April 2013

Wilmington Art Association takes Spring Art Show to Historical USO Building in Wilmington, NC - April 12-14

The upcoming Wilmington Art Association (WAA) 2013 Annual Juried Spring Art Show and Sale will mark the 31st anniversary for the Art Show when, once again, it will be a major component of the North Carolina Azalea Festival. The Festival, which was founded in 1948, hosts events such as the coronation of the Festival Queen, a parade, garden tour, circus, and Art Show. This week-long Festival draws over 300,000 visitors to Wilmington each spring, and will be held from Apr. 10 - 14, 2013.

The 2013 Annual Juried Spring Art Show and Sale will be held in the Hannah Block Historical USO Building/Community Art Center, located at 120 South Second Street in Wilmington. WAA is very excited to bring the Art Show to this venue which has such historical significance for the Festival. It was here on April 9, 1948, that the opening celebration for the first Festival was held with a crowd of 2,000 people attending. Everyone assembled in front of the Center where ABC news commentator, Ted Malone, delivered a special edition of his national radio program, which was carried by 275 stations.

Founded by Hugh Morton and Dr. W. Houston Moore, the Festival drew over 75,000 visitors to Wilmington that year.

The Annual Juried Spring Art Show and Sale attracts over 300 artists from across the Southeast each year, with over 100 artists selected by judges to show their work. The Art Show will take place from Friday, Apr. 12 through Sunday, Apr. 14.  

WAA is pleased to announce the names of the two judges for this year’s Show. Both individuals are well known in their fields - one in painting, and the other in photography.

Todd Carignan, judge for two-dimensional fine art, was born and raised in Wilmington. He attended Savannah College of Art and Design, where he received his BFA in Sequential Art with a minor in Art History. He has worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, concept designer, portraitist, printmaker, and fine artist. He experiments in many media and subjects, but his true passion is oils. Carignan teaches art at the Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum’s School and at DREAMS of Wilmington. He hosted a life-drawing group for over a decade, has been a member of the Oil Painters of America, and participates in a Wilmington artists’ critique group. Carignan is a core member of an exquisite corpse artist group called, The Cape Fear Corpsers. He has shown at New Elements, Artfuel Inc., Little River Gallery, Thrive Gallery, and Caprice Bistro.

Joshua Curry, the judge for photography, is a passionate, experienced photographer with a sophisticated portfolio of images that illustrate his artistic eye for composition, color, lighting and mood. Inspired by his experience of growing up on the North Carolina coast, Curry knew at an early age that he would follow an artistic path, immersing himself in the context of his environs. He has captured the spirit of celebrities such as President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the late Frank Capra Jr., and the Honorable Mayor of Wilmington, Bill Saffo. He has established iconic CD covers for emerging musicians, and illustrated the work of artists, craftsmen and chefs, defining the essence of still life subjects - from architectural interiors and travel destinations, to sport cars and food.

For further information check our NC Institutional Gallery listing, e-mail to (springshow@wilmingtonart.org) or visit (www.wilmingtonart.org).

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