Over 1,000 children and adults gathered at Dowdy Park on Saturday, May 9 for the 37th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival presented by PNC Bank. 

In between a lively performance by the Mustang Music Outreach Program students and an outstanding production by Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center, Dare Arts Program Director Meredith Timberlake announced that First Flight High School senior Sabra Dawson was selected as the 2026 Artrageous Youth Scholarship recipient. 

Dawson will be attending University of North Carolina Wilmington to major in art education and minor in photography or journalism. 

“I was so excited to learn that I was awarded the Artrageous Youth Scholarship because pursuing the arts means a lot to me,” said Dawson. “I hope to major in art education, and continue my love for art as a whole. As the only senior in AP Art, I hope to see our program grow as the years continue. Thank you to Dare Arts for supporting my future and education in the arts.”

The festival included over 20 free art activities for children, live music, dance, as well as an artisan market and food vendors. The day’s celebratory spirit was further heightened by the annual announcement of the Artrageous Youth Scholarship recipient.

“It was an honor to present the 2026 Artrageous Scholarship Award to Sabra Dawson at the 37th Annual Artrageous Kids Festival,” said Dare Arts Program Director Meredith Timberlake. “As a woman who, herself, chose to pursue the arts in college, it is near and dear to my heart to see next generations enthusiastically and unapologetically do the same, fearlessly embracing future career paths in the arts.” 

The Artrageous Kids Art Festival is Dare County’s longest-running kids art program. Each year proceeds from the event go to the Artrageous Youth Scholarship Fund, which awards a scholarship to a Dare County high school senior intending to study fine art or the performing arts in college. 

Thank you to PNC Bank, the Don & Catharine Bryan Cultural Series, and Barbara Hanft & Roland McDevitt for sponsoring Artrageous. 

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

This project is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.  

For more information, please visit DareArts.org or call (252) 473-5558. 

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.