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 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 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, 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 CLASSIC FUNDRAISER

March 3 - March 26

Miniature Masterpieces Classic
Thursday, March 26 from 6:00-8:00 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.

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!

2026 MINIATURE MASTERPIECES: JUNIOR ART SWAP
Saturday, March 28 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Young artists are invited to take part in inaugural Youth Miniature Masterpieces, a one-of-a-kind creative experience that combines art-making, surprise, and celebration!

Each participant will create an original artwork on an 8” x 8” canvas provided by Wilson Arts, then return for a special showcase event where the magic happens. At the event, artists will draw a number within their age group and go home with a mini masterpiece created by one of their peers—a fun and meaningful way to celebrate creativity and community.

Artists are welcome to work in any medium suitable for canvas—paint, drawing, mixed media, or other creative approaches—allowing each child to express their unique style.

To ensure a positive and fair experience for all participants, artists will be grouped by age:

• Ages 5–7
• Ages 8–10
• Ages 11–13
• Ages 14–17

The culminating event will take place on Saturday, March 28, from 4:00–6:00 p.m., and will feature an upscale, kid-friendly atmosphere complete with fun snacks, a photo booth, and plenty of opportunities to admire the artwork.

• Cost: $25 per child (includes canvas and event admission – does not include materials for artmaking)
• Adults: One adult included per child; additional adults may attend for $10 each
• Capacity: Limited to 100 youth participants

This is a perfect opportunity for young artists to create, connect, and experience the joy of sharing art in a memorable setting.

To participate in this event, please visit the Wilson Arts Center to pick up a canvas and pay. All Miniature Masterpieces: Junior Art Swap pieces must be returned by Saturday, March 14 to be a part of the event. 

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.

January 15 - February 19
Wilson Active Artists Association Group Exhibition (Truist Event Gallery)
Nash Art Club Group Exhibition (Brown Family Studio 1)

March 3 - March 26
Miniature Masterpieces Classic Fundraiser: Thursday, March 26
Miniature Masterpieces: Junior Art Swap - 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