Looking for arts and cultural close to home? Art Beat, from the team at the Arts of the Pamlico about arts and cultural programming offered in Beaufort County, is an opportunity to learn about arts activities in your backyard.

AOP is filling its schedule with lots of activities to engage children’s bodies, hands and minds in many forms of art.

On Saturday at 12:30 p.m., kids can listen in to duck and goose calls on stage at the historic Turnage Theatre after painting a duck decoy at the North Carolina Estuarium. At 2 p.m., kids can join in a soap carving at the Turnage Theatre with Bob Rehb, then dance and join a drum circle on the Turnage Theatre stage at 2:30 p.m. — all for free!

On Feb. 17, AOP is partnering with Moulin Rouge de Danse to offer a Princess & Prince Tea with a dance recital sneak peek. Tickets are available for purchase both at the dance studio or AOP.

When March blows in, Bath Elementary School presents “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on March 1 and March 2. If interested in tickets, please contact Bath Elementary School. On March 23 at 2 p.m., East Carolina University’s Storybook Theatre will present “Bridge to Terabithia” at the Turnage Theatre. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the theatre.

If your child wants to be part of a fun, energetic, up-and-coming group at AOP, Bubblegum Theatre will hold auditions for its spring production, “Pirates of the Pamlico Jr.” on March 26 and March 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Audition material will be provided at the audition — all the kids need to do is show up!

Before we know it, spring will be here. At Havens Gardens playground, join us for Pop Up Art every Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at no charge thanks to support from Duke Energy Foundation. Spring break will be here soon and AOP has its third-annual Art Break Camp planned April 22–26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Rachel and Crystal. Sign up now by calling AOP at 252-946-2504. The low cost for this week of art camp is $50 for AOP members and $65 for non-members.

AOP is a nonprofit organization and the state-designated regional arts council for Beaufort and Washington counties, serving eastern North Carolina and beyond. AOP is one of the longest operating arts councils in the state, at 46 years. AOP is based in its Turnage Theatre in downtown Washington. With live theatre, exhibits, film, music, comedy, children’s programming and virtually every artistic medium represented, you are sure to find an art activity to enjoy when you stop by.

AOP is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington. To learn more about these events or future events, please visit AOP’s website at www.artsofthepamlico.org.

Written by Debra Torrence, executive director of Arts of the Pamlico, and Crystal Holman, AOP’s weekend coordinator.