SPLASH Week at AOA
North Carolina’s annual artist retreat week in Elizabeth City, NC
SAVE THE DATE!
Monday, September 28 - Saturday, October 3, 2026
Date: Monday, September 28th-Saturday, October 3rd
Time: Studio spaces will be available to you each day 9 AM-6 PM
Location: 115 N Poindexter St. (Madrin Studio) and 516 E. Main St. (AOA Gallery Studio & Twiford Room)
We can’t wait to have you back at AOA, filling our space with joy, creativity, and color!
This fee includes a place to create each day, a lanyard to gain access to Splash events, and all studio amenities between Monday—Saturday, daily from 9 AM-6 PM. This also gives registered artists permission to sell work directly from their table with no fees or commission required from AOA. Options are as follows:
- Reserve your spot in the AOA Madrin Studio* on N. Poindexter St: $150 per person (Capacity 25)
- Reserve your spot in the AOA Gallery Studio* on Main St: $150 per person (Capacity 20)
- Reserve your spot in the AOA Twiford Room* on Main St 3rd floor: $150 per person (Capacity 10)
*Splash is growing! In addition to our typical Splash Studio space in the AOA Madrin Studio (115 N Poindexter St), we will be adding more studio spaces in the AOA Gallery and Twiford room! Participants are welcome to request a spot in either the Madrin Studio, Gallery Studio, or Twiford room, however, studio spaces are first come, first served. If your first choice of studio space is full when we receive your registration, you will be notified and given the option to move to the remaining available space.
This year AOA will host a pop-up shop for splash artists only in our Water St Studio. Splashers are encouraged to bring works to sell. The pop-up shop will be manned by volunteers daily and will facilitate sales on your behalf. AOA will take a 20% commission from these sales. *Please note artists may still make their own sales off of their splash table all week with no commission taken.
Please note, the cost of registration allows one individual a workspace for the week and entry to Splash events. Additional artists sharing tables, or those attending programming as a plus one will be asked to pay separate registration fees.
With your Splash PASS, you’ll gain free access to any social events, lunchtime fitness meet-ups, and art talks or demonstrations included in the Splash Week calendar. Some entry-level workshops in various mediums will also be offered at an additional charge. After we receive your registration, we’ll be reaching out via email soon with a full schedule of events! In the following pages, you’ll also have the chance to let us know if you’d like to participate in the Splash Art Walk and more!
Those who wish to download a PDF copy of the registration form and pay by check may do so. Please make checks payable and mail to:
Arts of the Albemarle
516 N Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC
27909
Artists in need of financial assistance should download the paper Artist Registration packet to apply.
Splash is an annual week-long arts event held in Elizabeth City, hosted by Arts of the Albemarle (AOA) in the city’s downtown neighborhood—happening in 2026 between Monday, September 28-Saturday, October 3, 2026. While Splash originated as a gathering of artists, today it has evolved into a week of community creativity and fun with a mission and programming that is twofold: first, engaging local and visiting artists with learning opportunities and an inspiring environment to create and collaborate; and second, creating a symbiotic ecosystem between artist and community, where artists’ work are supported and community members are exposed to new experiences and ideas.
Splash Week 2026 will take place from September 28-October 3!
Find more details about studio spaces and what’s included in your SPLASH PASS below.
SPLASH Studio Spaces
The Madrin Studio
The original SPLASH Studio, the Madrin Studio is the perfect environment for artists who love to work in an upbeat, social environment. The space has room for 25 artists and offers warm natural light from full windows, with views of downtown.
115 N. Poindexter Street - AOA Annex Studio 
The Gallery Studio
The Gallery Studio invites you to create amid the inspiration of our current exhibitions and the building’s many visitors and happenings. The space is brightly illuminated with gallery lighting and has accommodations for 15 artists
516 E. Main Street - AOA Main Building 1st Floor 
516 E. Main Street - AOA Main Building 3rd Floor The Twiford Room
The Twiford Room is nestled in the uppermost corner of the AOA building, offering a peaceful creative space for up to 10 artists. The room features high ceilings and natural light flooding in from the picturesque streets below.
SPLASH WEEK
Pop Up Shop
NEW! This year we’re introducing a pop-up shop for SPLASH artists only, in the Water Street Studio. Splashers are encouraged to bring works to sell, while the shop will be manned daily by volunteers, who will facilitate sales on your behalf. AOA will take a 20% commission* from these sales.
*Please note artists may still make their own sales off of their splash table all week with no commission taken.
Register for your “SPLASH PASS”
We can’t wait to have you back at AOA, filling our space with joy, creativity, and color! This page has all you need to know to register for your SPLASH PASS. Feel free to sign up by filling out the packet and mailing it to us, or by completing the registration here online. We will be adding more events to our schedule as they are confirmed, so be on the lookout for additional happenings!
To participate, you’ll need to reserve your SPLASH PASS for the week! This fee includes a place to create each day, a lanyard to gain access to Splash events, and all studio amenities between Monday September 28—Saturday October 3, daily from 9 AM-6 PM. This also gives registered artists permission to sell work directly from their table with no fees or commission required from AOA.
Location
Splash is growing! In addition to our typical Splash Studio space in the AOA Madrin Studio (115 N Poindexter St), we will be adding more studio spaces in the AOA Gallery and Twiford room (516 E. Main St)! Participants are welcome to request a spot in either the Madrin Studio, Gallery Studio, or Twiford room, however, studio spaces are first come, first served. If your first choice of studio space is full when we receive your registration, you will be notified and given the option to move to the remaining available space.
What’s Included in My SPLASH PASS?
The cost of registration allows one individual a workspace for the week and entry to Splash events. Additional artists sharing tables, or those attending programming as a plus one will be asked to pay separate registration fees. Those interested in financial assistance may enter their information on the last page of the downloadable registration packet to be considered or email visualarts@artsaoa.com.
With your SPLASH PASS, you’ll gain free access to any social events, lunchtime fitness meet-ups, and art talks or demonstrations included in the Splash Week calendar. Some entry-level workshops in various mediums will also be offered at an additional charge. After we receive your registration, we’ll be reaching out via email soon with a full schedule of events!
Splashers are also invited and encouraged to bring works to sell at the brand-new Splash Pop-Up Shop in the Water Street Studio. The pop-up shop will be manned by volunteers daily and will facilitate sales on your behalf. AOA will take a 20% commission* from these sales. *Please note artists may still make their own sales off of their splash table all week with no commission taken.
Plan Your Visit
to Elizabeth City
AOA is conveniently located in Elizabeth City’s Downtown district, just down the street from the waterfront and steps away from all kinds of restaurants, cafes, B&Bs, and businesses.
Check out some of these resources to make the best of your stay during SPLASH Week!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Each year, we offer a range of included programming like social events, artist talks, demonstrations, lunchtime movement, and the chance to sell your work during the Art Walk.
Additional specialized workshops may be available for an extra charge.
The full schedule is coming soon. -
Visitors are always welcome in AOA and at the Splash Studios during open hours!
Friends and artists hoping to stay and create or attend programming will be asked to purchase a pass.
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The brand-new Splash Pop-Up Shop (at 115 N Water St) will be open all week for visitors to browse original artwork. The pop-up shop will be manned by volunteers daily and will facilitate sales on your behalf.
AOA will take a 20% commission* from all works sold in the pop-up.
All participating Splash artists are invited to sell their work in the shop, but it is not required.
*Please note that artists may still make their own sales off of their Splash table all week with no commission taken.
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All three of our Splash Studios are open for visitors all week long. Artists who wish to sell works may use their personal table space to display works for sale, and are in charge of their own pricing and payment methods.
It is not required for participating artists to sell work.
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Most traditional media are allowed in the Splash Studio, so long as supplies are contained within the artist’s workspace (tables are 6 feet long) and don’t provide disruptive noise or fumes.
Please reach out to Christyn at visualarts@artsaoa.com if you have questions.
Meet SPLASH Week Founder, Carolyn Peel
Hear from our long-time “Splashers”, Jane Filer, Linda Starr, and Bryce Lankard
