The Artists
Desirée Adams - Performing Artist
Rev. Desirée Adams is the pastor of Ocracoke United Methodist Church where she has the privilege of shepherding a beloved community. She is also President of Ocracoke Alive, INC., an exemplary nonprofit that creates and advocates for opportunities in arts and education.
The performing arts have been Adams’ most challenging mentor, consistent companion, and faithful link to the understanding of self, others, and the Divine since before she could read. She has worked professionally across the country, including as a proud member of Actor's Equity Association, acting, dancing, singing, songwriting, directing, choreographing, playwriting, and teaching. She loves the collaboration and revelation possible in performing arts, the intersection of art and theology, and is particularly interested in how performance art may enhance theological discourse, discipleship forming, and building, maintaining, and repairing relationships in Christian and interfaith communities.
Adams received her Bachelor of Art Degrees from Appalachian State University in Philosophy, Religion, and Dance, with a minor in Theatre. She is an RYT-200 with a certification in Integrated Somatic Trauma Therapy. She will receive her Masters of Divinity in May from Duke Divinity School at Duke University with Certificates in Wesleyan Studies and Theology and the Arts. The Stations of the Cross Trail is her capstone project for her arts certificate.
Adams extends her deepest gratitude and love to her husband, Will; her family and friends; her OUMC congregation and communities (Ocracoke, Duke, NCCUMC); and all the artists who bravely participated in this project. May the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in the sight of the Holy One who is joy beyond joy, peace beyond peace, hope beyond hope, and love beyond love. Grace & peace, beloveds.
William Adams - Carpenter
Will Adams – carpenter, builder, entrepreneur, realtor, kite-boarder, outdoorsman, adventure lover, creator, Christian. I love so many things, so many activities, but what I love most is what’s next. I love the adventure, the challenge, and unchartered territory.
I grew up dancing between the North Carolina/Virginia line (much less well known than the Florida/Georgia line) – Burlington, NC to Chatham, VA. A third Generation Hokie, I obtained a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in Economics with minors in Agricultural Economics and Real Estate. Forced into indentured servitude, I mean “helping my family out,” during the summers between semesters I picked up a couple carpentry skills. My dad wished he was a contractor, my brother a GC, there was always a 100-year-old house being remodeled. Dad, now retired, builds furniture as a hobby. My brother teaches building science at high school, my sister works in a cabinet shop, and another sister builds Etsy-like furniture and crafts any chance she can get in the woodshop. It’s in my blood.
There’s no lack of unturned rocks in construction and real estate – which I love! My passions are people and creating. I’m fortunate to explore both through my company, Pretty Work Construction, and as a Realtor at The Rich Company of Ocracoke. I have yet to find a greater sense of accomplishment than in finding a client their perfect Ocracoke property. I am chairman of the board of Trustees at OUMC, chairman of the Ocracoke Tourism Development Authority, and sit on the Ocracoke Planning Board. If the wind is blowing Southwest, I’ll be flying a kite through the Atlantic Ocean from Southpoint to Airport - wave to me from the beach. If the water’s calm and the fish are biting, you’ll find me on the boat in the Pamlico. If it’s a rainy Saturday morning I’ll be in the hammock on the front porch with my phone on Do Not Disturb.
Kristen Barnes-Holiday - Creative Writer
With a fiercely ambitious and humble spirit, Dr. Kristen Barnes-Holiday has carved out a lane for herself fueled by faith, determination, and the gift of discernment. She has embraced her God given gifts in a number of ways; she is an administrator, educator, writer, and an all-around creative. Dr. Barnes-Holiday has sharpened her natural-born leadership skills through prestigious opportunities and experiences that include becoming an Aspen Institute Fellow, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and inductions into Phi Delta Kappa International Fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, and she is a former board member of the Detroit Economic Club Young Leaders.
Dr. Barnes-Holiday earned her PhD in Educational Studies (Urban Education) from Eastern Michigan University. In May 2026, she will receive her Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School at Duke University. She currently resides in Detroit, Michigan with her beautiful family. Dr. Barnes-Holiday is a full-time English professor at Wayne County Community College District in Michigan, and a columnist with the Michigan Chronicle in which she shares perspective on faith, spirituality and religion.
Hannah Cummings - Painter/Mixed Media
Hannah M J Cummings is a designer and theology student from Texas. Having grown up in the South and spending time in the low plains of West Texas, Hannah is interested in exploring themes of Christianity, American idealism, and interfaith dialogue. Her work centers on the stories of the West, from the rodeo and desert to small towns and local church bodies.
Cummings received her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplary Studies in 2019. Her degree was a compilation of Art History, Graphic Design, Biblical Studies, and English Literature. She will receive her Masters of Divinity in May from Duke Divinity School at Duke University in May of 2026.
Donald Davis - Storyteller
Donald Davis grew up in the Western North Carolina mountains where his life was filled with stories. After college and seminary he became a United Methodist minister and served in parish ministry for twenty-five years. During that time he used stories more and more in preaching and teaching. Gradually Davis was called on repeatedly to tell stories in other settings. The demand grew until he retired from parish ministry to tell stories full time.
Davis and his wife, Trish, travel most of the year to festivals and other performance venues. He is the author of nineteen books and more than fifty recordings. He has received both the Circle of Excellence and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Storytelling Network.
His website is: www.ddavisstoryteller.com
Mary Beth Ashley Davis - Poet
Mary Beth Davis Ashley is a youth pastor at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. A Jackson native, she is completing her M.Div. at Duke Divinity School, where she also earned a certificate in Gender, Sexuality, Theology, and Ministry, and will soon begin the Doctor of Ministry program at Duke.
She is both a poet and a pastor, drawn to the intersections of faith, embodiment, and story. When she isn’t writing, preaching, or planning her next trip to Disney World, she can usually be found begging her husband to do the dishes or snuggling her cats.
Savana Harwood - Stained Glass Artist
Savana Harwood has been a hobby stained glass artist on Ocracoke since 2023 when she took an interest in the challenging and intricate process of working with metal, glass, light, and color.
She is also the owner and founder of Ocracoke Island Yoga Studio where she is certified as an E-RYT500 in Hot Vinyasa, YACEP Standup Paddle board Teaching & Training, Reiki, Aerial Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Mindful Meditation. She believes that yoga is meeting yourself on the mat each day, giving yourself love, compassion and kindness so that you can radiate it to the rest of the world. Her work with stained glass is an extension of that radiation - a visible affirmation of light breaking into the world through diverse colors and shapes.
Nick Kepley - Dancer
Born in Asheville, NC.
Concert dance: Ballet Austin II, Kansas City Ballet,
Broadway/NY Stage: Mary Poppins (Neeleus, Valentine, Ensemble), Cinderella (Asst. Choreographer), Waitress (Asst. Choreographer), Camelot (NY Philharmonic), American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (Joyce Theater).
TV/Film: SMASH (NBC), Great Performances (PBS)
Choreography: Working (Prospect Theater NY, Assoc.), Cake Off (Bucks County Playhouse, Assoc.) West Side Story (Mill Mountain Theatre), Dirty Dancing in Concert, Guys and Dolls (Flat Rock Playhouse).
Rehearsal Director for Dance Lab/New York (2016-2018), Ballet Master of Ballet Austin II (2013-2015, full-time faculty for Broadway Dance Center and Milwaukee Ballet. Founding Artistic Director of MOTION Dance Theatre (2010-2015). Managing Director of Stewart Queen Dance (2023-2024).
Ben Knight - Photographer/Videographer
Ben Knight is a native of Chapel Hill, NC who, via Telluride, Colorado, moved to Ocracoke, NC in 2023. He is the director and co-founder of Felt Soul Media which has produced “DamNation” (funded by Patagonia clothing company), “Red Gold” (sponsored by Trout Unlimited, recipient of over a dozen awards including “Best Environmental Film,” and shared through channels like FRONTLINE, a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary series), “The LastHoney Hunter” (qualified for a short film Oscar in 2019), and “Denali” (which went viral in 2015). His most recent film, “Best Day Ever,” won the award for Audience Choice Award at the 2025 Banff Mountain Film Competition.
About his work, Knight says, “I feel a bit shy about capturing people’s images and words; it’s a vulnerable thing” he said. “But it’s them who really make these stories shine.”
On Ocracoke, Knight is best known for his roles as “Juniper’s dad” and “Margaret’s husband.”
Jay Locklear - Musician
Rev. Jay Locklear is the pastor of New Brook UMC in Roxboro, NC. In addition to pastoring and serving in the local church, he is active as a worship leader, guest musician, and songwriter. He will graduate with his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in May of 2026, with certificates in Worship Studies and Nonprofit Management.
Jay's spiritual journey has always been intertwined with music. Growing up in church, with church musicians for piano teachers, hymns and choral music were as much a part of his musical education as Beethoven and Bach. It is always a gift and a privilege to be able to help lead worship through music, and to share that gift with others.
He is the co-writer of the song "Covenant Prayer," based on a prayer by John Wesley, and published in 2011 in "Worship and Song," the most recent music resource from The United Methodist Publishing House.
Tracey Manigault - Singer
Tracey Manigault is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Williamston, NC. Originally from Queens, NY, she currently lives in Elizabeth City, NC. Together with her husband, Arthur, they serve a total of three churches. As a dedicated member of the Praise Team, Tracey leads worship weekly and is deeply committed to fostering unity within diverse congregations, faithfully following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in ministry and daily life. Extremely honored to be invited to join this task, Tracey has a passion for unity and enjoys worshipping with one another in Christ. Her daily goal is to be obedient and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.