Arts of the Pamlico has launched into the new year with a bang — an explosion of arts of all kinds.

Four days of events last week hinted a packed schedule that promises to continue throughout the year.  On Thursday, AOP hosted an art reception for AOP members that featured the work of many artists: oils by the self-taught painter Art Tyndall, an exhibit of musical portraits taken at Beaufort County Traditional Music Association’s shows by Tom Whelan; self-portraits composed in a variety of styles and media by art students at Beaufort County Community College; and the work by students of Washington High School art teacher Damon Walcott. On Friday, horror movie lovers flocked to the Turnage to see a locally produced, independent short film that opened for the film widely known as one of the best horror movies of all time: “The Shining.” Saturday night, an improve troupe took the Turnage stage. On Sunday, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway show “Phantom of the Opera” was screened free to viewers, though donations were encouraged.

When the Beaufort County Arts Council bought the Turnage Theatre in 2013, and moved down the street from its office at the Washington Civic Center, the arts council had to adapt to its new environment. With a historic, working theater at the ready, the performing arts were given more consideration than before, though BCAC continued to offer a regular rotation of visual art exhibits in the Lane Gallery. At the time, some artists felt the BCAC, soon to become Arts of the Pamlico, was shifting focus too much in one direction.

Since taking over as AOP executive director, Debra Torrence has ramped up the offerings in all genres, adding film and documentaries, improv comedy acts and art exhibits that fill every inch of wall space in the Turnage. It’s something that former director Joey Toler had counted on when handing over the reins to Torrence.

“The move to the Turnage changed the way we did business significantly and now it is time to go to the next level. … Debra brings a whole different set of talents to the table that I think will help push us to that level,” Toler said in a past interview.

On the schedule in the coming months are: a children and youth’s playwriting festival scheduled for Jan. 21; a performance by Liverpool, a Beatles tribute band on the same day; a gala AOP fundraiser, a time-travel experience back to the disco-driven nights of the ‘70s; a mixed media art exhibit; a student art exhibit; the Glass Tulip film festival; and starting in February, a variety of adult and youth arts enrichment workshops including Tai Chi, fiber workshops, film and video production workshops and comedy camps for youth and adults.