ARTS & CULTURE
Wilmington, North Carolina

For the past 250 years, the Wilmington, NC area has had a passion for arts and culture. This proud tradition continues today with theater, dance, art and music befitting a city twice its size. There are also cultural organizations for patrons of every persuasion, from photographers and quilters to calligraphers and poets! Wilmington's dedication to the arts extends to a growing film industry, which has been a production site for many feature films, TV movies and mini-series since its start in 1983.

The Cape Fear Coast is also home to a wide variety of museums and historic sites … from fascinating Ft. Fisher at Kure Beach … to the nostalgic Wilmington Railroad Museum … to St. John's Museum of Art, featuring a large collection by 19th century artist, Mary Cassatt. Original works by contemporary local and national artists can be seen in nearly 20 area galleries, including a large artists' cooperative with working studios. Just a short drive from Wilmington you'll find some of the most spectacular gardens in the Southeast. Don't miss Orton Plantation Gardens, a former rice plantation and ante-bellum estate, with acres of azaleas, camellias, live oaks and magnolias. You'll also want to see Airlie Gardens, whose grounds overlook picturesque Money Island, where Captain Kidd reputedly buried his treasure. Wilmington, North Carolina navi-gator^® is your key to the area's many cultural attractions!

To find out what upcoming events are scheduled at Thalian Hall and other Wilmington area venues, visit our Wilmington Calendar of Events.