The “Southport, Open Your Doors” project concluded almost one year to the day after it began, with a cool and fancy gala that brought the community together to celebrate a great cause. The eleven historic doors that were transformed by local artists and displayed around Southport this fall and winter are now established in their new homes after being auctioned at our gala event.

But don't take our word for it. Check out these fabulous photos! (Click any thumbnail below to view larger)

What a Show

Between the musical stylings of The Cat5 Band, giving us all something to dance to, the auctioneering skills of Ray Wycoff, and the delightful Christine Martinez (who jointly served as our Masters of Ceremonies) the show was one to remember!

Up For Auction

We held both a live auction of the doors, as well as a silent auction of more than 50 items, including a number of one-of-a-kind artworks and unique items.

That Spread

Y'all. The spread was a veritable feast for the senses. A heartfelt thanks to Middle of the Island Catering Co. and Mr. Bartender for elevating our event to the next level!

The Community

The true stars of the event were... all of you! For everyone who showed up, who celebrated, and who contributed to a good cause, you're the best!

Thanks to All Who Made it Happen

The people who signed up to participate, showed up to help, celebrated the doors’ journey, and enjoyed the resulting marvels are more than we can count – together we fulfilled Maya Angelou’s goal: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.”

Gala Sponsors:

Back Porch Rockers, Bald Head Island Club, Joseph Bardani, Dr. Bill Bolding and Sally Pollard, C.L. Smith Construction, Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage, Committee to Elect Sheriff John W. Ingram V, Hayden Studios, Pam and Shan Hegler, Law Office of Ryan W. Johnson, Live Oak Med Spa, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., Moore Street Oyster Bar, Karen Mosteller, Oliver’s on the Cape Fear, Rivenbark Construction Co., Carver and Betsy Rudolph, Caitlin Saunders, Solstice Builders, Southport Tap and Cellar, State Port Pilot, The Jolliff Team, Michelle Truett, Uncorked by the Sea, Wade’s Jewelers, and Wilmington Cape Fear Pilots Association.

Special Thanks To:

Thanks to Ginger Harper, our door benefactor, and Fred Fiss, for the incredible idea.

Thanks to the Southport Historical Society, for sharing the donated doors with Up Your Arts and supporting the belief that art can pay homage to history. Thanks to Liz Fuller for interviewing all the artists while they worked on the project. (and sharing those interviews with us!)

Thanks to Julie Mercer and Liz Clarke Snyder for the beautiful photography on this page, and throughout the project. Thanks to the folks at Frontage Marketing Group for putting together the many emails, web pages, and other marketing materials we used throughout the project.

And thanks to all of the artists who turned history into art, our volunteers, and the people of Southport who remind us why we started this whole thing in the first place.

You are all wonderful. Thank You!

Our community is a place where people experience exceptional arts, culture and music. This happens every day, year-round. The door project was just the latest example – very visible proof -- of the beneficial perspective that art provides, even in the throes of a pandemic. Let us keep thriving together.