Willow Rea Temple Exhibit
Little Worlds and Ephemeral Life
In October our Vault Gallery will feature paintings by Willow Rea Temple.
The month-long exhibit is a nod to the bittersweet notes of nostalgia. 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.
Willow uses a variety of mediums and bold colors to weave new tales into past life, making each image a timeless reminder of the brevity of youth. As you look at each character depicted, imagine all the different “little worlds” they live in. Many of our life experiences are unique, but most of them are shared, connecting us all to each other.
Show Dates + Artist Info
Little Worlds and Ephemeral Life will be on display in the Vault Gallery October 3-November 1, 2025.
There will be an opening reception on Friday, October 3 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Willow and view her work. The opening reception is during downtown Manteo's First Friday festivities, and is free and open to the public.
Willow Rea Temple was raised on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in the town of Manteo as the youngest of three girls. Both of her parents are lifelong musicians, which originally provoked her interest in the arts. Willow graduated from UNCW with a Bachelors in Studio Art, focusing on print making and ceramics. Being a water-woman, her passion for wind and waves has led her to live in a few different coastal towns and tropical paradises, making her pick up a paint brush for its portability, versatility and accessibility. Today she enjoys print-making and mixed-media painting, though she is always eager to learn of new ways to create. While living in Puerto Rico, she assisted muralist Kelly Meagher on many projects which led her to receive other contracts to do murals of her own. Willow's work is often inspired by the natural beauty of the coastline and the culture that makes up the coastal communities she holds close to her heart. Willow and her husband, Red, along with their dog Nala, live in Manteo where they both continue to make art. When Willow isn’t painting, she is spending time in the water surfing or sailing, and playing music around town with friends and family.