We’re celebrating creativity with afternoon of live music, artists at work, readings and more.

Pastel instructor Jane Staszak (photo Louis Aliotta)

On Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, N.C. will present Creativity Unleashed, an afternoon of pottery demonstrations, live readings, painters at their easels, live music, acting, and more. Appetizers and refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon. There is no charge and no reservations are necessary.

Ginny Lassiter, owner of the eclectic art gallery, says, “We wanted to share our love for all art genres and give visitors a chance to see some local artists at work.”

Lassiter, an artist herself, works in acrylic and will be one of the artists found at her easel throughout the afternoon. Also painting will be Jefferson watermedia artist Raney Rogers who is the host of the Painting With Raney television program; award-winning artist Jane Staszak, the gallery’s pastel instructor; Sneads Ferry oil painter Sherry Thurston; and abstract artist Liz Roberts. Watercolor artist Pat White will also be on hand with her note cards.

Wilmington clay artist Brian Evans will work on the pottery wheel throughout the afternoon. The Beaufort, S.C. artist first studied ceramics under master potter Hiroshi Sueyoshi and is now renowned for his own vessels and sculptural pieces inspired by nature, architecture and the human form.

Designers Sherry Banner and Kathie Wolk will be creating original jewelry throughout the event.

Performing live music will be Lesa Hudson and Rick Strickland from the Murrells Inlet-based group the Rick Strickland Band. Both vocalists/musicians have been nominated from numerous 2014 Carolina Beach Music Academy awards including Male Vocalist of the Year, Solo Album of the Year and Producer of the Year for Strickland and Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for Hudson.

Acoustic duo Obscurity, made up of husband and wife Tom and Liz Roberts, will present a program of Gaelic music and Carolina tunes.

Actor/author Stan Atamanchek (“Blackbeard’s Fun Pirate Talk”) will be in costume to entertain gallery visitors with pirate tales and adventure. Pat Gambarelli, author of “The Four Seasons of Gourmet Entertaining” and “Pasta For Men” is bring some of her favorite appetizers and sweets for gallery visitors to taste and enjoy.

Since opening in 2002, Sunset River Marketplace has become an active supporter of performing, literary and visual arts in the area. The 10,000 square-foot gallery features work by over 200 North and South Carolina artists. Its on-site pottery studio has two kilns and three wheels for use by students. Ongoing oil, pastel and watercolor classes are also provided, in addition to workshops by nationally known artists. The gallery’s Coffee With the Authors programs feature presentations by local and regional offers. A Paint & Party series provides a fun after-work experience for those with no previous art background. The gallery’s framing department offers full-service, on-site custom frame design.

Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (Hwy 179), Calabash, N.C. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the website (www.staging.careful-crib.flywheelsites.com) or “like” the gallery’s Facebook page, which is updated daily. Reach the gallery by telephone at 910.575.5999.

Sunset River Gallery