The Twin Rivers Artist Association and Craven Community College

The Twin Rivers Artists Association (TRAA) exists to promote and encourage the creation, education, and appreciation of fine art in the region. The membership meets monthly to learn and discuss techniques, provide feedback, make social connections, and distribute news on the arts in the area. Skill levels range from beginners to professional artists, in an environment that encourages cooperation and mentorship. Once a year the Craven Arts Council hosts an exhibition of the group’s membership, combined with students from the local Craven Community College, in order to encourage the creation and exhibition of local art. Works on display will include painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, and mixed media.  

Military Kids Color Our Community
Director's Gallery - April

Craven Arts Council & Gallery is proud to present Military Kids Color Our Community in the Director’s Gallery for the month of April. This exhibition is sponsored by the NC Art’s Council’s Art in Education program featuring the work of children of military parents at Cherry Point. ​Through a grant from the NC Arts Council’s Arts in Education program, students at Havelock High School, in Havelock, NC, home to MCAS Cherry Point, were encouraged to explore how their personal experiences inform their perception of self and their environment and apply these perceptions to a self-portrait.  Portraits from all students were combined into a large movable mural that will be displayed locally for the remainder of the school year.  The grant funded time for artist Lee Hood, a US Army veteran and owner of Large Brush Strokes in New Bern, NC to teach specific skills to carry out the project in collaboration with Havelock High School art teacher Theresa Holtz. The month-long project promoted healing through art and encouraged resilience among students while building community between local and military populations.  

Face to Face: Seeing Community
​Main Gallery - March

Craven Arts Council & Gallery is proud to present Face to Face: Seeing Community in the Main Gallery at the Bank of the Arts. Face to Face: Seeing Community is a new exhibition featuring portraits done by Jill Eberle, Donna Slade, Julie Larrick, and Lee Hood of various members of the Craven County community. These four local award-winning artists are known for their portraiture, but also create various other works as well. In a statement on the exhibition, the artists say “Now more than ever, this exhibition demonstrates the power of people. The people who are the very core of what makes this community such an incredible place to call home. They are community members, partners, and providers demonstrating the power of the individual to make a difference. Our doctors, nurses, first responders, fire fighters come to mind but so do those who stock our grocery shelves, cook our food, deliver our mail, and keep our businesses open. This community is a resilient community because of each and every one of you.” This exhibition will also feature a display in the downtown sculpture park.

Homeschool and Private School Students
​Director's Gallery - March

Craven Arts Council is proud to present work by private and homeschooled students in Craven County in the Director’s Gallery for the month of March. This exhibition will feature work created by students in art classes from various private, parochial and home schools across the county. Students from Epiphany Global School, St. Paul’s Catholic School, Annunciation Catholic School, and various homeschooled students across the county will be exhibiting their work in the Director’s Gallery. Art has been shown to have an integral beneficial effect on youth education in subjects from math and science to literary analysis. Bank of the Arts is pleased to reinforce these ideas by offering the students a chance to exhibit their works in a gallery setting. 

James Stillwell
Director's Gallery - January

Jim Stillwell is a retired architect who has always had in interest in the arts and now in his retirement, has dedicated more time to his artistic pursuits. James Stillwell grew up in Illinois where he eventually received his degree in Architecture at the University of Illinois. While obtaining his degree he took several classes in art and design. He pursued a career in in Architecture and upon retirement, he continued to work in historical architecture including restoring a 200 year old Shenandoah house. Now living in New Bern, he has more time to focus on his artistic endeavors including sketching and painting. 

Valentines Cards
Main Gallery - January
Director's Gallery - February

Priced at $3.50 each, these affordable Valentines gifts help fund arts education in Craven County, by donating all proceeds for the purchase of art supplies. The cards were created by the public school students during their arts class, and include a wide range of grades, skill levels, and techniques. This year’s sale was made possible by funding and support from Craven Arts Council and Twin Rivers Artists Association, a local artist guild. The mission of both organizations believes in the importance of arts education, for students of all levels.