For 55 years, Arts of the Pamlico has been putting on a display of some of the finest art to be found in eastern North Carolina. Sunday, oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, textiles and more will be making their way into the Turnage Theatre, as the call for art for the 55^th annual Fine Arts Show progresses from idea to execution to exhibit.

Artists can enter their work into the juried show between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. There are a few requirements: artists must be 18 years old or older; all work must be original (no copies or classwork); it must have been made in the past two years; it must be for sale and priced at a competitive market price; it may not have been shown in a previous AOP Fine Arts Show. Artists are encouraged to submit up to two pieces for the exhibit, according to the FAS prospectus.

Categories include: oil/acrylics, watercolor, pastels, graphics/open mixed media and three-dimensional work, which includes sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, wood, glass, metal, paper, jewelry and more.

Like many AOP shows, the Fine Arts Show is growing, according to Thad Aley, AOP’s events and exhibits coordinator.

“This year is our 55^th year, and we’ve actually increased the amount of cash prizes that are involved. We got a lot more sponsors stepping up to help us out this year,” Aley said.

Special awards range in genres and cash awards, from Best in Show, with a cash prize of $500, and best entry for abstract work, $300; to best emerging artist, $100, and the Irene Glover Forbes Pottery Award, $50.

First-place awards in each of the five categories are $50; $25 for second place.

“This year, we have a juror out of Raleigh, Rebecca Pattman Chandler,” Aley said. “She’s had a 40-year career and her paintings and portraits have won awards from the Water Color Society of North Carolina and the American Pastel Society, and she has exhibited with the Oil Painters of America.”

Judging will be held Monday and the exhibit hung on Tuesday and Wednesday. Arts of the Pamlico will be closed those three days and will reopen again Thursday to host opening reception for AOP members, artists and invited guest. The exhibit will open to public on Friday during normal business hours.

Arts of the Pamlico is located in the Turnage Theatre, 150 W. Main St., Washington. For more information, call 252-946-2504.