Mattie King Davis Art Gallery

03/23/2026

Join us this Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery for an opening reception celebrating featured artist BF Reed. Everyone is invited to enjoy light snacks, refreshments, and beautiful artwork.

This reception marks the beginning of BF Reed’s exhibition as the Mattie King Davis Featured Artist, on display from March 27 through the end of May. Visit our website to learn more about the artist and the event.

03/19/2026

🎨 Artist Spotlight: Karen Crenshaw ⭐️

Karen Lee Crenshaw has been drawing since she used to scribble on the walls as a child. She earned a BS in Art Ed from Concord University and an MFA in Painting from George Washington University.

She has fallen in love with beautiful coastal North Carolina. Marshes, rivers, lakes, and the vessels that sail upon them capture her eye.

“A sense of place. That is the goal of my landscape paintings, for the viewer to “see” what I am seeing and to feel that is a place they have been or would like to visit. Plein air painting inspires me to capture the quality of the light that sets off that connection. Many of my paintings depict the pinkish-blue tones of early morning light or the amber tones of late afternoon. I love the contrasts of forms and oblique angles and shapes that occur when the sun is low on the horizon. My challenge is to capture that moment in time, working quickly and keeping a dynamic abstract pattern with energetic brush strokes.”

In addition to landscapes, Karen accepts portrait commissions, specializing in portraits of women and children. Her work is traditional and lifelike, yet it maintains a painterly quality. She enjoys providing clients with an heirloom that will last for many generations. “I especially love working with children and capturing that innocence that seems to pass so quickly,” the artist says.

Karen’s landscapes were selected for reproduction in a recent book, “Painting North Carolina, A Visual Journey,” by Kimberly Maselli. Her work joins those of 32 regionally and nationally known landscape painters.

www.karenleecrenshaw.com

03/19/2026

03/13/2026

03/02/2026

Join us on Saturday, March 14th for an artist talk and live demonstration with Annie Kinney Villa, our February & March Featured Artist! 🎨

Hear Annie share her painting process and artistic perspective during this special event at the Beaufort Historic Site Welcome Center (130 Turner Street) from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Enjoy complimentary coffee, refreshments, and light bites while you learn!

This event is FREE, but seating is limited! To RSVP please call 252-728-5225 to reserve your seat today.

02/16/2026

10/03/2025

Jill Hunt just dropped off three new stunning pieces at the gallery! Be sure to stop by soon to see the new work!

Website: JillHuntEclecticArt.com
Instagram & Facebook

The Travelers, OBX
Jill Hunt
Oil on 24”x18”x1.5” canvas, framed
$800

Sunset From the Dunes
Jill Hunt
Oil on 30”x24”x1.5” canvas, framed
$1000

Rise Up
Jill Hunt
Oil on 12”x12”x1.5” canvas
$250

09/11/2025

Robert and Gosia have just delivered several stunning new pieces to the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery. Their latest work is now on display, stop by and experience these beautiful additions in person!

09/03/2025

🎨 This week’s Artist Spotlight features Meg Forward, a longtime artist in the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery and a valued member of our art committee. ⭐️

A native of San Diego, California, Meg discovered her love for art at an early age. Her mother, a copper-enamel jewelry maker, enrolled her in her first art class at age six, where she learned to sketch live animals at the San Diego Zoo.

After marrying a marine biologist, Meg settled in Beaufort, North Carolina, in 1971. She worked for many years as a graphic artist and scientific illustrator, preparing drawings for publication for researchers at the Duke University Marine Laboratory.

Meg volunteered at the Fishtown Art Gallery, which later became the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery at the Beaufort Historic Site. After leaving the academic world, she devoted her creative energy to bird photography, acrylic painting, and her whimsical “Peeple” designs on wooden jewelry, boxes, gourds, and figurines.

Stop by the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery to see some of Meg’s wonderful work! 💙

08/27/2025

🎨 Artist Spotlight: Bunny Matthews 🎨

Art has always been a big part of Bunny Matthews’ life. In her youth, she doodled more than she studied. Growing up in Raleigh, NC, and spending summers on the Outer Banks inspired her love of coastal subjects.

After studying art at Rollins College, Bunny put painting on hold for the working world. While raising two boys, she poured her creativity into teaching and commissioned works of children, pets, homes, and boats.

Still living in North Carolina, Bunny’s love of nature eventually led her to plein air painting. The charm of barns, farm animals, and the sights and sounds of the outdoors continue to spark her inspiration. Today, her work flourishes as she also hosts workshops for fellow artists.

✨ Stop by to see some of Bunny’s beautiful work this week at the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery!