While this may not be the place to opine about the dark and challenging times in which we find ourselves, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hardships we all face. Caught between hopeful scientific progress on a vaccine and spurious promises and misinformation, we wrestle with isolation, illness, and uncertainty about the future.
As I’ve said before, the arts are not a panacea in and of themselves, but they do provide an important avenue through which we can process and cope in this time of stress. The healing and restorative power of the arts for mind and body are documented time and again. To that end, I commend our artists and organizations for the innovative work they are doing to bring the arts to life in Delaware. From novel programming, both live and virtual, to innovative outreach and community service, I have seen countless examples of the creative spirit at work in people’s and communities’ lives.
We are all conducting business differently these days, and I suspect when we come out on the other end of this pandemic, we will not “return to normal.” We are all challenged to examine how we have done things in the past, and how we will need to move forward in the future. In that context, the Division of the Arts is engaged in a strategic planning process to develop a plan for the next four years. Recognizing that there are so many uncertainties, our plan must be flexible and responsive to community and individual needs.
To achieve that, we need to hear from you. We encourage all Delawareans to participate in this planning process with us, through online surveys and the virtual town halls we will be conducting during the month of November. If you don’t already follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, we encourage you to do so. We will keep you apprised of how you can provide input to our plan so that it truly serves you and our constituents. |
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Now Open: Virtual Town Hall Registration |
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The town halls will focus on various themes that emerge from the one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and Division Strategic Planning Working Group. Pre-registration will be required to receive a link to a virtual meeting.
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Tuesday, November 10
7 p.m.
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Thursday, November 12
5 p.m.
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Friday,
November 13
Noon
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Ramona DeFelice Long, an accomplished writer and editor, will be remembered for her involvement in Delaware’s writing community and her generous spirit. She was a frequent literary judge, workshop presenter, and reader throughout the state. Ramona received numerous awards from the Division and most recently, in 2016, the prestigious Masters Fellowship in Literature: Fiction.
In 2015, Ramona responded to the National Endowment of the Arts request to “share your arts story” and her quote about writing daily was featured. She was selected as the 2014 Cape Henlopen Writers Retreat Fellowship and served as a co-editor for the anthology featuring writers from the Retreat. In addition to her Masters Fellowship, Ramona received Established Artist Fellowships from the Division in 2013 for creative nonfiction and in 2009 for fiction. Full Obituary
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Holiday Happenings only at DelawareScene
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Start a new family tradition and attend a holiday arts event together. Buy a subscription, membership, or make a donation for someone who loves the arts! Visit DelawareScene.com for all your arts and entertainment events. Our “Holiday Happenings” list has dozens of events and shopping opportunities. |
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Established Professional, Literature: Poetry |
Though she’s taught writing and literature throughout her career and has been twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Caroline N. Simpson only began to write poetry when she was 29 years old. Tasked with teaching it at an international high school in Turkey, Simpson prepared diligently. “By working so hard to figure out how to unlock poetry for my Turkish students, I found the key for myself.” Read more
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Established Professional, Visual Arts: Crafts |
Over the course of thirty-five years, Robert Bruce Weston carved out a major career in architectural woodcraft as an in-demand design/build cabinetmaker. During this work, Weston became enamored with exotic and domestic woods, and he amassed a prodigious inventory (thousands of square feet) of their veneers. When a client commissioned him to do a “Monet-like wall hanging using wood veneers,” his practice as an artist painting with wood was born. Read more
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On the Mezzanine: Kim Klabe |
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Pours: Feelings of an Almost Human Nature, an exhibition of works on paper by Kim Klabe, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from November 6, 2020 through January 8, 2021. A free opening reception will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. For those unable to visit the Gallery in-person, a virtual gallery is available at the link below on November 10.
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After years of painting traditional representational scenes in acrylic and watercolor, Klabe turned to beer and wine to create spontaneous artwork she calls “pours.” The artist pours wine or dark beer onto thick watercolor paper and manipulates the paper to move the liquid. After the liquid dries, Klabe finds shapes in the dried stain like one might identify shapes in the clouds. She then defines those shapes and completes the images with markers and colored pencil. This technique leads to images that invite viewers to look closer, reflect, and often laugh. |
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Upcoming Exhibitions (Dates subject to change)
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Paintings by
Connie Simon
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Paintings by
Eileen Olson
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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.
Visitors must wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet distance
from other individuals not in their household.
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Each month we'll feature a handful of arts and community-based organizations and their programs and projects funded by the Delaware Division of the Arts. Funding for Division of the Arts grants is provided by the Delaware General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. To view past grants awarded (2000 to present), please visit our Grants Awarded page. |
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The Grand
Winter in Wilmington
Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show
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Biggs Museum of American Art
Jack Lewis: Delaware's
Hidden Gem
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Delaware Art Museum
Essential Workers Photography Campaign
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DE Relief Grants give Delaware small businesses and nonprofits access to funds to cover expenses to provide relief related to COVID-19.
The program, which has at least $150 million in funds available, is a joint initiative from the State and New Castle County. More Delaware small businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for DE Relief Grants under changes made to the program.
The grant application is now live for the third round of funding. Before the application opens, businesses and nonprofits should gather the following documents: 2019 federal tax return (requirement different for nonprofits), receipts for qualifying eligible expenses, and current Delaware business license.
Please read the guidelines and eligibility requirements here. |
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Delaware Remains in Phase 2 of the Economic Reopening |
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Delaware entered Phase 2 of the economic reopening on June 15, 2020 and remains there until further notice. Governor Carney's Phase 2 reopening plan builds on the Phase 1 plan and provides additional general and sector-specific guidance for Delawareans and Delaware businesses. Learn more
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Last chance! Carvel Building |
The Division of Facilities Management is looking for image submissions reminiscent of Delaware with an emphasis on color from a graphic designer or photographer that will be transformed into a mural that will be displayed in a newly renovated Café that will be open to the public on the mezzanine level of the Carvel State Office Building. Deadline 11/6.
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We remind and recommend that organizations, businesses and individual artists, submit their remaining 2020 and 2021 events as soon as they are scheduled, and no later than the recommended deadlines below: |
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Event Date
November & December 2020
January & February 2021
March & April 2021
May & June 2021
July & August 2021
September & October 2021
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Submit before
As soon as possible
November 15, 2020
January 15, 2021
March 15, 2021
May 15, 2021
July 15, 2021
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Ongoing Division Grant Deadlines |
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Artist Opportunity: deadline 1/3/2021, for activities happening between 2/15/2021 - 5/15/2021
Artist Residency: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to start of scheduled residency
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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 arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278. |
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