Get ready for some visual stimulation.
A variety of canvas creations, sculpted works and handcrafted pieces will be on display–and for sale at affordable prices–during the annual Art for the Masses event this Saturday at UNC-Wilmington.
The brainchild of local photographer Matt Dols got its start in 2002 in the former Roudabush building in downtown Wilmington. From the onset, the goal has been to showcase the talents of emerging artists at a price mainstream art aficionados can afford.
This popular annual event was put on hold for a couple of years after its sponsor, nonprofit organization Creative Wilmington, disbanded in 2010.
But UNCW offered Art for the Masses a permanent home in 2012, effectively continuing the tradition of making art accessible to all. The program is coordinated through Campus Life Arts and Programs and the Department of Art and Art History.
This year’s event–held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the university’s Burney and Warwick centers–features more than 150 artists selling pieces for $250 or less. Participating artists retain 100 percent of proceeds from their sales.
Art for the Masses is free but donations are requested at the door to help fund public arts projects at UNCW. Food will be available for purchase in the Warwick Center.
It’s one of many happenings around town over the next few days. From an old-time bluegrass show to a stage adaptation of everyone’s favorite Christmas movie–and lots more in between–we’ve got it all listed below in our weekly arts and entertainment roundup.
Most of these items come straight from The Scene, where it’s always free to post and peruse the latest events.
Music
Country duo Love and Theft performs at Ziggy’s By The Sea tonight (Thursday) as part of its “The Night That You’ll Never Forget” tour. Joel Crouse and DJ DU are the special guests. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $25.
Brooklyn Arts Center hosts the Wilmington Bluegrass and Old Time Music Show Friday. The concert features End of the Line and The Carmonas, with special guest Big Al Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. Lawn chairs are welcome.
Funk and jazz fusion band The Nth Power, featuring Nikki Glaspie and Nigel Hall, plays Ziggy’s with Groove Fetish on Friday. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the concert gets underway at 9. Admission is $10.
Chilean guitarist and singer Nano Stern performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Thalian Hall. The 27-year-old performer has released four critically acclaimed solo albums in five years. His sound is drawn from the traditional music of Latin America and European folk songs, mixed with more contemporary, improvisational jazz-rock. Tickets are $18-$32 and can be purchased here.
The Wilmington Symphony welcomes Noel Paul Stookey— “Paul” of the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary–to UNC-Wilmington’s Kenan Auditorium stage at 8 p.m. Saturday. Peter, Paul and Mary are known for such hits as “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “If I Had a Hammer” and “The Wedding Song.” Tickets are $40 ($20 for students).
The Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra, along with the Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings, perform a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults (free for youth 17 and under).
Fermental presents its weekly jazz music series every Sunday in the beer garden, featuring a rotating cast of local jazz musicians performing an early evening acoustic set of originals and traditional styles. The event is free and gets started at 5 p.m.
Theater
“What Doesn’t Kill Me…,” a showcase of three one-act comedies about the predicaments facing women, continues at 8 p.m. tonight at Cape Fear Playhouse. Performances continue at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. A question-and-answer session with the cast, director and playwright will follow the Sunday performance. This is the first presentation by Outrageous Pelican Productions,and is produced in conjunction with the Port City Playwrights’ Project. General admission is $10 tonight and $18 Friday-Sunday ($16 students and seniors).
TheatreNOW dinner theater presents “Trailer Park Christmas” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Written by Durham residents Rachel Klem and Jeffrey Moore, this wild and absurd Christmas show follows Meemaw Hussey and her family as they celebrate the holidays in Whispering Pines Trailer Park. The comedy features live music and audience interaction. Tickets are $22-$42.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical” premieres at 8 p.m. Friday at City Stage. The stage adaptation of the popular holiday movie continues at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18-$25. Click here for more information.
Art
The 15th Annual Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Arts and Crafts Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark Catholic Church. The event features more than 40 vendors selling a variety of homemade gifts, artwork, jewelry, doll clothing, holiday decorations and more. Admission is free. Proceeds benefit A Safe Place and the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Hospitality House.
Cameron Art Museum hosts the two-day workshop, “Fabric Lovers –Create Your Own Quilt Squares,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 Sunday. Instructors September Krueger and Kristin Gibson will share techniques in dyeing, printing and painting and explore ways to make a series of original patterns and designs. The workshop is open to all ages and skill levels. The class fee is $115 ($100 for CAM members), and materials are included.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or [email protected].
