CAM to launch three summer exhibitions during special opening night celebration

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cameron Art Museum will kick off its summer exhibition season with a special opening night celebration on Thursday, June 18, featuring the debut of three major exhibitions that explore contemporary art, cultural heritage, and interactive experiences.

The event, scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m., will introduce visitors to Fresh Air: Inflatable Sculptures, Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds, and Rooted in Memory: The Gullah Geechee Vision of Jonathan Green. Museum officials say the exhibitions offer distinct yet complementary experiences centered on imagination, identity, and artistic innovation.

The evening will begin with a vinyl-only DJ set by Fort Lowell Records and will include exhibition-inspired ice cream from Boombalatti’s Sprinkles VW Bus, a cocktail tasting hosted by End of Days Distillery, and a special menu from CAM Café. Guests will have the opportunity to explore all three exhibitions while celebrating the start of the museum’s summer season.

Admission to the event is free for CAM members, while tickets for non-members are $20. Students and educators will be admitted free of charge.

Among the featured exhibitions is Fresh Air: Inflatable Sculptures, on view June 19 through Sept. 6. The exhibition explores inflatable sculpture as a medium, showcasing works that blend soft materials, large-scale forms, and interactive elements. Included in the exhibition is contemporary artist Nick Cave’s installation Augment, which transforms gallery space into an immersive environment designed to inspire reflection and collective joy.

Also opening June 19 is Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds, which runs through Sept. 27. Originally created in 1966, the installation transforms CAM’s Studio One Gallery into an interactive environment filled with approximately 80 floating silver balloons. Widely regarded as one of Warhol’s most iconic works, the exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with the artwork while exploring themes of mass production, repetition, and popular culture.

The third exhibition, Rooted in Memory: The Gullah Geechee Vision of Jonathan Green, will remain on display through Jan. 24, 2027. Featuring vibrant paintings by acclaimed artist Jonathan Green, the exhibition celebrates the traditions, history, and resilience of Gullah Geechee culture. Green’s works will be presented alongside traditional crafts, including sweetgrass baskets, quilts, and Adinkra-printed cloth, creating a dialogue between fine art and cultural heritage.

Together, the three exhibitions reflect Cameron Art Museum’s ongoing mission to connect Eastern North Carolina audiences with significant artistic and cultural conversations from across the region and beyond.

Tickets and additional information are available on the museum’s website.