Founded in 1962 in the parlor of art patron Annie Winkler's home, the Wilkes Art Gallery has experienced many transformations over the years.  Perhaps the most dramatic of these was the 2004 move into the renovated, original North Wilkesboro Post Office building located in the heart of downtown North Wilkesboro.  The Gallery's 10,000 square foot facility includes over 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, an education center with a complete ceramics studio, painting and drawing studios, two multi-purpose classrooms, and a Gallery Gift Shop.  The Wilkes Art Gallery provides quality educational experiences through exhibits, classes and workshops for all ages.  Art surrounds us all.  Join us in celebrating the arts and their value 24:7.

Clay Matters: Works from Carolina ClayMatters Pottery Guild On display from June 12 until August 1 at the Wilkes Art Gallery. This exhibit will display a variety of works and styles that depict the wide range of clay as an artistic and functional medium. Carolina Clay Matters was founded over 15 years ago in Charlotte by Leslie Betz Malone, potter and instructor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The group has grown over the years to now include approximately 100 members. Exhibiting potters include Gary Rubin, Tamia Hynes, Elizabeth Lee, Kimbrell Frazier, Ralph Mello, Lambeth Marshall, Sylvia Coppola, Verna Witt, Jo Maddox, Ju-Ian Shen, Mila Antonyuk, Michael Hamlin-Smith, Doris Landrum, Missy Moss, Lib Moss, Beth Beare, Jinny Hargrave, Gena VanDyke, Judy Abdelaziz, Babs Goodall, Brenda Roberts, Robin Beckett, Raine Middleton, Roger Strom, Dorothy Cole, Bill Stewart, Holly Stewart, Pam Dolin, Darla Hudson, Keith Myers, JK Moyles, and Ine van den Bosch. The exhibit will be on display from June 12 to August 1 and is sponsored by Johnston Casuals.

En Pointe: New Works in Oil by Kevin Aita On display from June 12 until August 1 at the Wilkes Art Gallery. This exhibit will feature new works by local artist Kevin Aita. Kevin works primarily with Oil on Linen and paints in, what Matthew C. Foley described as “Painterly Photorealism”. He admits that his current technique is less painterly than earlier works because he always tries to let the physicality of the medium show through to remind the viewer that they are indeed looking at a painting. If one looks at areas of the painting out of context of the rest, they sometimes can appear as abstract or even non objective paintings. Kevin paints what he is passionate about and is currently painting musicians, instruments and their interplay. He has also just completed a series of dancers and several commissioned portraits and landscapes. The exhibit will be on display through August 1 and is sponsored by Johnston Casuals.

Summer Art Camp Ages 5-8, 10am to Noon; Ages 9-13, 1 to 3pm. Summer Art Camp begins at the Wilkes Art Gallery on June 16. Each class is one week in duration. All camps except the preschool camp are $50 per week for members and $65 per week for non-members. Limited scholarships are available. To secure registration, a 50% deposit is required. Each camp is limited to 10 participants. “Imagining Me” will meet June 15 to 19 and is open to preschool age children, ages 3 to 5. The camp meets from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children will play, explore and discover in three exciting art studios created just for them! Sunny days will be spent smooshing and squishing clay, mixing, swirling and painting with bright liquid watercolors and cubes of frozen paint. Campers will spend time collecting, sorting and building with found objects and natural materials. Together, we will explore the beauty of our natural world. Our experienced educators will encourage children to communicate their ideas and stories and facilitate long-lasting connections between the arts and nature. Registration deadline is June 9. “Clay Creations” will meet June 15 to 19. and will be instructed by Chelsy Miller. Ages 5 to 8 meet from 10 a.m. to noon and ages 9 to 13 meeting from 1p.m. to 3p.m. You can make it with clay. Learn to make a cup, plate, bowl and mug. Campers will make a complete place-setting of their own original design. The week will be completed by making vases and other functional ceramic forms. Interested participants will experiment with both hand-building and wheel throwing techniques. Campers will also experiment with making sculptural “food” to accent their place settings. Registration deadline is June 9. “Be a Mini Master – with Clay, Wire, Paper” will meet June 22 to 26 and will be instructed by Gilda Aita. Ages 5 to 8 meet from 10 a.m. to noon and ages 9 to 13 meet from 1p.m. to 3p.m. Explore color and painting techniques that have been used by famous artists from Monet to Van Gogh. Make your own clay piece to glaze and fire, construct “sculptures” from wire and experiment with hand-made paper. The Registration deadline is June 16. “Puppets, Paperworks and Paper – Mâché Creatures” will meet July 13 to 17 and will be instructed by Cindy Pardue. Ages 5 to 8 meet from 10 a.m. to noon and ages 9 to 13 meeting from 1p.m. to 3p.m. Campers will experiment with making their own paper and using it to create sculptural objects. Fabric, Paint and Paper-Mâché will be used to create original puppet designs. This week will be one not to miss. Registration Deadline is July 7. “It’s a Green World” will meet July 20 to 24 and be instructed by Connie Broyhill. Ages 5 to 8 meet from 10 a.m. to noon and ages 9 to 13 meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. One kid’s trash is another’s treasure. Campers will use found objects and recycled materials to create paintings, sculpture, birdhouses and more to adorn the summer garden after camp is complete. Registration Deadline is July 14.