Rooted in Wilmington: North Carolina Azalea Festival unveils annual artwork – WWAYTV3

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH (WWAY) — An homage to a tree and a festival intertwined in Wilmington history.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival unveiled the artwork representing its seventy-seventh year of festivities Wednesday night.

This year’s selection, “Southern Roots,” is an oil painting by Wilmington artist Sharon Jones.

It depicts the back – an often overlooked side – of Airlie Gardens’ namesake ‘Airlie Oak.’

Jones revealed that the painting represents both the landmark and the festival, as the two share deep roots in the community.

When President Andrew Nettleman first approached her about the subject of the painting, she found it daunting.

She spent time at the gardens, gathering research, and growing a new perspective and appreciation for the tree.

In this, she discovered that the tree was also familiar to the festival, serving as a backdrop for a photograph of the first Queen Azalea.

Jones drew parallels between the stories of the two, and how through community and the devotion of caretakers, both have withstood the test of time, adapted to change, and flourished from it.

The finished piece was revealed tonight for a crowd of supporters at Bluewater Waterfront Grill, and was met with applause and awe.

The artwork was sponsored by Berney and Jones’ attorney, and the artist’s daughter, Emily Jones.

She found it rewarding to return the favor to her mother who supported her in her own career.

Following the ceremony, Nettleman awarded Jones with a framed print of her mother’s artwork.

Meanwhile, a line of guests awaited the chance to meet the artist and ask for an autograph on their own prints of the painting.

Earlier Wednesday, the Azalea Festival announced the headliners of its next summer concert series.

Nettleman teased that popular events such as the scholarship pageant and youth art contest will also return.

For more information on what else is in store for its seventy-seventh year, visit the festival’s website.