Gallery at DREAMS Center for Arts Education reopens with new exhibition

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — DREAMS Center for Arts Education will reopen its gallery space for a new exhibition Friday, featuring work by North Carolina artist Bob Ostrom, as part of the nonprofit’s return to Fourth Friday Gallery Nights after a multi-year hiatus.

The exhibition, titled “Wooden That Be Fun?,” features large-scale paintings of mermaids and sea creatures rendered in acrylic gouache on plywood. It follows a July show that featured artist McKayla Walker and marks the second installment in the DREAMS gallery’s relaunched exhibition program.

Ostrom’s paintings draw on his background in cartooning, illustration and storytelling. He describes his style as “Pop-Art, Cartoontistic-Illustrationism,” a return to physical painting after years of working digitally.

The public is invited to meet Ostrom and view the exhibition Aug. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at DREAMS Center for Arts Education, 901 Fanning St., as part of Fourth Friday Gallery Nights.

DREAMS operates the gallery on a zero-commission model, meaning artists keep 100% of proceeds from sales. Organization officials said the approach is intended to remove financial barriers for artists while providing exhibition opportunities for creators at various career stages, from young and emerging artists to teaching and established professionals.

Officials said the gallery program is part of a broader effort to build an arts ecosystem connecting professional artists with young people in the DREAMS community.

Artists interested in future solo or group exhibition opportunities can contact DREAMS at programs@dreamswilmington.org.