The Outer Banks Art Scene–Frank Stick Memorial Art Show

Off-season Outer Banks events

The off-season on the Outer Banks is not such a secret anymore. The local’s favorite time of year has also grown in popularity with visitors as well.

As locals, one of the nicest parts of living and working on the Outer Banks is the chance to reconnect with friends, neighbors and the community during this time of year.  It’s  an opportunity to take a deep breath, enjoy time with friends and recharge our batteries.

Of the many off-season events that take place on the OBX,the Frank Stick Memorial Art Show. The show is 35 years old and has become a remarkable piece of the Outer Banks social fabric. The hosts for the show for the entire 35 years have been Glenn and Pat Eure, owners of Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head. Glenn and Pat are their own unique story–their generosity to the Outer Banks community and the arts community in particular has been the stuff of legends.

Frank Stick was an early 20th century illustrator for outdoor magazines, considered one of the finest to ever work in that genre. He fell in love with the Outer Banks and started a second career in real estate development–the look and feel of Southern Shores, NC is largely a result of his vision. Although active in local OBX real estate, he never lost his love for visual arts and the first show was an outgrowth of that.  After Frank’s passing, his son, author David Stick, continued to work with the Dare County Arts Council and the Eures , to keep the tradition going. David passed away in 2009, but if ever there was a tribute to the generosity of a family, the Frank Stick Memorial Art Show is it.

The art itself is remarkable, representing an extraordinary range of media, styles and vision. The show takes place at the Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery. The opening reception and awards ceremony for the 35th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show was held January 26th, from 6pm–8pm and featured whimsical pieces, sculpture, modern art and portraiture.
Art is a very subjective medium, and to point to personal favorites means just that–they are personal favorites.  Marcia Cline’s “Looking North , New Inlet” and Meg Rubino’s “Waiting for Skimmage” were just wonderful.  If the intent of art is to evoke a reaction, “What of the Air We Leave Our Heirs” by Chrissy Teachout was very successful, if disquieting.

The best in show piece,”Visitant”, by Darla Sandburg,  is a deceptively simple gathering of the flotsam of the ocean that takes on added dimensions with the knowledge that everything in the work was found in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Things do slow down on the Outer Banks in the winter, but there are still reasons to visit–and the Frank Stick Memorial Art Show is certainly one of them.