Children have a knack for appreciating the simpler parts of life. I love a gathering of extended family members where the youngest child is invited the say the mealtime blessing. If you’ve been a part of any of these, you know the speaker is bound to toss a few wildcards into their words of gratitude: their dog, their favorite TV show, the color blue … you get the idea. See how this sort of thanksgiving becomes interpreted through a new medium – quite literally – at the Chowan Arts Council.
For the past month members of the arts council went to the Chowan County Boys and Girls Club on Friday afternoon. They spent a few hours there each week, teaching the children artistic techniques and crafts and helping them to create collages around the theme: What I’m Thankful For.
“It’s always so much fun seeing what the kids come up with,” says Regan Coxe, president of Chowan Arts Council. “They’re just always so funny.”
On November 8 the art gallery hosts an opening reception in which these kids’ work goes on display to the public. The young artists themselves come early to prep and get ready to greet the incoming gallery goers, who arrive when the doors open at 5:30 p.m. Spectators admire the artwork, and they’re invited to place bids on their favorite pieces. The one that receives the most bids will be featured on a billboard for the Chowan Arts Council.
The project with the Boys and Girls Club is part of the Chowan Arts Council's larger mission, which is to encourage and enhance artistic opportunities for the community’s youth. Members of the arts council visit local schools and hold special events and programs for the children. With limited opportunities in the area for learning about and practicing the arts, Chowan Arts Council seeks to supplement the cultural programs and also increase children's interest in the arts.
If you love art or love seeing life through a younger person’s eyes, don’t miss the opening reception on Thursday, November 8. Not only are you supporting the arts offerings in Chowan, but it’s also a wonderful chance to interact with younger members of the community.
“The children are so excited during the opening,” Regan says, recalling last year’s event. “They’re running around beforehand, looking for their artwork. They get so excited to see it displayed on the walls.”
This opening reception is just one of several upcoming events on the arts council’s calendar. The gallery also welcomes a metal-smithing event on November 14 and 15. That exhibit features the work of Dorothy Ansel as well as about nine other metal artists.
In December the gallery swaps out metals for mouthwatering delicacies. During Edenton's annual Christmas Candlelight Tour on December 14 and 15, Chowan Arts Council invites tour-goers to their gallery for Confection Perfection Sweets by the Sound event. Take a break from the chilly December air and enjoy a treat while admiring the gallery’s artwork.
For the 2019 schedule, Chowan Arts Council is bustling to get ready for the Edenton Pilgrimage of Historic Homes. This biennial event shows off 19 private residences that showcase Edenton’s reputation as “The South’s Prettiest Town.” It additionally raises funds for future historic preservation projects.
Take advantage of the Chowan Arts Council’s events and deepen your appreciation for the connection between Edenton’s community and the arts. You can learn about all of their upcoming events and more on their website and our Edenton Daytime Events page.
About the Author Hannah Lee Leidy
Hannah Lee is a fiction and creative nonfiction writer living on the Outer Banks. She graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Traveling is her passion, but nowhere ever feels as much like home as the Outer Banks. When not planning her next trip or adventure, Hannah Lee loves aimless drives down the Beach Road, spending copious amounts of time in coffee shops and reading every short story collection she gets her hands on. 