Growing up in Western New York, Janice Castiglione lived above her family’s tavern. While there was a lot of activity around her, she was often bored and would amuse herself by drawing for hours while sitting at the restaurant’s dining room table. Over time, this became a passion of hers, and Janice went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Empire State College in Illustration and Graphic Design.
While raising her family, Janice taught art classes and freelanced for companies like Random House, American Greetings and Modern Publishing. Later, she joined Fisher Price and created the look of hundreds of Little People figures and play sets, including Disney.
She loved her job, but her true passion has always been watercolor. Janice finds the colors and flowing textures exciting. She also likes a good challenge and remains determined to master a medium that many find to be the most difficult. The subjects of her paintings are typically found in the natural world.
Janice teaches watercolor at Museum School at Cameron Art Museum, has won many awards and was twice accepted into the Society of Illustrators Exhibit in New York City and published in their annual book. She currently lives in Wilmington, NC and teaches watercolor classes and workshops at Museum School at Cameron Art Museum.
Artist Owen Wexler died on December 29, 2022 at the age of 80, leaving a legacy of fine art and civic-heartedness that made a Wilmington a better place.
Owen grew up in the Bronx, NYC, and graduated from the City College of New York with a Bachelors of Fine Arts, before studying on full scholarship at the Art Institute of Chicago where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting and drawing. He was an art teacher, then Dean of Flushing High School, and eventually, with the financial support of our mom and the success of his sales, he was able to become a full-time artist. He was amazed that the little boy with the brush and vision was able to make a great living selling his artwork. His work has graced the walls of museums and galleries around the country and was a source of pride and joy for him. He loved talking about art, teaching art, and just being the Artist. It was who he was meant to be and he always saw the world through a pencil, a brush, a lens, a palette.
We invite friends and family to join us in a Celebration of Artist Owen’s life and viewing of his artwork on April 28th, his birthday, as part of our community’s Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, at the ACES Gallery, 221 North Front Street, from 6 to 9 pm. Donations can be made to Airlie Gardens, where he and mom left pieces of their hearts, 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington NC, 28403, or the Arts Council of Wilmington, 221 N Front St #101, Wilmington, NC 28401.
ebb and flow
Kari Feuer
March 24th 2023 – April 25th 2023
Kari Feuer’s exhibit, “Ebb and Flow” features atmospheric oil paintings of our coastal skies and water, capturing the movement and light in nature’s vibrant colors.
Bliss
Annie Ingram
February 24th 2023 – March 21st 2023
A Contemporary Impressionist, Annie creates art for happy dreamers.
Growing Natives: Botanical Art and Illustration from the Backyard
Mari Yamashita de Moya
January 27th 2023 – February 21st 2023
Mari Yamashita de Moya captures the high notes of seasonal plants in classical still life format. The botanicals are depicted realistically in true to scale form, each specimen is meticulously recreated using a European and Western style that has the image float on a white background.
Converging Pathways: A Multidisciplinary Art Exhibition
Brian Jones
November 25th 2022 – December 2oth 2022… extended until January 24th 2023
This exhibition showcases the different forms of expression explored by Jones over the past 8 years, including freeform wood carving, metalwork, forging, and sculpture using thread to create sacred geometry over reclaimed live edge wood.
Inspiration Station
Whimsey Rae’s Artistry
October 28th 2022 – November 22nd 2022
Whimsey Rae loves flowers, colors and textures, so don’t be surprised when you see a lot of that in her work. Inspiration Station includes a variety of works, from mixed art portraits to resin coasters.
Eighteen Forward Artists
Eighteen Forward
September 23rd 2022 – October 25th 2022
Involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, the artists at Eighteen Forward create with a goal to inspire others to take a step towards unity, equity, and love.
Everybody Dreams
Artist Collective
August 26th 2022 – September 21st 2022
At DREAMS Center for Arts Education, every child is given the opportunity to grow into the person they wish to become through creative expression. This Fourth Friday gave an opportunity to twelve featured student artist to display their creations in a gallery setting.
Searching for Chemistry
Art Centered
July 22nd 2022 – August 24th 2022
Renato and Anne create clay masterpieces through a variety of different techniques including throwing, hand building and sculpture. They also work with wood, metal, wire and beads.
Urthie Artz
Leah Marie
June 24th 2022 – July 20th 2022
Abstract art with a dab of pixie dust
Luminous Color
Ayumeg Art
May 22nd 2022 – June 22nd 2022
Humbled and thrilled, this was Ayumeg.art’s first solo exhibit.
Reggae Redemption Rising: We Are One Exhibit
Various Artist Showcase
March 25th 2022 – April 29th 2022… extended until May 20th 2022
A variety of African, Caribbean and Jamaican inspired artwork. The artist showcased in this unique exhibit include eL Seed from Uganda, Nii Narku Thompson from Ghana, Maximillian Mozingo from Goldsboro, NC and local Wilmington artist, Cammeron Batanides.
Getting to Know Us
Wilmington Arts Association
February 25th 2022 – March 22nd 2022
A collection of 25 Individual Artist.