Wilson Arts will kick off the new year with the Wilson Active Artists group exhibition “Colorful Textures!” 

The opening reception is 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, at Wilson Arts Center. The show runs to Feb. 17. The event is free and open to the public.

The Wilson Active Artists Association is one of Wilson’s longest-running nonprofit art organizations. The group was founded by eight Wilsonians in 1965 with a mission to help promote an interest in art in Wilson. Soon after, the group began arranging exhibitions, giving Wilson artists opportunities to showcase their art outside the traditional art gallery norm. This helped pave the way for more art education and an increase in art awareness in the community.

The group meets monthly under the guidance of current president Susan Webb. Webb has been a long-time member of the Wilson Active Artists Association and has served as its newsletter editor and vice president. She also served two terms as president of the association in the past. She served on the board of directors of the Arts Council of Wilson (now Wilson Arts) and its visual arts committee. 

Twenty-four artists will be showing their works in this exhibit in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and fiber art.

Participating artists include Aida Abernathy, Pegi Barnes Sharp, Monica Briggs, Clara Daughtridge, Ashley Fabrizio, Elisabeth Farnsworth Grant, Martha Ford, Jane Gardner, Jane Gravely, Ben Gufford, Kim Hennes, Alison Hesmer, Andrea Horton-Morton, Carola Jones, Oona Lewis, Dwight Mitchell, Nancy Ping-Robbins, Liz Rivera, John Rood, Jerry Taylor, Kim Valentine, Susan Webb, Chris Woodard and Carolyn Zolas.

The Wilson Arts Center galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. Those who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask for the protection of the community. The new Wilson Arts Center is located at 204 Nash St. S.