Kick-starting Creativity at Artrageous

Outer Banks community members, mark your calendars, as the 35th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival is set to encourage creativity among youngsters. The festival will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Dowdy Park in Nags Head.

The theme of Artrageous this year is Creativity stARTs Here, underscoring the significant role the festival plays in igniting the spark of creativity in children. Interestingly, many children have had their first encantor with art at Artrageous, catalyzing a lifelong love for creative expression.

Three and a Half Decades of Art Madness

Dare Arts Second Vice President, Ginny Flowers, recalls her association with Artrageous since its inception. She said, “Every Artrageous is an opportunity to introduce children to the joy and freedom of creating art. It’s so wonderful to see the generational effect, with young artists from decades ago still participating in the event and sharing their creativity with their children.” She also stressed on the cultural significance of this festival for the community.

What’s in Store this Year?

As always, the annual Artrageous Art Festival is a family-friendly event packed with a multitude of activities. The event will host interactive art sessions, live music, vocal and dance performances by students, an artisan market, and exciting food vendors. Kid art activity organizers and artisans interested in displaying their work at the festival can apply online at DareArts.org/artrageous. The application deadline is Friday, March 15.

You’ll also find The Young Artist Village at the festival—a dedicated space for budding artists under 17 years of age—showcasing and selling their handmade goods.

Involvement of Young Artists

Young artist siblings Cora and Lucy Francy, enthused about the event and partaking in this year’s Young Artist Village, shared, “We like going to Artrageous to see friends, make crafts and see what other artists are selling. Seeing what people make and how creative they are is cool! We are excited to sell our handmade jewelry, keychains, and pens at Artrageous this year.”

Kickstart Your Taste Buds

Food lovers will take pleasure in the array of food vendors present at the festival, such as Fork ‘et Me Not, Island Snowball, Blurred Lines Bakery, and The Lopez Lemonade Stand, providing a mix of snacks, refreshments, and delectable sweets.

Making a Difference with Artrageous

The Artrageous Kids Art Festival is not just an event; it’s a platform that changes lives. Through its longest-running Artrageous Youth Scholarship Fund, one deserving Dare County high school senior aspiring to study fine arts or the performing arts in college is awarded a scholarship each year.

The essence of this festival extends beyond the day of the event. It’s a nurturing space for aspiring artists and a medium for community involvement in enriching art’s culture in Dare County. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and the Don & Catharine Bryan Cultural Series sponsor the event.

For more updates and information about the event, visit DareArts.org/artrageous or call (252) 473-5558. Dare Arts is a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization committed to fostering the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment, and opportunity.