Art begets art. A challenge in creativity is being issued by Arts of the Pamlico, as the arts nonprofit expands its exhibits, its artists and its role as inspiration.

AOP’s Turnage Theatre is currently host to three exhibits, two of which launched with a call for artists: The Art of Tea: The Teapot Exhibit and North Carolina Women’s Art Exhibit: Visionary Women — Champions of Peace & Strength. Artists were challenged to submit pieces with those themes and no other guidance. It was artist’s choice.

“I wanted the artist to be creative and encourage them to think outside the box — you, as the artist, tell me what it is. What’s it like in your world? That is what I want to know,” said Thad Aley, AOP’s events and exhibits coordinator.

It’s part of a movement at AOP to inspire more creation and more genres of art within given exhibits. As a result, The Art of Tea is a combination of 2- and 3-D work, including paintings, ceramics, textiles and fiber covering two walls and the front window of the theater’s Art Café.

“It’s easier to get two-dimensional artists involved,” Aley said. “We wanted to start creating more shows where we wanted to encourage more 3-D art. … We wanted to start creating shows that inspire our artists to create for these themed shows.”

With the same theme-based invitation, the women’s show was expanded by not only widening the age range of the artists, but a theme of visionary women, champions of peace and strength, which artists were invited to define in their own way, through their own medium.

“We wanted to increase the age range to 16 and up so we don’t miss out on those really talented high school students who are ready and willing to exhibit their and sell their work,” Aley said.

Artists seem drawn to the challenge. Eight new artists submitted work for the Teapot exhibit, four of them from New Bern. In exchange for rising to the challenge, AOP has increased its number of juried shows, which come with cash prizes for first-place winners.

“With some of our themed shows like these, we’re trying to give back to the artists by giving out small awards,” Aley said.

As the year unfolds, more themed shows will be on display: next month the Seniors Show revolves around “These are a few of my favorite things;” in June, “50 Years of Pride,” LGBT art will be on exhibit. Exhibits with themes of Hispanic heritage, the shadows of fall and monsters and mythological creatures will be gracing the Turnage walls and display cases, in addition to the annual members show, photography show and Fine Arts Show.

“So the tea pot show and women’s show are the first of exciting themes to come,” Aley said.

For more information about upcoming themed shows, visit AOP’s Facebook page and website. Arts of the Pamlico is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington.