Wilmington's only art bar, bottega art & wine uniquely appeals to everyone from the fine wine connoisseur and art lover to a live music and beer aficionado. The gallery exhibits local, regional and international artwork, including oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media and printmaking. You'll find only original art here — no prints. And while you browse their collection of art and jewelry, you can sip a glass of wine or a beer. They offer everything from the starving artist's $4 glass to the high-end $85 bottle, and they offer certified organic products whenever possible. Enjoy your libation of choice with an item from their cafe menu, and plan to stay for the live entertainment. They host a variety of live music Wednesday to Saturday, as well as literary and film events.

This multi-dimensional gallery houses an eclectic collection of limited-edition pieces, fine-art posters and originals from a wide range of local, regional, national and international artists. These artists include Timberlake, Mangum, Landry, Wyeth, Kunstler and many more. Among the many and varied subjects are florals, wildlife, seascapes and the Civil War. Professional custom framing is also available. Housed within the gallery, Wrigley's Clocks offers a selection of timepieces such as wall, mantel and floor (or grandfather) clocks. Wrigley's services what it sells with authorized factory repairs as well as all other makes of clocks. They even make house calls.

A resident of The Cotton Exchange for 30 years, The Golden Gallery is truly a family affair. Artist Mary Ellen Golden's original watercolors and prints depicting Wilmington landmarks and southeastern North Carolina scenery are well-known and sought after among visitors and residents alike. A watercolorist since 1975, Mary Ellen shares her techniques and tips in a video, Watercolor Can Be Easy, created by Mary Ellen and Wilmington artist Eloise Bethell. It's available for sale in the gallery.

Husband John Golden, songwriter and storyteller, is noted for his songs about coastal Carolina's legends, folklore, characters and events. CDs of these ballads and sea songs, including the Civil War–era "The Fall of Fort Fisher" and "Colonial Songs and Scottish Ballads" featuring "The Battle at Moore's Creek", are available at the gallery. His most recent CD is "Hatteras Memories," featuring original songs of lighthouses, coastal life-saving stations and the brave people who ran them.

Fine-art photography and illustrations of local landmarks are son John W. Golden's specialty, and many of his black-and-white and color prints are on display. In fact, The Golden Gallery is home to Wilmington's largest collection of local landmark photography. You can browse for hours.

A downtown Wilmington arts destination since 1985, this award-winning gallery features a wide range of contemporary and traditional works in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media. Decorative and functional pieces in glass, ceramics, fiber and wood are also featured, as well as handcrafted jewelry. A sampling of the artists at New Elements Gallery include Claude Howell, Dorothy Gillespie, Bruce Bowman, Robert Irwin, Kyle Highsmith, Nancy Tuttle May, Sally Bowen Prange and Dina Wilde-Ramsing.

Formerly located at Chandler's Wharf, the Wilmington Gallery at New Castle houses an eclectic collection of works by local artists at its new space in the New Castle Antiques District. Operated by the Wilmington Art Association, the gallery represents more than 50 members and features paintings, pottery, fabric art and jewelry. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Art aficionados have a local gem in Jenny McKinnon Wright's studio, where they can find a sampling of the plein air oil painter's work. The award-winning artist's work can be found in Europe and throughout the United States. Wright studied art at East Carolina University and Georgia State University, and she has taught in the school system as well as privately. Wright's paintings of beaches, marshes and other historic structures capture the vibrant milieu of the southeastern coast. You will recognize our coastal area in her gorgeous natural landscapes, which make a must-have addition to any art collector's library.

If you love the artwork of Thomas Kinkade, the "painter of light," Serenity Place Gallery is a must see. This small but elegant gallery is filled with Kinkade's breath-taking prints and limited-edition pieces. Gift items featuring the artist's distinctive style include beautiful coffee-table books, stationery, collector's plates, calendars, music boxes and more. Serenity Place is also an authorized Bradford dealer.

Located in the Racine Center for the Arts, this gallery is a large yet comfortable place for art enthusiasts of all ages. The Gallery at Racine exhibits one-of-a-kind artwork by local and nationally renowned artists with an eclectic collection of artwork in a variety of styles and price ranges, including sculpture, oils, watercolor, acrylics, pottery, raku, print making, fine glass, jewelry and more. Special shows are highlights at the gallery, and exhibits change every six to eight weeks. The Gallery features the work of 15-year-old child prodigy, George Pocheptsov; the unique driftwood and copper sculptures of local artist Shaw Lakey; the limited-edition reproductions of Dr. Seuss; and many more. The Gallery at Racine is an uplifting venue where questions are cheerfully answered and everyone is welcome.

Exhibiting fine original oil paintings by nationally known artists, Walls Fine Art Gallery is a 3,000-square-foot haven for art lovers. Owners David Leadman and Nancy Marshall, painters themselves, use their more than 60 years of experience, national renown and extensive connections in the art world to help clients make the best selections. They'll even bring art to your home. Walls offers the finest hand-carved and gilded frames suitable for artwork from contemporary abstract to twelfth-century icon. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

The only fine art gallery and framing location in the Monkey Junction area, Artworks Gallery displays original fine art in a wide variety of media (oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, photography, ceramics, pottery and glass ). Artworks Fine Art Gallery has something to suit every art lover. Artists represented are locally, regionally, nationally and internationally renowned. Owner Gloria Ezzell, a designer with 30 years of experience, can assist you with every decorating need. She and her staff can help you choose the perfect work of art, and with their professional, onsite framing services, they can guide you in your framing choices. The end result will be a comfortable and gorgeous home that is truly a work of art. Come "expose yourself to fine art"!

Fountainside Gallery is one of Wilmington’s leading destinations for fine art. Representing local, regional and national artists, Fountainside has a selection of art that will appeal to the serious collector as well as the casual art lover. The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions and educational demonstrations, inviting artists from across the nation to capture the beauty of the Cape Fear Coast. As well as placing art with residential customers, they work with corporate clients and design professionals. Come and enjoy the paintings, sculpture, glass and woodwork in Fountainside’s intimate, relaxed environment. You’ll find Fountainside Fine Art Gallery on Eastwood Road before the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge in Lumina Station.

Spectrum Art & Jewelry offers an irresistible collection of dazzling jewelry, colorful contemporary art, and select American craft and glass. Spectrum represents over 100 local regional and national artists working in all media. Spectrum also offers complete fine jewelry repair and custom jewelry design featuring award-winning designer Star Sosa and master goldsmith Michael Chapman. View the latest collection at Spectrum’s monthly Open House and Wine Tasting on the second Friday of each month.

This surprising and eclectic gallery houses art, artifacts, furniture and more in a former warehouse close to downtown Wilmington, just off the MLK Parkway. Una Luna’s 1,000-square-foot art gallery features African art and artifacts, folk art, jewelry and the Ivey Hayes Collection, as well as art and photography by local and national artists. Their 5,000-square-foot furniture showroom includes unusual items such as British Campaign furniture made of African Teakwood, Brazilian Country furniture made of Peroba Rosa, and Riverwood Casual outdoor furniture made of Carolina Cypress. Their unique line of lamps includes Moroccan table and hanging lamps, salt rock lamps, mud cloth and Kuba textile lampshades and the classic fan line, including table and floor models with styles that pre-date air conditioning. Don’t miss their Full Moon Friday celebrations with wine and live music.

For more than 30 years, Peter Doran has pursued his passion for photography, both academically and artistically. With a master's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an undergraduate degree in graphic design from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Peter has traveled extensively, photographing wonders of the world, both great and small. Bringing his eye and talent to the Cape Fear Coast, he now focuses exclusively on the wonders of our area. It is his photography that graced the cover of the 13th edition of The Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Southern Coast and Wilmington, and his work also regularly appears in Our State magazine. Peter specializes in matted and framed prints and is the only local company offering high-quality, frame-able postcards of the area, 250 different scenes in all, as well as 12 x 18 inch mini-posters. His collection of Coastal Carolina playing cards, featuring 54 area scenes, makes a unique keepsake and a great gift. His work is available for viewing and purchase in many of the fine galleries in the area.

The ArtShak has moved to a new location — and what a shack! Thom Seaman, sculptor, and Linda Platt, artist, began their adventure in Southport in 1997 in a small wooden building with no heat, determined to live their dream of making a living doing what they love. After upsizing twice they have finally built a space worthy of their work. The front section of the U-shaped building encompasses the gallery. The ceiling soars to 20 feet with 14 windows lining the top, allowing ambient light to enter. Here you will find original oil paintings, acrylics and prints as well as painted glasses and windows from Linda's creative hands. Thom's striking metal sculptures also inhabit this area. These sculptures, ranging from table-top works to outside pieces up to 13 feet in height, are primarily made from aluminum and copper with a wide range of patinas to suit just about anyone's taste. The gallery is home to more than 30 other local artists whose works include pottery, fabric art, silver and pearl jewelry and hand-made beads, oil, acrylic and water color paintings, photography, fused and blown glass and wood-turned art. You will find crystalline pottery from Seagrove as well. The wings of the U are private areas including studios. A sculpture garden is in the center. Developed around three venerable live oaks, which were lovingly left standing by the planning and construction of the building, the garden includes a pond with a charming Japanese bridge and an arbor to complement the koi and goldfish. You can see why Thom says they have created an environment, not a business. In addition to the art in the gallery, Thom and Linda accept commissions for custom designs, including murals. Thom says, "If we design it together, you will love it forever."

D. and Kendall Crews and their sons Danny and Robbie all contribute their own expertise to this family business. They use no solder in the fabrication of their unique designs for lawn and garden, pond and patio, and interior decor pieces. Instead they weld with copper rods for strength and durability. Verdigris finishes are achieved with the use of acid etching, which does not wear off. All pieces are hand-cut, hammered and joined, resulting in the individuality of each. The molten edges, warm, aged look and rich, vibrant colors are the signature of the molecular reactions that take place during their proprietary “water-fired” process, and each piece carries their Water-Fired Copper™ trademark. There is a beautiful variety of work to choose from, much of it inspired by the nautical ambiance of the area in which the artists live and work. But if you have your heart set on your own design, they will create custom pieces as well.

Since 1979 Franklin Square Gallery has been operated by the nonprofit Associated Artists of Southport. It is housed in an impressive century-old historic building in the heart of Southport directly behind Franklin Square Park. The association is responsible for maintaining and operating the gallery and a pottery studio located on the grounds behind it. The City of Southport provides the buildings and maintains the exteriors. The expectation was that the artists would create and maintain an important cultural center and, indeed, they have. In addition to the workshops, classes and competitions provided by the association, the gallery features paintings and pottery of its members, the annual exhibit of the Oak Island Quilters challenge squares, the annual Brunswick County Photography Contest sponsored by the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department, and artwork of the students of the Brunswick County Public School System. All paintings and pottery in the gallery are available for sale to the public.

The Ricky Evans Gallery features his lighthouse paintings in addition to a series of paintings of historic Southport landmarks and a coastal waterfront series. Don't miss the Lighthouse Room, which features all the lighthouses of the lower Cape Fear and includes note cards with views of the Oak Island Lighthouse done by local artists. Proceeds from these and other items are donated to the Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse for use in preserving this historic landmark. Original paintings, watercolors and limited-edition posters are available as well. In other rooms of the quaint old house that houses the gallery, you will find paintings, stained glass, metal sculptures and more, all the work of local artists, on display and for sale. Custom picture framing is available, and the gallery is open year round.

The Blue Heron is an elegant gallery that features breathtaking artwork from a variety of American artists, including talented local artists. The owner chooses wisely, so be prepared to browse at length through an impressive collection of fine blown glass, pottery, sculpture, hand-crafted jewelry and other visual art in a variety of media. Whether your taste is for the whimsical, traditional, modern, functional or avant garde, you can indulge it at The Blue Heron Gallery.

"A gallery of art and unique creations" is the way Ginny and Joe Lassiter refer to this, their retirement enterprise, which opened in 2002. And such it is. You can feel the positive energy radiating throughout the gallery as you move from display to display enchanted by what you see. You will find paintings, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, beautiful functional items and items whose function it is to be beautiful, all meticulously crafted and thoughtfully displayed by talented local artists from the Carolinas. In addition, the marketplace provides classes and workshops in a variety of genres, including painting in various media and styles, basket making, pottery and photography. Framing is done on the premises as well.

This artisan shop carries absolutely gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry. Creative pieces are crafted from sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold and platinum. All of their jewelry is hand-crafted by local and regional artists. Mystic Treasures also offers custom design and repairs. They are open seven days a week during the summer. During the winter months they are closed Mondays.

Sandy McHugh is the artist in residence at this homey little gallery. Sandy's artwork reflects her love of the beach and many of her watercolors depict local beach scenes. Stop in and visit with Sandy during the summer months only.

Topsail Art Gallery highlights American artists, and they have a wide variety of originals and reproductions from local, regional and nationally known artists. The gallery offers unique gift items, blown glass, ceramics and great hand-crafted metal sculptures, fountains and birdbaths. An on-site frame shop can custom-frame any selection. The gallery is open year round. Owners Mike and Judy Hendy pride themselves on their ability to fill customers' special requests.