Rebecca Watkins Exhibit
A Tight Lines: Fish Tales from the Outer Banks
In August, our Vault Gallery will feature original acrylic paintings by Rebecca Watkins.
Every fisherman has a fish tale to share. Tight Lines: Fish Tales from the Outer Banks, tells the stories of fishermen and highlights the juxtaposition of anglers in the Outer Banks, where fishing is a sport for visitors and a livelihood for many locals. This exhibition features paintings that illustrate the beauty, strength, and dedication of fishermen from all walks of life, fishing from the beach, piers, fishing boats, and the local charter fleet.
"This series is dedicated to our local fishermen who have allowed me to collect their stories, take their photos, and then tell their fish tales through my paintings. I wish you “Tight Lines” and thank you for helping me share your stories that reflect the beauty, strength, and dedication to fishing in the Outer Banks." - Rebecca Watkins
Exhibition Dates + Artist Bio
A Tight Lines: Fish Tales from the Outer Banks will be on display in the Vault Gallery August 1-28, 2025.
There will be an opening reception on Friday, August 1 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Rebecca and view her work. The opening reception is during downtown Manteo's First Friday festivities and is free and open to the public.
Rebecca Watkins is an artist who lives in Manteo, North Carolina. She grew up in Indiana and moved to Rocky Mount, North Carolina after graduating from Wake Forest University. She spent over 20 years employed as an educator in Rocky Mount, NC, before retiring and moving to the coast in 2021. Rebecca's artistic skills developed as she took formal drawing and painting courses throughout school while living in Indianapolis, Indiana. In college, she continued to take art classes and added a studio art minor to her Spanish and education degrees from Wake Forest University (B.A.) and NC State (M.S.A.). Rebecca's love of teaching Spanish allowed her the opportunity to travel throughout Latin America where she was inspired Hispanic artisans and artists. Their influence can be seen in her paintings using storytelling, bright colors, and bold brush strokes. Her figurative paintings illustrate daily life and the work of everyday people. Her painting style can be described as contemporary impressionism, but she isn’t afraid to mix styles and techniques as her goal is to continue to grow artistically and tell a story.
To learn more about Rebecca and her artwork, visit her website on the button below.