The Greenville Museum of Art (GMoA) announces its annual Art Ball, returning on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Hilton Greenville. As one of Pitt County’s most anticipated cultural events, the Art Ball directly supports the museum’s mission to enrich and inspire Eastern North Carolina through visual arts programming, community outreach, and arts education.
This year’s theme, “Textiles Through Time,” is inspired by GMoA’s exhibition Archiving Place and celebrates both the tradition and innovation of textile arts in the Southeast. Guests are encouraged to dress creatively in ways that honor or reinterpret textile heritage. The silent auction will also highlight textile-based artworks in support of the theme.
The 2026 Art Ball will introduce the inaugural Nancy Monroe Artist of the Year Award, established to recognize exceptional artistic achievement in North Carolina. The first recipient, George Crisman Snyder III, is a North Carolina–based artist whose practice integrates contemporary design with nineteenth-century Southern quilting techniques. His work is defined by hand-piecing, hand-quilting, and rigorous historical research, reflecting textile methods once common across the Carolinas and Georgia. Snyder, who lives and works in Ayden, North Carolina, continues to produce commissioned quilts, restore historic examples, and support the preservation of regional craft traditions. A special pop-up exhibition of his textile work will be presented exclusively during the event.
The Art Ball will also include dining, beverages, raffles, live and silent auctions, and live music by The Monterio Experience Band. Susan Andrews, a respected regional art market professional and longtime GMoA supporter, will lead the evening’s auctions for a second year, with the Master of Ceremonies to be announced soon.
The Art Ball’s Impact
As GMoA’s largest annual fundraiser, the Art Ball sustains the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, and community initiatives across Pitt County and Eastern North Carolina. Funds raised strengthen GMoA’s ability to provide accessible arts experiences, partner with local organizations, and support underserved communities. The event also fosters regional cultural and economic vitality by expanding networks among artists, civic partners, donors, and arts advocates.
Thursday Dec 4, 2025
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST