The Arts Council of Wayne County is proud to announce its partnership with Wayne County Public Schools in hosting renowned artist Maya Freelon.

WCPS was the recipient of the cARTwheels grant from the North Carolina Arts Council.

Freelon, celebrated for her prismatic tissue paper art installations, spent a day at Dillard Middle School leading a
collaborative workshop for students and WCPS Visual Arts Teachers. Together, they created a stunning tissue paper art installation, highlighting the power of unity and creativity.

Later that afternoon, Freelon conducted a professional learning community (PLC) session at the Arts Council of Wayne County, guiding WCPS Visual Arts Teachers in creating their own examples of tissue art to share with their students.

A piece of the installation created by Dillard Middle School students is on display at the Arts Council of Wayne County, beautifully installed above the historic bank vault, serving as a testament to the power of collaborative art.

This can be viewed until Apr. 26th.

Freelon’s work celebrates accessible and recycled materials, blending creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity.

Her workshops provide a transformative experience, bringing participants together to build something greater than themselves.

Key contributors to this initiative include Christy White (WCPS Title IV Facilitator), Lynette Wilson (Principal of Dillard Middle School), Anna Hinson (Executive Director of the Arts Council of Wayne County), Lewis Braswell (Gallery Coordinator of the Arts Council of Wayne County), the students of Dillard Middle School, all WCPS Visual Arts Teachers, and, of course, Freelon.