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id you know there are public benches at the end of Neuse, King, and Wall Streets overlooking the water?

Have you seen this bench at the end of Neuse Street? It’s part of Oriental’s public space.

The Tourism Board went looking for a way to indicate these public spaces to residents and visitors without adding more signs to Oriental’s streets. Carla Fisher of ArtWorks Oriental suggested an art contest in the county schools.

This dragon was created by Pamlico High School Senior Naomi Hill.

Pamlico County students were invited to design a dragon that could adorn the back of the benches, bringing public awareness to them that way. Judges reported it took a good hour and a half to choose the three final dragons.

Arapahoe Charter School winners with their art teacher: sixth grader Ella Marie Moore, Art Teacher Daryn Martin, and senior Ashli Nicole Bryant.

Their drawings were transferred to large plywood canvases and sealed against the weather. Sunday, October 24, they, their families, and community members met to unveil the work.

Naomi Hill with her framed original drawing.

Two students are from Arapahoe Charter School: sixth grader Ella Marie Moore and Senior Ashli Nicole Bryant. The third, Naomi Hill is a senior at Pamlico County High School.

The dragon design of sixth grader Ella Marie Moore.

Artist Marguerite Garrett matted and framed each artists’ original drawing for them, while Serendipity Spa gave each a gift bag. Magnolia House B&B presented each artist with a gift box containing a new $100 bill.

Senior Ashli Nicole Bryant’s dragon.

The dragons are at ArtWorks Oriental and will be installed on the benches in coming weeks.

Posted Friday October 29, 2021 by Allison DeWeese