Upcoming Events

CALL FOR ARTISTS OPEN!
Registration Deadline 10/5/2026

Neptune's Hook by artist Carol Moore

The Associated Artists of Southport

presents the 4th Annual

2026 Southport Maritime Art Show

October 19 – November 14, 2026

More Information and Prospectus

Oak Island Beach Quilters
2026 Challenge
"Black and White and POP of One Color"

QUILT SHOW: 8/24-9/19 - Display is Open!

In addition to the challenge quilts they will be displaying a few of their

charitable donations - they support 14 different charities.

Come by Franklin Square Gallery to see:

an Honors Quilt ( they award quilts to those who bravely serve and protect our community including military personnel, firefighters, police, etc)

a small quilt and some pillowcases, (these are donated to Novant Health Brunswick Center) and

a “quilt buddy” ( a stuffed animal wrapped in a small quilt given to Hope Harbor Shelter for Abused Women ).

Be sure to come by the gallery and see a new, novel, fun display idea to go along with the challenge quilts.

Winners photos and the challenge are below.

Award-winning artist Benjamin Billingsley holds an MFA from UNC-Greensboro and has exhibited work in the United States, Latvia, Estonia, Russia,and Japan. Ben taught studio art and art history at Cape Fear Community College from 2001 - 2026,

and in 2006 received the

Marilyn Goodman Anderson Endowed Award for

Excellence in Teaching.

Billingsley is also Associate Curator at theCameron Art Museum, where he has curated several recent exhibitions,including From Mountains to Sea and The Game Changers: Diebenkorn,Frankenthaler, and Rauschenberg.

Lecture Series by
Professor Ben Billingsley

Professor Ben Billingsley, Associate Curator at the Cameron Art Museum will be presenting.

Upcoming Lectures:

September 21st (Monday) from 3-5 PM - Vincent van Gogh

October 19th (Monday) Matisse & Picasso

Benjamin Billingsley will offer an engaging look at the life and art of Vincent van Gogh, tracing the artist’s remarkable development from his early years and unconventional career ambitions—including work as an art dealer, teacher, and evangelist—to his emergence as one of the defining figures of modern art. The lecture will explore Van Gogh’s close, complicated relationship with his brother Theo, whose emotional and financial support was central to Vincent’s artistic life, while placing his evolving style, bold use of color, and expressive brushwork within the broader history of art. Billingsley’s presentation will invite audiences to see Van Gogh not simply as the tragic figure of popular imagination, but as an innovative artist whose brief career fundamentally reshaped the possibilities of painting.

Reserve Your Seat

50th Annivesary Create Your Own Peace Pole!
Tuesday, September 22
10am until 4pm

Join us for a mix of art, spirit, and nature, as we spend a day creating peace poles for our yard, garden, or community.

$80 includes all materials to create your own 2’ tall Peace Pole

All proceeds benefit our Paint and Repair 50th anniversary initiative.

Upstairs workshop Franklin Square Gallery.

Holly Clarke-Dull, Artist-instructor

The peace pole movement started in Japan in response to the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Masahisa Goi, the originator, dedicated his life to spreading the message, "May Peace Prevail on Earth." Peace Poles bear this message, typically in different languages, on each of the four sides of the pole. We will be creating our own Peace Poles in an array of colors with this message and/or our own thoughts, quotes, prayers, or poetry, all with the intention of spreading a little more peace, love, and light in this world.

50th Anniversary Acrylic Paint Pouring with Deb Voso!
October 17th
9:30 am until 12 pm

As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, we're thrilled to welcome back Deb Voso, who will share her unique painting style in a fun and creative environment—perfect for both beginners and experienced artists!

This year, due to popular demand, we're diving into acrylic paint pouring again! Expect a lively atmosphere where you can get

a little messy while expressing your creativity.

Don’t forget to bring a large box to transport your beautiful creations home.

$40 All materials included

Fun is guaranteed!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Registrations open soon!

Upcoming Events at the Gallery
2026

MEMBERS SHOW: Now -10/17

QUILT SHOW: 8/24-9/19 -Display Open Now!

In addition to the challenge quilts they will be displaying a few of their

charitable donations - they support 14 different charities.

In particular,

an Honors Quilt ( they award quilts to those who bravely serve and protect our community including military personnel, firefighters, police, etc)

a small quilt and some pillowcases, (these are donated to Novant Health Brunswick Center) and

a “quilt buddy” ( a stuffed animal wrapped in a small quilt given to Hope Harbor Shelter for Abused Women ).

Be sure to come by the gallery and see a new, novel, fun display idea to go along with the challenge quilts.

See the 2026 Winners here!