Arts E-News

March 2, 2017
Paul Weagraff, Director
2017 Poetry Out Loud - Delaware State Finals

From a competitive field of 13 Delaware high school students, Cecilia Ergueta, a junior from Wilmington Friends School, earned the title of 2017 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion at the state finals held in Smyrna, Delaware. on February 28. Photo Credit: Kathleen Buckalew.  Read more . 
Creative Aging Workshop
This past December, the Division of the Arts hosted the 2016 Creative Aging Workshop that brought together arts organizations, artists, community organizations, and the aging services community to learn more about meaningful arts engagement programming. The workshop provided the theory and practice of creative aging and the knowledge to support and develop effective, individualized programs. In addition, training and resources were introduced to aid in the successful delivery of creative aging experiences to benefit Delaware's aging population and stimulate healthy aging. Learn more
March for the Arts Month

Governor John Carney has declared March 2017 as "March for the Arts Month." Arts are an essential element of a complete and well-rounded life and Governor Carney has called upon all Delawareans to observe the month by participating in or attending arts-related activities.

The "March for the Arts" bill was originally passed in 2003 recognizing the important collaboration between the Delaware Division of the Arts and State Arts Council, Department of Education, and the Delaware Arts Alliance.

To see what's out there for you to experience, visit DelawareScene.com  for arts and cultural events happening through the First State. 
Meet the 2017 Artist Fellows
The prestigious Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize artists in a variety of disciplines for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards. Join us each month as we present Fellows from this year's cohort.
Beth Trepper
Established Professional, Visual Arts: Photography

Beth Trepper received the Fellowship for her black and white portraiture. She chooses to photograph everyday people who have a unique sense of self and, therefore, stand out in a crowd. Her portraits are shot with both digital and 35 mm film cameras. Trepper's work has been exhibited widely throughout the U.S. and internationally. Her next show, "Half & Half," opens at The Grand in Wilmington on March 3 with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m.
Dan Carunchio
Emerging Professional, Music: Solo Recital

Daniel Carunchio, a private piano teacher in Wilmington, has taught at several area schools as well as music theory at Temple University as an adjunct instructor. To grow as a well-rounded classical pianist, he studies the intellectual history of the great music masters' times and continues to study with master musicians. Carunchio will be playing the music of Haydn, Schubert, and Chopin at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington on March 4 at 7 p.m.
Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition - Now Open!
The National Arts Program exhibition, featuring more than 200 works of art by Delaware state employees and their family members, is on view now through March 13, culminating with the award ceremony and reception on Saturday, March 4, 1-3 p.m. at the Art Center/Gallery, Delaware State University in Dover. Read more

Vote for People's Choice!  You can "like" your favorite(s) now on Facebook. The People's Choice winner will be announced at the opening reception and awards ceremony on March 4. Voting closes tomorrow, March 3.
On the Mezzanine
"Unity ," photography on metal, 
30" x 24", Special Edition 2017
March
"Trees & Observations in the Natural World ," a show of photographs by Eric Zippe, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from March 3-31, 2017. An opening reception to meet the artist will be held on Friday, March 3 from 5-7 p.m.  Zippe, a fine arts and commercial photographer, will be showing his nature photography featuring trees. At a young age, Zippe learned about trees from his father on the family farm near Clayton, Delaware. He photographs trees to capture the uniqueness of form, shape and texture often making multiple visits during different seasons. After completing the image, it is transferred to various media from paper to wood. To learn more, watch the Meet the Artist video with Zippe.

The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.  Sign up here to receive Mezzanine Gallery email invitations for upcoming exhibits.
Opportunities (selected)
For more opportunities including grants, residencies, auditions, calls for artists, and jobs in the arts, visit the Division's  website .

Join arts advocates from across the country on March 20-21, 2017 in Washington, DC for the 30th annual National Arts Action Summit, consisting of Arts Advocacy Day and the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts & Public Policy. 

Please register if you are attending both days at the Americans for the Arts' website  or send an email to Jessica Ball, JBall@DelawareArtsAlliance.org  if you only want to participate in the visits.

Here are links to a few advocacy documents, prepared by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, that provide important information that you can use to help spread the word about the value of public funding for the arts:
Mark your calendars for Delaware Arts Advocacy Day, May 4, 11 am to 2 pm, Legislative Hall, Dover.
International/National/Regional Grant Deadlines
Division Grant Deadlines
Calls for Artists
Professional Development & Networking Opportunities
The Delaware Division of the Arts  is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit  artsdel.org  or call 302-577-8278 .