception desk and reconfigured with a smaller footprint. This change makes the shop easier to maintain and expands our gallery exhibition space, allowing us to showcase art better.
With this update, the gift shop is more flexible to rotate items in sync with each exhibition change, 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.
2025 Exhibition Schedule
August 7 - September 18
5th Annual National Multi-Media Juried Exhibition
October 2 - November 2
NC Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition
November 13 - December 23
Holiday Invitational Gallery Gift Shop
Holiday Invitational Gala - November 13
