23rd Annual Orange Street Artsfest Call for Artists
February 25, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
CONTACT:
Susan Habas
Thalian Association Community Theatre
910-251-1788

23rd ANNUAL ORANGE STREET ARTSFEST CALL FOR ARTISTS

Memorial Day Weekend May 26 & 27, 2018

WILMINGTON, NC –Thalian Association Community Theatre is seeking artists for the 23^rd Orange Street ArtsFest, Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 26^th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday May 27^th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The celebrated street fair will return to Orange Street next to the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, with some artists inside the building. The popular juried festival is the largest springtime arts festival in downtown Wilmington and will feature over 80 artists from North Carolina and surrounding states, with local entertainment and refreshments.

Applicants must submit a color photo of original work in acrylic, oils, watercolor, sculpture, drawing, graphics, wearable arts, leather jewelry, clay, glass, fiber, metal work or mixed media. Photographically or commercially reproduced work is also acceptable in limited editions, signed and numbered by the artist. An early bird entry fee of $135 will be offered until April 30, 2018 and artists will be eligible for awards and $550 in prize money. For complete details about booth rental, deadlines and application process please visit Wilmington Community Arts or email Samantha Herrick, Community Arts Center Director.

The Southeast Tourism Society just named the Orange Street ArtsFest one of its Top 20 Events in the Southeast for May 2018. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes the events throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: Southeast Tourism Society and Travel Media Press Room.

Thalian Association Community Theatre launched the Orange Street ArtsFest in 1995 to promote the arts in Wilmington and the Community Arts Center (CAC), located in the Historic USO building. Thalian Association Community Theatre has managed the Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington since 1994. The 76-year-old landmark building, long recognized as the center of visual and performing arts, was completely renovated in 2008 and is now known as the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center. More information about the building and its history can be found on Wilmington Community Arts

The Orange Street ArtsFest is a family friendly event for visitors of all ages featuring entertainment from Thalian Association Community Theatre and artists who teach and perform in the Community Arts Center year-round. Another highlight of the festival is the return of the High School Student’s Art Contest Exhibition presented by the Wilmington Art Association. The exhibition features the work of students from public and private high schools in New Hanover County on display with the WWII exhibits in the lobby of the fully renovated Historic USO building.

Established in 1788, Thalian Association Community Theatre is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to enhancing the Cape Fear region through live community theatre and arts education. Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions annually on the Main Stage at historic Thalian Hall and professionally manages the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington. The youth theatre program offers training and performance opportunities for children age seven through high school seniors. In 2007, Thalian Association Community Theatre was designated North Carolina’s Official Community Theater by the state legislature.