Weeks of Jan. 19th & 26th, 2026

Youth Arts Continue to Grow at the Turnage

Adult and youth arts programs are underway at the Turnage! Arts of the Pamlico’s youth arts programming took a big step in 2023 & 2024 under the direction of AOP’s team members Kelly Shanafelt, Bronte Labbe, and Ethan Wolf. Wolf has continued efforts to grow all forms of free art opportunities in 2026.

Thanks to a grant from Anonymous Trust and Edward Jones, Rod Cantrell, and private donations, AOP’s Winter Performing Arts Camp youth was offered for free and will bring a production of Annie Jr. to the stage for four shows on January 23, 24 & 25, directed by Savannah Wolf. Tickets can be purchased at artsofthepamlico.org. Grant funds are also supporting the NC Department of Natural Sciences teaming up with AOP to bring its Time for Science Beyond the Blue planetarium and STEM programs to the theatre throughout 2026. Shows are offered at varied times and can be found on the website calendar. This spring, grant and donated funds are supporting family flicks, which will begin in mid-February with a Claymation film, Early Man, on the big screen in tandem with hands-on pottery activities in the Gallery by new AOP Affiliate, Pamlico River Pottery Guild. In April, a pairing of free spring art break camps will be offered at the Turnage: a mixed arts camp and an art in the garden camp, making interactive art and urban gardening two times, between March 30 – April 2 and April 6 -10, 2026. Registration will open soon with a limited capacity. 

This spring, Solina Dance and Le Moulin Rouge de Danse take the stage for their respective shows. Artist Nancy Winn and Unnatural Resources Institute will be providing free, hands-on family art workshops at the theatre, supported by grant funding throughout the year, and supporting the team in providing art activities, Paint the Town Blue, and at Bath Fest and Aurora Fossil Festival this spring. And in June, AOP is gearing up to offer several weeks of summer youth art camps. Camps will be free if donations and grant funding can be secured. Sponsorships and donations are being accepted at artsofthepamlico.org/support.

Adult arts and cultural activities are underway, including live music and the upcoming fundraiser Gala – 100 Years & More! On January 31 at the Turnage Theatre. The event will feature culinary and entertainment treats, a complimentary glass of champagne, and a surprise gift of art for ticket holders. In February, two exhibits open in the Turnage Gallery by the Pamlico River Pottery Guild and the reboot of the AOP annual juried photography show, with submissions accepted through January 28 – 30 and a public opening reception on February 6 at 5:30 PM.  Mark your calendars for free movie matinees with a suggested donation of $5 start in February on Thursdays, and live music takes the stage with Morgan Hudson & Company on February 20. And more!

To learn more about your arts council and giving options, please visit artsofthepamlico.org or email debra@artsofthepamlico.org to learn more.