North Carolina Azalea Festival unveils official artwork for 2026

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The 2026 Azalea Festival is already just a few months away, and the official artwork was unveiled on Tuesday night.

Created by Wilmington native Elizabeth Sheats, the artwork is called Where the Oaks Meet.

This is not the first time Sheats has been involved with the festival.

During high school, she was a festival belle.

Festival president Michael Franklin has known Sheets for many years and was excited to choose her as this year’s artist.

Sheats explained what she hopes people feel when looking at her artwork.

“I really wanted to paint a scene that resembled Wilmington’s streetscapes, especially the one on Country Club Road,” Sheats said. “And I wanted to make it seem that the oaks were talking to each other, that they were really mingling and getting together. There’s a lot of light at the end of the tunnel. I really did that on purpose, hoping that this painting would give people a sense of peace and hope.”

The Azalea Festival will be held on April 8th through the 12th.