These aren’t your average watercolors.

A visit to Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre this month is a surprising adventure in color—three rooms of vibrant watercolors representing some of the best the genre has to offer in North Carolina.

The Watercolor Society of North Carolina, eastern region, exhibit opened with a reception Wednesday night at the Turnage. Featuring artists from Raleigh to the coast, with a good showing by local artists, the exhibit is set to run through Sept. 30.

“There are more bold, abstract watercolors than I’ve ever seen in a watercolor show,” said Thad Aley, AOP’s art exhibits and events coordinator.

The Watercolor Society of North Carolina, Inc. was founded in 1972, in order to recognize professional and artistic excellence through competitions and by elevating standards. The organization hosts workshops featuring nationally recognized artists, sponsors juried exhibitions and hosts a variety of informational programs. As part of the current exhibit, renowned watercolorist Jeffrey Jakub will hold a watercolor workshop Sept. 11-13, at the Turange Theatre.

Jakub, who lives in Washington, has several pieces in the exhibit, along with other local artists, such as Lynne Anderson, Isabel McCauley Farrell, Pat Holscher, Carol Mann and more.

The exhibit is made up of 55 works, ranging from realist to abstract, rural scenes to detailed urban environments. Of WSNC, eastern region’s 99-member roster, 20 members contributed to the show, Aley said.

The show is open to the public during Arts of the Pamlico’s regular hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 1 to 6 p.m.; Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about AOP’s current and upcoming exhibits, visit www.artsofthepamlico.org.