Discover Who We Are

The Waterway Art Association was established in 1991. We are the only art organization in the southern section of Brunswick County.

Our mission is to "encourage artistic awareness and growth both on an individual as well as community level." We are dedicated to accomplishing this goal through exhibits, shows, lectures, painting demonstrations, art instruction, classes, professional workshops, paint-in and outdoor sketching sessions, and trips to museums. Our member's artistic interests and talents encompass watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, pen and ink, collage, charcoal, and more. All skill levels are welcome as our membership includes beginners to professional artists. Waterway Art Association maintains a cooperative space Sunset River Marketplace where members of the association can exhibit their work for sale.

We meet September through May (excluding December) on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30PM. Meetings are comprised of a business meeting followed by a program such as a demonstration, lecture, or perhaps a helpful critique of member's work by a visiting professional artist. Non-members may attend and are invited to enjoy refreshments.

Our informal Paint-in sessions are held every Wednesday throughout the year from 9:30AM to 12:30PM. Artists bring whatever projects they wish to work on and simply share the experience of painting together. Non-members are invited to join these sessions. On the 1^st and 3^rd Mondays a model is provided for sketching, drawing and painting. A minimal fee is charged to those using the model. Generally 12 to 15 members participate in the model project but others come to paint on their individual projects.

On location sketching and plein-aire painting are offered monthly at various locations. Contact a board officer for locations and dates.

All general meetings and paint-in sessions are held at the Calabash Fire House located on Persimmon Road in Calabash, NC. Those who attend are asked to donate $1.00 toward the use of the facility.

Waterway Art Association's community outreach program extends paint-in sessions to the community by involving participants from Autumn Care Nursing Home and the Shallotte Senior Center on a monthly schedule. A single session was held with the St. Brendan Women's Group. The purpose of this outreach project is to encourage artistic awareness through observation and participation in visual art. This community outreach is supported in part by a Grassroots Arts Program Grant funded through the Brunswick Arts Council.

We currently host two annual events: the Memorial Day Exhibit and the Labor Day Show and Sale. We are also sponsoring a Winter Sale February 17, 2007 at the Calabash Presbyterian Church.

The Memorial Day Exhibit is a non-juried show. Member's art is judged for prizes and is, usually, also for sale. An entrance fee applies and a commission is charged on all sales.

The Labor Day show is an outdoor event. Members pay a nominal fee to participate in this event. This fee helps to offset show expenses. Artists set up their own display and sell their art themselves.