At Studio 12 in Avon, Dawn Eskins has created a happy place where people of all ages and walks of life can learn about art and create their own pieces in a variety of mediums, all while enjoying coffee, tea and refreshments.
If you’re a longtime visitor to Hatteras Island, you may remember Studio 12’s original owner, Carolyn Schena, a beloved islander who laid the foundations for this special place. With Carolyn’s untimely passing, the island nearly lost this treasure. But then Dawn moved to Hatteras Island and returned to her dream of making art. She honors Carolyn’s legacy while continuing to improve and grow Studio 12.
The Hatteras community is filled to the brim with talent, and that’s why Dawn has transformed Studio 12 into an all-local gallery. When you buy a piece of art, you can be sure it was created right here on the Outer Banks. You can find Dawn’s art, too, which features local Hatteras landmarks.
Learn
Studio 12 offers you the opportunity to take classes in a wide variety of mediums, with no experience required. The class schedule varies by day of the week, so check their website to learn about Studio 12’s Makers Classes. You can learn to make mugs, bud vases, wire-wrapped sea glass jewelry, suncatchers and more. Studio 12 also has a new internship program in which local artists intern in the studio for six hours a week and get access to the equipment as well as half-off the cost of supplies.
Create
The artwork for inspiration is now more accessible, and you can explore the paintings, jewelry and pottery up close. Studio 12 has also added two additional pottery wheels, so there is always something to spark your creative flow.
Those new to pottery can try Studio 12’s Clay Date for an hour on the potter’s wheel along with personalized instruction. Experienced potters can reserve studio time in one-hour increments, with options to purchase clay, glaze and kiln time.
You can pop into Studio 12 at any time and design a mosaic board, paint your own pottery or create a glass fusion project. Your creations are available to take home immediately with supplies and instructions to finish glazing or grouting, or you can leave it for Studio 12 to complete, then you pick it up before you head home.
Caffeinate
What artistic inspiration isn’t heightened with a little caffeine boost? At Studio 12’s in-house Swept Away Cafe, you can get perfectly blended espresso drinks, kombucha, breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, real fruit smoothies and Dawn’s specialty Carolina Cupcakes. Swept Away Cafe is food allergy-aware and has offerings that are gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegan and keto friendly.
Studio 12 is a place to leave everything behind, fuel up with a little caffeine, harness your creativity and let the fun flow.
41008 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
(252) 995-7899
studio12avon.com
About the Author Heather Frese
Heather Frese fell in love with the Outer Banks when she was three years old. She grew up camping every summer on Hatteras Island, and her writing is deeply influenced by the history and wild beauty of the area. Her debut novel, The Baddest Girl on the Planet, won the Lee Smith Novel Prize and is set on Hatteras Island. 
