Cultural Programs

In addition to our parks, trails, and indoor/outdoor recreation facilities, the City of Wilmington's Parks and Recreation Department offers a myriad of cultural programs that highlight what makes Wilmington such a vibrant city. Parks, by the beginning of the 20th century, began to be utilized for dance, theatre, and even film. Today, there is an astounding influx of artistic and cultural activity in parks. From large-scale festivals to long-term residencies with arts organizations and partners, our cultural programs strive to revitalize the role parks play in our lives. Check out our program opportunities below and join us!     

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Summer Camps

Teen Camps

Wilmington Changemakers
Teen Volunteer Camp
Davis Center at Maides Park
Ages 13-17
July 20-24, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
FREE

Each morning, we will take a road trip from the Davis Center to volunteer at different nonprofits in the region. Help your community while building leadership skills, making connections, and earning up to 15 volunteer hours!

Open Studio Art Camp
Davis Center at Maides Park
Ages 13-17
July 20-24, 1:30 PM-5:00 PM
FREE

In this Open Studio-style art camp, participants can choose from a variety of activities led by DREAMS teaching artists Cammeron Batanides and Jameka Wrisbon Purdie.

  • Sidewalk Mural--Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 15 more volunteer hours by collaborating to design and paint an interactive outdoor sidewalk mural at Maides Park.
  • Mixed Media Art Journals--Artists can spend time exploring a variety of mediums in their own mixed-media art journals that they will take home on the last day of camp.
  • Wire and Gems--In this jewelry making intensive we investigate the fundamentals of working with wire. Skills learned will include making findings (clasps etc.), using mandrels, and wire wrapping. Using beads, stones, and other embellishments, our focus will be on how wire moves and responds to our manipulation of it and how to make it do what we want. Projects will include bookmarks, earrings, rings, and bracelets.

Cultural Programs Summer Camps

Art Explorers
Davis Center at Maides Park
June 29-July 2, 1:30-5:00 PM
Ages 7-12
FREE

DREAMS teaching artist Cammeron Batanides will lead students in exploring fun and imaginative ways of making art inspired by Surrealist artists. They’ll try activities like drawing whatever comes to mind, creating textures by layering and scratching materials, and turning dreams and ideas into unique artwork—no rules, just creativity!

DREAMS teaching artist Jameka Wrisbon Purdie will challenge students to make beautiful, artsy booklets from bags, wallpaper, washi tape, and all types of colorful paper. Participants will have the opportunity to construct, stitch, decorate, and embellish one mini and one full size journal to take home!


Inspired by Nature
Halyburton Park
August 10-14. 9 AM-12 PM
Ages 7-12
FREE

Join us exploring nature where we create artwork from natural materials found at Halyburton Park. We will use various materials to create images of bugs, birds, butterflies or bunnies! Young artists will explore textures of the earth through rubbings of leaves and pine needles. We will create tissue paper sun catchers of butterflies or bats and make fingerprint birds! We will use natural objects to make our own mobiles and bring some of the outside into your own home! Led by DREAMS teaching artists Jessica Stitt and Loraine Scalamoni.

Adult Programs

Creating in Community with Cammeron Batanides

This open studio class invites adults to explore their creativity, connect with others, and enjoy the benefits of making art in a welcoming, supportive community. Guidance is provided by artist Cammeron Batanides, and all materials are included. 

Tuesday afternoons from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. | January 6 - June 2, 2026 at 1101 Manly Ave. (Davis Center at Maides Park)

About the instructor: Cammeron Batanides is an internationally known fine artist and children’s book author/illustrator whose works have been featured across the United States, in Jamaica and throughout Canada, at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and at the legendary Los Angeles Fine Arts Building. She was the first live painter for The Wailers, on the USS North Carolina Battleship, and at Wilmington’s historic Thalian Hall’s inaugural reggae show. Cammeron has recently returned from Washington, D.C, where over 40 of her original works were exhibited adjacent to the Smithsonian at Pepco Edison Place Gallery. Cammeron’s originals were simultaneously displayed in Leland, North Carolina at Leland Cultural Arts Center.  


Cultural Footprints: A Walking Program

Walking tours around town focusing on different historical or cultural subjects are offered periodically. Learn about our beautiful city and enjoy the outdoors with us! Registration is required. 

City Murals

Cultural Programs staff regularly partner with local artists to create public murals. Community painting dates bring community members together to help create beautiful public works of art!


Painting dates will be displayed below when available.

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