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A bright, pretty building alongside N.C. Highway 12 in Avon promises to turn you into an artist once you step inside. This is Studio 12, established by longtime owner Carolyn Schena. The creative atmosphere inside coupled with its delightful adjoining coffee shop made the studio a must-stop for both vacationers and locals for nearly 20 years. But when Carolyn passed away in 2019, Studio 12’s future became uncertain.
Miles away in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Dawn Eskins was busy and thriving as the owner of the wildly popular Carolina Cupcakery, but she was ready for a slower pace, more family time and a return to art. When her husband’s job brought them to Hatteras Island, Dawn, whose family is from Carova, readily settled in, bought a beach house and joined Hatteras’ tight-knit community. To rejoin her artistic pursuits show bought Studio 12.
Dawn immediately realized the merits of what Carolyn had established at Studio 12. At the entrance is an inspiration gallery full of pieces crafted by local artists that provide inspiration for creating your own one-of-a-kind Hatteras souvenir.
“You can go over to the studio and make the art pieces yourself the way you want,” Dawn says.
And as it has for the last 20 years, Studio 12 offers classes in bisque painting, wire-wrapped sea glass jewelry making, suncatchers and wine bottle boards. Classes can be scheduled online.
Dawn and her staff are also lovingly expanding the offerings. They’ve added maker’s classes in mermaid soap, clay shell bowls, bud vases and clay fairy tree houses.
Another exciting new feature is the clay room. This space offers hands-on clay projects like slab work as well as training on the pottery wheel to make stoneware bowls. You can schedule open studio time at the potter’s wheel online or try a Clay Date to learn the basics.
Dawn keeps the shop open year-round so local artists can also use the space. Dawn and the staff are committed to fast turnaround options, firing clay pieces nightly for pick up the next day. Studio 12 also offers acrylic take-home kits.
Kids love the new Mermaid Hunt in which they search the studio to find 50 mermaids displayed throughout the space and enjoy a cake pop at the end.
The pretty little studio perched on the side of Highway 12 is thriving and bustling once again. The beloved activities established by Carolyn Schena stay intact, while thoughtful updates bring excitement and new joys. If you are in Avon, stop by and see how bright the light shines at Studio 12.
Something for Everyone at Swept Away Cafe
As the new owner, Dawn Eskins is not only updating Studio 12, but also its in-house coffee shop, Swept Away Cafe. Dawn has elevated the coffee shop offerings, adding Carolina Cupcakery cupcakes along with healthy items such as kombucha and acai bowls. They also offer perfectly blended espresso drinks, handmade Italian sodas, fruit smoothies, pastries, cinnamon rolls, cookies and muffins.
Swept Away Cafe is food allergy aware and offers options that are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan and keto. Even dogs can get a vacation treat with one of Carolina Cupcakery’s pupcakes.
(252) 995-7899
41008 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
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. 
