Wilson Arts

10/20/2026

Every village has its stories.🕯️

Do you know any local legends?

Tell us below, then join us for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Oct. 31–Nov. 15 at the Boykin Center in Downtown Wilson.

Advance tickets:
$12 adults
$10 seniors/students

WilsonArts.com/Tickets or call 252-291-4329

ALSO, for any youth interesting being part of the tech team for the show, the technician form is now available on the website at WilsonArts.com/AFYAuditions

10/20/2026

Lots of smiles yesterday as participants at Diversified Opportunities, Inc. spent time working with watercolors. They were also very excited to receive a Fall and Christmas coloring book to enjoy from Joshua Greene at Acculist Wilson One Stop Printing & Mailing!

10/15/2026

🎸 “Take it easy” tonight at the Boykin Center!

On the Border – The Ultimate Eagles Tribute takes the stage TONIGHT at 7:30 pm! Come sing along to the Eagles classics you know and love.

🎟️ Tickets still available!
🚪 Lobby & box office open at 6:30 pm
🎶 Show starts at 7:30 pm

Grab your tickets and join us for a great night of music!

Call the box office at 252-291-4329 or visit wilsonarts.com/tickets

📸 photo by Gray Whitley and Wilson Tourism Development Authority

10/14/2026

THEY ARE BACK... TOMORROW NIGHT!!

On The Border - the Ultimate Eagles Tribute returns to the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, and we can't think of a better way to spend Thursday evening!

www.WilsonArts.com/bs29otb for more info and online ticket link or 252-291-4329.

10/14/2026

Auditions for Playhouse of Wilson's Christmas fundraiser revue is coming up later this month! See their post below for more information

‘Tis the Season & Happy Holidays! 🎄🎅🏽🕎

A Very Playhouse Christmas is a special holiday fundraising event benefiting The Playhouse of Wilson. This is not a traditional revue or fully produced musical. Instead, the event will bring together performers from our community for an evening of holiday music while helping support The Playhouse and its future productions.

We’re looking for performers to share classic carols, modern holiday favorites, and beloved seasonal songs in their own unique style. Whether your style is traditional, jazzy, soulful, contemporary, or something completely different, we want to see what you can bring to the stage.

WHAT TO PREPARE

Please come prepared to perform 32 bars of a song you would like to perform in the show.

• Please bring sheet music for our accompanist.
• A pianist will be available at auditions.
• Choose a song that showcases your voice and personality.

If cast, you may have the opportunity to perform your audition song as part of the show!

AUDITION DATES & LOCATIONS:

Sunday, October 25, 2026
3:00–5:00 PM
The Kennedy Family Theater at Barton College
Woodard St NE
Wilson, NC 27893

Monday, October 26, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM
Wilson Arts Center
204 Nash St
Wilson, NC 27893

PERFORMANCES:

December 4 & 5, 2026
The Kennedy Family Theater at Barton College

REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS

Rehearsal dates and times will be announced soon.

Cast members should be prepared to attend scheduled rehearsals and communicate any conflicts in advance. Because this production has a limited rehearsal period, consistent attendance and preparation will be important to the success of the show.

We are excited to celebrate the holiday season with you and can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage!

Break legs!

10/13/2026

Calling all makers, artists, and photographers!

The 22nd Annual North Carolina Whirligig Festival is just around the corner, and there are THREE ways to let your creativity shine!

🌀 BUILD YOUR OWN WHIRLIGIG
Turn found materials into a whimsical creation that moves! Open to all ages, with Professional Artist/Business, Amateur, and Youth (17 & under) categories.
🏆 $250 prize in each category
📅 Register by November 6 at 5 p.m.
✅ Free entry; pre-registration required

📸 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Share your favorite images from past festivals or the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park! Open to ages 18+, with up to three photos per entrant.
🏆 $250 Best in Show • $100 Honorable Mention • $100 People’s Choice
📅 Submit photos to the Wilson Arts Center by October 24
🖼️ Photos will be displayed during the November 7–8 festival!

🖍️ CHALK ART COMPETITION
Transform the sidewalks at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park with colorful 2D or 3D art! Open to all ages, with materials provided (or bring your own).
🏆 1st place receives: $250 for 3D/Professional • $150 for Amateur • $100 for Youth (17 & under)
📅 Register by October 31 at 5 p.m.
✅ Free entry; pre-registration required

Ready to create? Find complete details and entry information at:
https://whirligigfestivalnc.org/art-contests/

Let’s celebrate the creativity in our community! ✨

10/12/2026

Last week at Wilson Arts… WHEW!!! 🎭🎨🎶

Just look at everything we packed into one week:

🎭 The final performance of ACT! for Youth’s Chicago: Teen Edition
🀄 Our Muahahaha Mahjong Fundraiser raised over $1,600 toward the MakerSpace!
🎨 A visit from Barton Art & Design’s Junior Seminar class
💪 Barton Service Day brought 20 students to help move items from storage into the MakerSpace and clean seats at the Boykin Center
🎂 We celebrated Mr. Bob’s 94th birthday!
🚌 We welcomed 43 high schoolers from Newton Grove to the gallery
🦖 We joined the Warbirds Family Film Series at Jurassic Park and made some dinos of our own
🎷 And when a hurricane blew through, we hosted the Wilson Jazz Festival’s main stage events at the Boykin Center!
 
Thank you to everyone who helped make it all happen. ❤️

It’s a new week, and there’s more coming your way!
 
🎃 ACT! for Youth rehearsals for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow are underway. The show opens HALLOWEEN NIGHT!
🎸 Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 PM: Boykin Series 29 welcomes back On the Border – The Ultimate Eagles Tribute!
🏺 Friday, October 16: Pottery in the Park from 3:30-5:00 PM at the Stantonsburg Town Park
✏️ Saturday, October 17: Figure Drawing Workshop. Registration closes Wednesday, October 14!
🎤 Also Saturday: Wilson Idol takes the stage at the Boykin Center. This is a rental event, independently presented from Wilson Arts. You can find a link to tickets and more information on our website.

Find more information and links to all the happenings on our website at wilsonarts.com or call 252-291-4329

10/10/2026

The Wilson Jazz Festival is still on, just a little venue change to the Edna Boykin Cultural Center. Don’t let the rainy weather keep you away from a day of great music!

📍 LOCATION CHANGE! 📍

Rain won’t stop the music! 🌧️🎷 Because of the weather, the Bojangles Main Stage and all of our headlining performances are moving indoors to the Edna Boykin Cultural Center. It’s a beautiful historic theater right in the heart of downtown Wilson, at 108 Nash St.

🚗 Parking: The venue doesn’t have its own lot, but free parking is available on Tarboro, Nash, and Pine Streets, plus a free public parking deck at 206 Broad St. W, just a short walk away. ♿ Accessible parking is reserved at the corner of Nash and Tarboro Streets.

Same great headliners, same great music, just a new stage. We’ll see you downtown! 🎶

10/09/2026

If you're coming out for the Wilson Jazz Festival (and you absolutely should!), keep an eye out on their page for updates regarding the rain. The festival is on rain or shine!!!

Rain or shine, we’re going to have a wonderful time. ☀️🌧️

We’re keeping a close eye on the weather and will announce by 10 AM tomorrow whether the Bojangles Main Stage will stay at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park or move indoors to the Edna Boykin Cultural Center.

Check back here for the update, and we’ll see you there! 🎶