Mark Saturday, January 29 on the calendar for the opening reception for the 44th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show at the Dare County Arts Council Gallery in Manteo. The show will run through February 26.
The Frank Stick Show is the longest-running art show on the Outer Banks. Because it is not a juried show, the art on display ranges from experienced and well-known local artists to younger and first-time visual artists who may never have displayed anything in the past.
A tribute to artist and environmentalist Frank Stick, the show highlights the remarkable diversity of the Outer Banks' artistic vision.
Frank Stick was arguably the best-known illustrator of outdoor hunting and camping scenes for magazines from about 1910 to 1930. He tired of producing picture after picture for publication and moved to the Outer Banks in the late 1920s.
Throughout his life, he was an ardent environmentalist and it was largely through his efforts that Cape Hatteras National Seashore was created. He fought tirelessly for the concept, beginning in 1933 until it opened in 1953.
Although he gave up his lucrative illustration business, Stick continued to create remarkable art throughout his life. An avid sports fisherman, he published some books on the subject illustrated with his extraordinary eye for detail and authenticity.
His son, the author, David Stick, helped sponsor the show for years until his death in 2009.
This year’s show will be judged by local artist James Melvin, widely considered one fo the finest if the best Outer Banks artist. Although his individual pieces are considered collectible, Melvin is best known as the illustrator for the Suzanne Tate Nature Series books for children.
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