A Tale of Two Artists in Elizabeth City, NC
Local residents enrich the region with their artistry and passion.
Imagine driving into a small coastal North Carolina town where you can sit by the river, engage with the visual and performing arts at little to no cost, eat, drink and socialize in a beautiful, historic downtown district, and create art on your own schedule.
This is Elizabeth City, says Lauren Luther, executive director of Arts of the Albemarle (AOA). And this is her artistic life. “It feels like a dream,” she says. Meet two artists in Elizabeth City who are making an impact in the region.
Heart for Artists in Elizabeth City
Luther was raised on a farm in Elizabeth City, where her parents owned Luther Greenhouses. Growing up, she took advantage of every artistic outlet she could find, from church music groups to dance classes to theater and art summer camps to private voice lessons through the Pasquotank Arts Council (now AOA).
AOA is a regional nonprofit arts council located in downtown Elizabeth City at The Center, the renovated historical Lowry-Chesson building.
With a goal of becoming a professional actor, Luther attended Elon University in pursuit of a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting. She realized she had a passion for producing events, especially those featuring visual and performing artists, and changed her major to arts administration with a focus in theater, “so I could blend my creative skills with business and management.”
After graduating in the spring of 2020, Luther joined the board of directors at AOA. And then a surprise: In 2022, AOA needed an interim director. Luther stepped in for what she expected to be one year.
“It became evident that this is not a job, it is a mission,” she says.
In July 2023, she transitioned from interim executive director to permanent executive director – the youngest in AOA history.
Today, under Luther’s tutelage, AOA fosters the artistic spirit of Elizabeth City, offering resources for artists of all skills and ages, a rotating calendar of free exhibits and artist conversations, visual arts programming, music and theatrical performances, and special events, such as the Third Thursday music series, First Friday ArtWalk, Battle of the Bands each January, and Splash, a weeklong, citywide artist celebration held every October.
“One of my favorite things to note is that Elizabeth City has a rich history of celebrating the arts,” Luther says. “I like to remind our patrons of this history, as we are privileged with the responsibility to carry this celebration on for generations to come.”
An Exceptional Journey
Like Luther, Cole Twiford grew up in Elizabeth City, and the city shaped him into the creative person he is today.
Cole Twiford
“I’ve experienced an exceptional journey rooted in the charm of this small town,” says Twiford, account manager at Nicole J. & Co. marketing group. “From attending art camps to creating pottery at local establishments like Clay Gardens, my roots in artistic expression run deep. I even participated in small-scale performances and supported classic dance shows and Center Players productions. Elizabeth City’s vibrant artistic culture has undoubtedly influenced my creativity today.”
He attended East Carolina University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing. Post college, his professional journey included a move to Philadelphia.
He returned to Elizabeth City due to a family tragedy. While home, he rekindled friendships and formed new connections and realized that he didn’t want to leave. His career path took an unexpected turn when he accepted an internship with Nicole J. & Co.
At Nicole J. & Co., Twiford serves as an account manager for 13 diverse clients, ranging from local breweries to software companies based in Philadelphia. He crafts and oversees social media content for clients, using unique, fresh strategies.
For instance, for one brewery client, he created a video in true “Ghost Hunters” documentary style based on the lore of Nell Cropsey. And for 2 Souls Wine Bar, he simulated a weather forecast for a wine sale during hurricane season.
“As an account manager, I have the privilege of unleashing my creativity to the fullest extent,” he says. “Stale repetition tends to wear on the audience, and to avoid that, one must dare to be different, to think creatively.”
Twiford enjoys the endless possibilities that social media provides to promote and showcase businesses and taps his inner artist for exciting new ideas.
“We recognize the diverse and remarkable aspects of our town, affirming that this isn’t just a community with art; it is the very essence of an art community,” Twiford says. “However, the most beautiful art we possess is the art of community itself.”
About Arts of the Albermarle
Arts of the Albemarle is located within the renovated historical Lowry-Chesson building, which was built in 1897. The building originally housed a flagship department store on the first floor, with the second floor dedicated to the Elizabeth City Opera House and School of Music. First performances date to 1898. By the early 2000s, the building was on the verge of being demolished. Today, it is a world-class arts facility due to the local community’s $4 million preservation campaign, and it is home to an art gallery, a 226-seat theater with dressing rooms, plus conference, event and learning space.
Get to Know Elizabeth City
Want to learn more about living and working in Elizabeth City? Check out the latest edition of Livability Elizabeth City, North Carolina.