By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER Lifestyles & Features Editor
Artists exhibitions and other special events will make the next several months exciting ones for the Beaufort County Arts Council.
The organization is currently hosting a Regional Artists Exchange Exhibition showcasing works by members of the Dare County Arts Council, according to BCAC executive director Joey Toler.
The response to the guest artists exhibition has been positive.
While many of the pieces, of course, feature coastal scenes — including swimmers on the beach and a now-closed U.S. Coast Guard Station — a couple of the paintings portray downtown Washington scenes. One captures the historic Turnage Theater and another is of the old Bank of Washington.
The Dare County paintings will be displayed at the Washington Civic Center gallery until Oct. 14, according to Toler.
Next on the BCAC horizon is the 44th annual juried Arts Show, to be held at the civic center Oct. 23-25.
Pieces for that show are being accepted in four categories — watercolors, oils and acrylics, graphics/open mixed and three-dimensional — and all work entered must be for sale, according to Toler. The fee is $20 for one or two entries and $7.50 each for up to four entries. Artists can enter their work at the civic center on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A show prospectus with guidelines is available online at www.beaufortcountyartscouncil.org.
Together with the City of Washington, the arts council will present a free HeART of the City concert on Oct. 25 during Smoke On The Water. The main stage line-up, according to Toler, includes the Mac and Tammy McRoy Band, eastern North Carolina bluegrass musicians; the finals of Beaufort County Idol, during which 15 singers will vie for top honors; the Donald Underwood Thompson Band, performing rhythm and blues; contemporary covers as presented by Gellin’; and Tape, youth-oriented rock.
The weekend of Dec. 5-6, the arts council will sponsor the 2008 Holiday Arts &Craft Show. The event will be held in the civic center. Also in December, BCAC will kick off its Family Series with Glenis Redmond at the Turnage Theater on Dec. 18. The series continues with Transactors Improv Company on Jan. 29 and Doug Berky on Feb. 9. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and advance tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children age 12 and under. For ticket information, call the Turnage box office at (252) 975-1191 or visit www.turnagetheater.com.
The Washington Civic Center gallery and the Beaufort County Arts Council are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is occasionally closed for private functions, so call (252) 946-2504 to verify hours.