Sixteen Delaware artists are being recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts for the high quality of their artwork. Work samples from 118 Delaware choreographers, composers, musicians, writers, and visual artists were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals, considering demonstrated creativity and skill in their art form. The 16 selected fellows reside throughout Delaware including Claymont, Dover, Greenville, Lewes, Middletown, Newark, Rehoboth Beach, and Wilmington.

Awards are given in three categories – $10,000 for the Masters Award, $6,000 for the Established Professional Award, and $3,000 for the Emerging Professional Award – and Artist fellows are required to offer at least one exhibit or performance during the upcoming year, providing an opportunity for the public to experience their work.

“Individual Artist Fellowship grants provide the recognition and exposure that artists need to successfully promote their work,” said Paul Weagraff, director of Delaware Division of the Arts.  “The financial award allows them to pursue advanced training, purchase equipment and materials, or fulfill other needs to advance their careers.”

The Masters Fellowship is open to differing artistic disciplines each year. In Fiscal Year 2016, Masters Fellowship applications were accepted in Literary or Media Arts from artists who had previously received an Established Professional Fellowship. In addition to exemplifying high artistic quality, Masters Fellowship applicants must demonstrate their involvement and commitment to the arts in Delaware.

Ramona DeFelice Long (Newark) has been awarded this year’s Masters Fellowship.  Long, an award-winning author and daily writing proponent, has shared her expertise and enthusiasm for writing via “how-to” articles on her website; participating in local writing groups, readings, and retreats; leading Free Write workshops at Delaware libraries; tutoring, mentoring, and judging youth writers in Delaware schools; and editing other writers’ work, including co-editing an anthology of prose and poetry by Delaware authors.

Listed below are the 16 Delaware Division of the Arts 2016 Individual Artist Fellows and four Honorable Mentions. To contact an individual artist, please email or call: Roxanne Stanulis, Program Officer, Artist Programs and Services, Roxanne.Stanulis@delaware.gov or (302) 577-8283.

2016 INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWS

Masters Award ($10,000)

Ramona DeFelice Long, Newark, Literature: Fiction

Established Professional Award ($6,000)

Siobhan Carroll, Greenville, Literature: Fiction

Lisa Dill, Wilmington, Literature: Creative Nonfiction

Diane Lorio, Dover, Visual Arts: Painting

Ron Meick, Wilmington, Visual Arts: Works on Paper

Joshua Meier, Middletown, Visual Arts: Photography

Abby Millager, Newark, Literature: Playwriting

Kiandra Parks, Wilmington, Media Arts: Video/Film

Maggie Rowe, Newark, Literature: Poetry

Phillip Scarpone, Wilmington, Visual Arts: Sculpture

Bruce Tychinski, Newark, Music: Solo Recital

Emerging Professional Award ($3,000)

J. Barbagallo, Claymont, Literature: Fiction

Linda Celestian, Wilmington, Visual Arts: Painting

Sherry Gage Chappelle, Rehoboth Beach, Literature: Poetry

Victor Letonoff, Lewes, Literature: Creative Nonfiction

Zaneta Zubkova, Wilmington, Visual Arts: Works on Paper

Honorable Mention

Mahasveta Barua, Newark, Literature: Creative Fiction

Jen Epler, Wilmington, Literature: Fiction

Glenn Holmstrom, Claymont, Visual Arts: Painting

Mia Muratori, Wilmington, Visual Arts: Painting

The next deadline for Individual Artist Fellowship applications is Monday, August 1, 2016 by 4:30 p.m.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
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.

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