Art that Entertains

The Historic Turnage Theater is alive and well as the centerpiece to arts in downtown Washington. The marquee flashes on at dusk, revealing the evening’s events and beckoning downtown shoppers and diners to its doors. Step inside the former vaudeville playhouse and you’re transported back to the 1920s. Art Deco chandeliers illuminate the long hallway known as the Main Gallery and 432-seat theatre. A grand stage awaits the next magical performance. Visitors can tour the restored property by appointment and learn the story of the space through displayed costumes and programs, the original pump organ, and other memorabilia in the exhibits. The Arts of the Pamlico has transformed the space at the front of the theater into an art gallery featuring the work of local craftsmen. So even when there is not a performance, this creative hub is always buzzing and ready to entertain, inspire, and uplift those who take a turn through its doors.

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Art that Feeds the Soul

Edible art awakens the mind and the senses with a whiff of what’s baking at Val’s Gourmet. The awe-inspiring exhibits here are the mile high three-tiered cakes in flavors like carrot, chocolate cheesecake, lemon and a vanilla wafer lined banana pudding cake. Savory quiches, pies, breads, and muffins line the grab and go cases popular with locals. Baked goods are truly an artform, and Val’s is the spot to admire and bring home a masterpiece. . . of cake.

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Art that Meets and Greets

Take a tour for crabs, not the kind you can eat, but giant, vibrantly painted crab statues primed for a selfie. In 2006, 32 local artists each painted one of these large, fiberglass crabs as part of an outdoor community art project. The project raised a substantial sum for local charities. Though many have been "adopted" and moved out of town, you can still find six along the waterfront area, each decorated in a unique way.