Tag Archives: Wilson Arts Center

Wilson Arts Announces $100,000 Challenge Opportunity to Advance MakerSpace Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Cathy B. Hardison
Executive Director, Wilson Arts
cathy@wilsonarts.com
(252) 291-4329
www.wilsonarts.com/makerspace

Wilson Arts Announces $100,000 Challenge Opportunity to Advance MakerSpace Campaign

WILSON, NC — April 9, 2026 — Wilson Arts is inviting the community to rally behind an exciting new opportunity: a $100,000 challenge from Anonymous Trust that will double the impact of local support for its MakerSpace Capital Campaign.

If Wilson Arts raises $100,000 by July 31, the Anonymous Trust will match those funds unlocking a total of $200,000 to support the ongoing renovation and expansion of its downtown facility. This is an “all or nothing” challenge grant, meaning the full match will only be awarded if the $100,000 goal is met by the deadline.

“This is a powerful moment for our organization and our community,” said Cathy Hardison, Executive Director of Wilson Arts. “This isn’t funding that’s already in hand; it’s an opportunity. Every gift made between now and July 31 helps unlock these matching dollars and brings us one step closer to completing a space that is already taking shape and will soon serve Wilson for generations.”

The MakerSpace project will transform approximately 7,000 square feet of Wilson Arts’ existing building into a dynamic, hands-on creative hub featuring studios for ceramics, woodworking, metalsmithing, and more. The space is designed to support learners of all ages, provide workforce-ready skills, and foster creativity as a tool for mental wellness, personal expression, and community connection.

Wilson Arts has already raised $1.47 million toward the project, with construction currently underway and visible progress being made. The project began earlier this year to align with grant and funding timelines and is expected to be complete by the end of May. Total construction costs are estimated at $1.8 million, with additional funding still needed for equipment and program launch.

“This MakerSpace represents an investment in Wilson’s future,” said Blair Myers, Board President of Wilson Arts. “We’re creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, explore their creativity, and connect with one another. This challenge is an opportunity for our entire community to be part of something lasting and meaningful.”

“We’re asking our community to help us meet this moment,” Hardison added. “Whether it’s a first-time gift or continued support, every contribution matters.  Right now, every dollar goes twice as far.”

Wilson Arts encourages individuals, businesses, and community partners to make a gift before the July 31 deadline to help unlock the full $200,000. Pledges can be made over three years, with flexible monthly, quarterly, or annual options. In addition to new contributions, increased gifts and lapsed gifts for the capital campaign over 18 months will count towards the challenge grant.

All donors contributing toward the project will be recognized as part of this transformational project.

For more information or to contribute, visit www.wilsonarts.com/makerspace or contact Cathy Hardison at (252) 291-4329 or cathy@wilsonarts.com.

About Wilson Arts

Wilson Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Wilson County through visual arts, performing arts, and arts education. Through exhibitions, classes, performances, and community programs, Wilson Arts serves thousands of residents each year and is committed to making the arts accessible to all.

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Summer Camp: Stories Alive #3

STORIES ALIVE #3 Performing Arts Camp

Week of August 10-14

Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14

Campers become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.

This camp is part of the full day STEAM camp with Imagination Station. There are limited spaces open to non-STEAM camp participants.

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Stories Alive #2

STORIES ALIVE #2 Performing Arts Camp

Week of July 27-31

Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14

Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members

Campers become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.

THIS CAMP IS PART OF THE FULL-DAY STEAM CAMP WITH IMAGINATION STATION. There are limited spaces open to non-STEAM camp participants.

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Once Upon a Studio

ONCE UPON A STUDIO with Frank Johnson III

Week of July 27-31

Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18

Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members

Campers will dive into a variety of creative ways to explore visual story telling. Led by artist and art teacher Frank Johnson III, you will learn how to tap into your imagination and create visual narratives through multiple forms of mediums.

THIS CAMP IS PART OF THE FULL-DAY STEAM CAMP WITH IMAGINATION STATION. There are limited spaces open to non-STEAM camp participants.

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Comic Art

COMIC ART with Brandon Sanders

Week of July 27-31

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-18

Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members

Instructor and professional comic artist Brandon Sanders will guide campers in the art of creating comics by exploring the fundamentals of imagining and drawing characters and developing a story line, with the goal of creating their very own comic strips!

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Art in Layers

ART IN LAYERS with Abby Boykin

Week of July 20-24

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18

Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members

In this mixed media camp, artist and art instructor Abby Boykin will explore drawing from life, mixed media collages and everything in between. Campers will be introduced to foundational drawing techniques and learn how to incorporate their skills into a variety of projects.

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Art Adventures #2

ART ADVENTURES #2 with Tiara Taylor

Week of July 13-17

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-18

Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members

In this creative journey led by Wilson Arts staff member and educator Tiara Taylor, campers will find their own artistic voice by investigating different creative mediums each day – everything from origami and collage to painting and jewelry making!  This would be a perfect camp for those who may be new to exploring the creative process – there’s a little bit of everything to try!

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Stories Alive

STORIES ALIVE Performing Arts Camp

Week of June 22-26

Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14

Campers become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.

This camp is part of the full day STEAM camp with Imagination Station. There are limited spaces open to non-STEAM camp participants.

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: The Scent Lab

THE SCENT LAB with Shanita Battle

Week of June 22-26

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18

Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members

In this camp, you will find the art of alchemy! Led by Shanita Battle, campers will explore the process of soap making, create boombastic bath bombs and candle making just to name a few. The sweet smell of success awaits!

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.

Summer Camp: Disney’s Aristocats KIDS

DISNEY’S ARISTOCATS KIDS

Week of June 15-19

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.), 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Friday)
Ages: Rising 2nd – 6th graders

$175 for the week ($150 for 2026 Wilson Arts members)

This camp is at capacity. If interested, please fill out the registration form and select “Please add me to the wait list”.

Ev’rybody wants to be a cat. And now you can. Filling the alleys of Paris are Disney’s favorite felines. This musical stage adaptation has all the tunes and tuna from the classic animated film.

A kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it’s up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O’Malley, and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day.

CAMP RESERVATIONS

Visit wilsonarts.com/camps for more camp information and online registration or call 252-291-4329.