Willow Rea Temple’s Art Journey Comes Full Circle

Willow Temple and the completed mural.

Willow Rea Temple is no stranger to the art world. She grew up in Manteo surrounded by the performing, literary, and visual arts.

“Growing up in the Rea family was quintessential “von Trapp” - we were always entertaining,” says Temple. “It was awesome to be in a household that encouraged the arts. It was always about creativity and imagination.”

While her childhood was filled with art, Temple says that her parents also emphasized the importance of ‘if you want something, you have to work for it’. 

“Ever since I was a kid, I have wanted to paint a mural in Manteo,” added Temple.

And that is exactly what she has done, but on her own terms.

In 2016, Temple graduated from Manteo High School with multiple scholarships to support her college education at University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). After graduating from UNCW in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, she moved to Puerto Rico to surf, make art, and experience life in the tropics. 

“While I was living in Puerto Rico, I helped my friend Kelly Meagher paint murals on homes and businesses there,” said Temple. “Kelly is my ‘phone a friend’ on all things art. I painted my very first mural at a friend’s shop in PR.” 

Temple moved back to the Outer Banks in 2024 and started her own art studio. Shortly after returning home from Puerto Rico, she contacted Dare Arts about creating a mural in Manteo.

“When Willow reached out about painting a mural downtown, I thought this would be a really spectacular thing to do in 2025 as part of our 50th anniversary,” said Dare Arts Exhibitions Director Tiffany Lindsey. “Public art, specifically murals, enhance the visual appeal of public places while creating an inviting atmosphere. Murals foster community pride and this one in particular celebrates the arts, history, and culture of Manteo. By expanding our offerings to include a mural, we are honoring Dare Arts’ mission of providing opportunity and enrichment through art.” 

Dare Arts worked with Temple to formulate a thoughtful plan for the mural that would educate viewers about Manteo’s rich history and support the artist’s unique style.

Manteo Hatteras Bus-Line, 1942, Aycock Brown Papers. Photo courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center.

While Dare Arts put together a proposal for the Town of Manteo, Temple took a trip to the Outer Banks History Center and spent a full day combing through their archives.

“When planning the mural, I knew that I wanted to showcase a couple of time periods from Manteo’s past, and I wanted the mural to display community, leisure, and the arts,” said Temple. “I originally had about 30 images and I did four different mockups to share with the team at Dare Arts. And, of course, we all liked the first one that I did best.”

Willow Temple painting the mural on the back wall of the Courtyard at Dare Arts this summer.

This summer, Temple painted the mural in downtown Manteo.

“It was hot out there,” she said with a laugh. “I had lots of visitors, and I enjoyed sharing my process and the mural’s story with viewers. I wanted the mural to tell a story, so I collaged images together, which allowed me to portray movement to keep the viewer’s eye flowing with the mural.” 

Located on the back wall of Dare Arts’ Courtyard, in the area affectionately referred to as “the alley-way”, the mural is now open for public viewing. 

“The mural gives viewers an insight into what day-to-day life in Manteo looked like from the late 1800s through 1940s, and Willow’s bold colors and energetic brush strokes breathe new life into the old images,” said Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands. “We invite you to come visit the mural and see how the area has changed over the past century.” 

A painting by Willow Temple that was inspired by a vintage photograph.

In October Temple’s solo exhibition, Little Worlds and Ephemeral Life, will open in the Vault Gallery at Dare Arts. 

“The month-long exhibit is a nod to the bittersweet notes of nostalgia,” said Temple. “This series of paintings was inspired by vintage photos of local life with many photo references being sourced from the Outer Banks History Center and others found in friends’ and family photo albums. I wanted to explore the temporality of life and youth, especially through the lens of my hometown. Decades pass, so much changes, yet our need to play and commune with one another is innate and timeless.” 

There will be an opening reception on Friday, October 3 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, where visitors can meet Temple and view her exhibit and the mural. The opening reception is during downtown Manteo's First Friday festivities and is free and open to the public.

Little Worlds and Ephemeral Life will be on display in the Vault Gallery through November 1.

Willow says finishing the mural in Manteo and preparing for the upcoming exhibit at Dare Arts are a full circle moment for her as an artist. 

“I want to play and I want to create, and ultimately, I just want to fill my days with as much joy as possible,” said Temple. “There have definitely been years where I have been living on pennies, but now I feel like I am entering this chapter where I can be a working artist.” 

For more information on the mural or upcoming exhibit, visit DareArts.org or call (252) 473-5558. 

In 2025, Dare Arts is commemorating its 50th anniversary by celebrating its past, present, and future. Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment, and opportunity.