Thousands of children and adults gathered at Dowdy Park in Nags Head on Saturday, May 11, 2024 for a fun-filled day at the 35th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival presented by PNC Bank.

The family-friendly event included more than 20 interactive free art activities for children; live music, theatre and dance performances; roving artists from The Lost Colony and Imagine Circus; and an artisan market and food vendors.

In between a stellar production by Atlantic Dance and a live performance by students from the Mustang Music Outreach Program, Dare Arts executive director Jessica Sands took the stage and announced the 2024 Artrageous Youth Scholarship recipient.

“Being able to announce our scholarship recipient at Artrageous brings our event full circle,” said Sands. “We have preschool aged children discovering new art at the same time as we are recognizing a Dare County high school senior who is ready to take their love of the arts to college and beyond. Our scholarship committee was very impressed with Jack’s commitment and passion for music. We can’t wait to see what he does in the future!”

The 2024 Artrageous Youth Scholarship award recipient is Jack DeLucia, a senior from First Flight High School.

At Artrageous, DeLucia credited his piano teacher, Debbie Calvino from Calvino Studio, for her years of supporting his interest in the arts.

“I would like to thank Debbie Calvino as she made it completely possible for me to be here today,” said DeLucia. “She stuck with me for 14 long years.”

DeLucia will be attending College of The Albemarle for two years and then plans to go on to University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to either major or minor in music.

“I have had the joy of being involved in the jazz band program at First Flight High School,” said DeLucia. “Jazz has opened my eyes and ears to a whole new incredible genre of music that I love. I have had so many wonderful experiences with music from performing with friends to traveling to Italy with Calvino Studio. There’s been so many experiences involving the arts or music that it has become much more than a hobby. Music and the arts have become a lifestyle for me. I want to continue this in college because it’s my passion.”

Dare Arts expressed thanks to The Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series and Hotel Manteo for sponsoring Artrageous.

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the event, go to DareArts.org/artrageous or call 252-473-5558.

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