Cultural Programs

Join us for a powerful conversation as Abdul Shareef, a 1966 graduate of Williston High School, and Jim Moore, a 1962 graduate of New Hanover High School, come together to share personal memories of growing up in Wilmington and attending school during the era of state-mandated segregation. Their stories offer a meaningful glimpse into Wilmington’s history, resilience, and the enduring impact of community. Registration is NOT required.

Please join the City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation - in collaboration with DREAMS Center for Arts Education - for Teen Art Journals! Teens will be provided with mixed-media art journals and will be provided with prompts, discussion, and materials each week to create inside their journals. Discussion and art prompt topics will intentionally apply to teens, such as gratitude, handling stress, friendship, etc. Participants will be encouraged to continue creating in their journals on their own after the conclusion of the program. Register here.

Ages: 13 - 17  

Cost: FREE

Times: Thursdays, November 6 - December 11 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

There is a bounty of hidden gems to discover in Wilmington’s urban environment. Topics may include history, architecture, ecology, or culture, just to name a few. Join us for some fresh air and broaden your understanding of Wilmington with programs led by various local experts. Programs are free and are typically 1-2 miles long. Registration required (here). These programs are open to all ages unless otherwise specified.  

This open studio class invites adults to explore their creativity, connect with others, and enjoy the benefits of creating together in a supportive community.

Tuesday afternoons: August 12 - December 16 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. 

Families are invited to come together for a creative and fun-filled evening of art-making. Each month features a new theme and activities, providing a welcoming space to explore different art forms, spark imagination, and create lasting memories as a family. This program will operate from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All programs below are available to those ages 4+. Register here! 

Davis Center at Maides Park - 1101 Manly Ave (910-341-0056/910-341-7867)

MLK Community Center - 401 S. 8th Street (910-341-7866/910-341-0053)

November 12, 2025 at the MLK Community Center - Family Art Night | Fun and Vibrant Holiday Food Displays

• Delight your family this holiday season with festive food arrangements that anyone can make and enjoy. Chef McCoy, a U.S. Army Veteran, will guide us in crafting colorful, eye-catching displays. Children will participate using safe, kid-friendly tools. Take home and enjoy the "fruits" of our labor!

  ---

December 10, 2025 at the Davis Center (Maides Park) - Family Art Night | Watercolor Holiday Greeting Cards

• Get festive and creative with US Marine Corps Veteran Kristen Dorsey as we design bright, cheerful holiday greeting cards! You’ll pick up a skill you can enjoy — and share — all year long.

  ---