Delaware News

The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit Stephanie Boateng’s “The Sweet Shoppe” from March 3-31

Delaware Division of the Arts | Department of State | New Castle County | News | Date Posted: Monday, February 27, 2023


Two images by Delaware artist Stephanie Boateng

On view from March 3-31, 2023

 

Wilmington, Del. (February 25, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Stephanie Boateng’s exhibition, “The Sweet Shoppe”, running March 3-31, 2023. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, March 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Stephanie Boateng is a 24-year-old Delaware based three-dimensional portrait artist. Boateng’s work features black women created to be an experience of happiness, love, and beauty. Boateng’s subjects feature wide smiles as the artist wants the paintings to fill the viewers with contagious joy.

Boateng is inspired by Black artists, stylists, photographers, and influencers, especially by Alyssa Silos, whose social media following and flourishing world-wide art career led Boateng to begin her business and venture into the 3-D portraits that garnered her Fellowship. The addition of flowers, rhinestones, papier mache, sweets made from , and myriad other objects allows Boateng’s vivid, smiling, and sometimes larger-than-life portraits to move off the canvas.

“The 3-D elements in my work are so important because I want the artwork to truly speak to the viewer and allow them to interact with it in a very personal way.” But making actual objects cohesive with a painted canvas creates challenges. “As my paintings get bigger, I know the 3D pieces are going to get more difficult, but I’m excited for all of the new milestones.”

Her work is grounded in a deep passion for connecting with people. Boateng is especially delighted when her paintings are appreciated on an emotional level and people are enlivened by the contagious joy they see. That’s the purpose of her art. “I am always so grateful to be able to share a smile with others. Many people don’t understand just how powerful it is. Sharing a smile could brighten up someone’s day or even someone’s life.”

Boateng dreams of owning her own studio, and teaching others how to use art to improve their daily lives through art therapy. She also wants to promote mental health awareness in black women.

The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.

Image: “Sienna”. Mixed Media on Canvas. 60″x84″. 2022.

Image: “Mocha”. Mixed Media on Canvas. 48″x72″. 2022.

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. 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. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

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The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit Stephanie Boateng’s “The Sweet Shoppe” from March 3-31

Delaware Division of the Arts | Department of State | New Castle County | News | Date Posted: Monday, February 27, 2023


Two images by Delaware artist Stephanie Boateng

On view from March 3-31, 2023

 

Wilmington, Del. (February 25, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Stephanie Boateng’s exhibition, “The Sweet Shoppe”, running March 3-31, 2023. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, March 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Stephanie Boateng is a 24-year-old Delaware based three-dimensional portrait artist. Boateng’s work features black women created to be an experience of happiness, love, and beauty. Boateng’s subjects feature wide smiles as the artist wants the paintings to fill the viewers with contagious joy.

Boateng is inspired by Black artists, stylists, photographers, and influencers, especially by Alyssa Silos, whose social media following and flourishing world-wide art career led Boateng to begin her business and venture into the 3-D portraits that garnered her Fellowship. The addition of flowers, rhinestones, papier mache, sweets made from , and myriad other objects allows Boateng’s vivid, smiling, and sometimes larger-than-life portraits to move off the canvas.

“The 3-D elements in my work are so important because I want the artwork to truly speak to the viewer and allow them to interact with it in a very personal way.” But making actual objects cohesive with a painted canvas creates challenges. “As my paintings get bigger, I know the 3D pieces are going to get more difficult, but I’m excited for all of the new milestones.”

Her work is grounded in a deep passion for connecting with people. Boateng is especially delighted when her paintings are appreciated on an emotional level and people are enlivened by the contagious joy they see. That’s the purpose of her art. “I am always so grateful to be able to share a smile with others. Many people don’t understand just how powerful it is. Sharing a smile could brighten up someone’s day or even someone’s life.”

Boateng dreams of owning her own studio, and teaching others how to use art to improve their daily lives through art therapy. She also wants to promote mental health awareness in black women.

The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.

Image: “Sienna”. Mixed Media on Canvas. 60″x84″. 2022.

Image: “Mocha”. Mixed Media on Canvas. 48″x72″. 2022.

###

Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. 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. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.