2025 Art Stores & Galleries Guide

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, the Cameron Art Museum has grown over the past five decades into one of coastal North Carolina's premier collections of regional, national and international art, filling virtually every corner of its gallery space at its 17th Street and Independence Blvd. intersection location. The modern building with its trio of glass pyramid rooftops is easy to distinguish in Downtown Wilmington, however visitors are even more impressed when they walk through the doors and get a first glimpse of the permanent and rotating collections.

Situated in the heart of the downtown area, and expanding for a full city block, the Old Wilmington City Market is a distinctive destination where history and shopping are effortlessly combined. Though it has served a number of purposes over the years, these days, the Old Wilmington City Market is known as a convenient destination for visitors who are on the hunt for some of the Port City’s more unique shops, with goodies that range from regional artworks to tasty local coffees.

8 Fine Art Gallery is a chic little gallery that features a wealth of artworks from regional and local artists which pays homage to the coastal environment, or to its own little unique niche in the art world. The gallery is located just outside of the heart of historic Downtown Southport on Long Beach Road, and is located next to a collection of acclaimed restaurants and shops, and is surrounded by the historic downtown area. As a result, it’s a popular spot for visitors who are simply perusing the array of shops in the region, or who are taking advantage of Southport’s reputation as a prime destination for fresh artworks and vintage coastal décor.

Art lovers who want to truly dive into the local and regional Cape Fear arts scene will want to make a stop at the ACES Gallery. Orchestrated and run by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, this homegrown gallery supports and showcases artists from all across the area to the delight of coastal art fans everywhere.

The Artshak Studio and Gallery is a cool destination for historic Southport art lovers with a unique setting that’s housed within a barn-style but still coastal building on the edges of the downtown area. Easy to walk to and explore for visitors who are taking a leisurely stroll along Howe Street, this cool and colorful gallery features a wealth of surprises in store for longtime patrons and newcomers alike, thanks to a nice mixed collection of sculpture, paintings, photography, and more.

In Wilmington, the arts scene and the nightlife scene effortlessly combine, and this cool coupling is perfectly apparent at the invitingly chic Bottega Art & Wine. Voted "Best Art Gallery" by Encore Magazine Readers - Wilmington’s guidebook for area arts and culture - the cool downtown gallery has an eclectic crowd of art lovers, drink lovers, and everyday explorers who are in the mood to try something new.

From creamy fudge, to nautical-themed gifts, to truly unique holiday ornaments and décor, you can find everything under the sun at Callahan's of Calabash. An expansive gift store that is a landmark and popular destination in its own right, this 35,000 square foot gift shop with a wonderfully ship-shape aesthetic will thrill visitors of all ages, and offers a little something special for shoppers of all tastes.

No artful exploration of Wilmington is complete without a visit to the acclaimed Charles Jones African Art. This local institution has been in business for more than 25 years, and features an extensive collection of traditional African works in all mediums, enchanting art aficionados and everyday shoppers or explorers alike.

Franklin Square Gallery perfectly combines Southport’s inherent love of art, culture, and history, thanks to both a unique setting and a collection of acclaimed regional and local artists that are clearly inspired by the wild Cape Fear environment. Located along a small side street just a few blocks away from the Downtown Waterfront, this gallery is a fine destination for sightseers and strolling explorers who want to dive into Southport’s storied history and arts scene.

The only enclosed mall within a 55-mile radius, Independence Mall is the Wilmington region’s dominant fashion-oriented shopping center. With more than a million square feet of space, the mall houses four anchors and a diverse variety of in-line tenants. We are currently conducting a sweeping redevelopment of this mall, which will transform it from a fully enclosed space into a modern, open-air retail destination. The redesigned space will feature a grocery-anchored power center, a completely updated enclosed mall corridor, a modern lifestyle streetscape of upscale dining and retail options, and a multi-tenant building complex that houses a wide array of specialty service providers.

New River Pottery a home décor superstore that offers everything to make a house a home! From interior décor, to outdoor accessories, furnishings, and much more!

Southport is well known for its collection of art galleries, antique stores, and vintage shops, and visitors can enjoy a full sample of everything this coastal town has to offer in the “treasure hunting” arena with a visit to the Northrop Antiques Mall. Featuring roughly 38 different dealers and vendors all found under one roof, this antique emporium is an all-encompassing spot for shoppers to find a myriad of eclectic items and priceless collectables.

Visitors who are strolling along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk can enjoy a colorful break from the sun and sand by stepping into the vibrantly inviting Saltwater Surf Art Gallery. Featuring a wealth of distinctively beach-themed artworks, this cool little gallery will catch the eye of experienced art buyers and everyday sightseers alike.

Experienced art collectors and everyday sightseers alike will be surprised to find the extensive and exceptional collection at Wilmington’s own The Gallery of Fine Art. Featuring multiple artists from around the globe that will inspire and uplift visitors, this acclaimed gallery is a fine spot to begin or enhance an art collection that will last a lifetime.

The Port City is nothing if not creative and community-minded, and one of the chicest additions to the cultural landscape is theArtWorks - a planned art village that provides ample studio space, event venues, and gallery space for local artists to hone their talents and let their pieces shine. Open to visitors on Saturday, this amazing spot is the place to go to find talented artists before they make it big, and to discover a wealth of works that utilize the Cape Fear landscape as a stunning inspiration.

Enjoy a delicious taste of the laid-back and artful Southport life with a visit to the refreshing Uncorked by the Sea Wine Shop & Gallery. Much more than a traditional wine store, this wine shop and gallery features plenty of tasting options, special events, and a host of regional artworks on display and for sale to enjoy over a glass of vino or two. A relaxing stop after a long day of exploring the city, this chic store will impress wine fans, art aficionados, and everyday visitors alike.