Wandering into Wonder: A Thursday Afternoon with ZDAC

Zebulon Downtown Arts Council, 2026 / Instructor Gwyneth Scoggins and Kristine Ross at the Free Student Art Class

Have you ever stepped into a space and instantly felt your own creative gears start turning? That was exactly my experience this past Thursday afternoon.

Wandering through downtown last Thursday, I ducked into the Zebulon General Store. With its soaring ceilings, gorgeous natural light pouring through the windows, and shelves brimming with local, handmade crafts, the atmosphere was already magic. But the absolute best part of the afternoon wasn't the ambiance; it was the joyful, focused hum of children making art.

If you're raising an art student, you already know how precious it is to find a space where your child feels seen, inspired, and safe to make a mess while exploring their imagination. I am thrilled to tell you that the Zebulon Downtown Arts Council (ZDAC) is cultivating exactly that kind of environment right here in our community.

This fall, ZDAC is rolling out a fantastic student art contest for grades 6–12, playfully themed "Zebulon Out of the Box." But rather than just announcing the contest and leaving families to figure it out, ZDAC is wrapping its arms around our students to help them prepare.

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I had the pleasure of sitting in on one of these prep classes, How to Adhere to a Theme. It was led by Gwyneth Scoggins, a brilliant art education college student and, fun fact, a former Zebulon Art Contest winner herself! Watching Gwyneth connect with the kids was like watching a masterclass in mentorship.

To give you a glimpse into what made the afternoon so special, Gwyneth had the students drawing wild, unexpected themes out of a hat, challenging them to stretch their creative muscles. She also introduced them to the "sticky-note critique," a brilliant, low-pressure way for the young artists to collaborate, leave encouraging feedback, and learn from their peers. Throughout the class, students were encouraged to lean into the mediums they already love, while boldly trying their hands at something entirely new.

Seeing a younger generation actively creating in the heart of downtown, supported by such a warm community, really reminded me of what Zebulon is all about. ZDAC does so much more than host contests; they weave the arts into the very fabric of our town, giving our kids a platform to shine.

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So, how can your family get involved? If you want to nurture your child's creativity, or even your own, I cannot recommend ZDAC enough. They are constantly launching new events, classes, and programs, and they would absolutely love to see you there.

The best way to experience it all is to become a ZDAC member. Not only does your membership directly support our mission to enrich the Zebulon community through the arts, but it also gives you access to exclusive discounts on class registrations and event tickets. It’s the perfect excuse to keep bringing your family downtown to create.

I left the Zebulon General Store feeling incredibly inspired, and ZDAC cannot wait to share what these young artists are working on next.