Delaware Division of the Arts and The Biggs Museum of American Art Open Award Winners XXIV Exhibition

Twenty Delaware artists receive significant award from the Delaware Division of the Arts

Dover, Del. (April 22, 2024) – The Biggs Museum of American Art has opened the exhibition, Award Winners XXIV, marking the 24^th consecutive year of hosting this exhibition in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts. Showcasing the exceptional work of Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellowship recipients, the exhibition is on view from April 18 to July 28, 2024. An opening reception, awards ceremony, and public performances were held on April 18 in partnership with Delaware State University at the Schwartz Center for the Arts, a short walk from the Museum.

Each year, the Delaware Division of the Arts recognizes outstanding artists through its Individual Artist Fellowships, offering monetary awards and public recognition. The fellows are selected based on the exceptional quality of their work, creativity, and skill in various art forms. This year, the Division received applications from 149 talented artists across disciplines such as choreography, composition, writing, visual arts, and more. Their work samples were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals.

“We are thrilled to host our 24^th Award Winners XXIV exhibition at The Biggs. This year, we have decided to incorporate works by Visual Arts, Folk Art, and Literature fellows on the first and second floors of our museum, interspersed among our permanent collection, to showcase works by contemporary makers in dialogue with museum objects. It is remarkable to see how artists approach similar themes and techniques across generations.,” said the Biggs Museum Curator, Laura Fravel. “Participating in this annual exhibit allows us to connect with the incredibly talented local artists in our community. This year, we also are fortunate that one of the fellowship recipients, Rebecca Raubacher, has a solo exhibition at The Biggs that coincides with Award Winners XXIV and our visitors will be able to explore her work in greater depth.” Rebecca Raubacher: Horses & Other Creatures opened on March 14 and remains on view on the museum’s third floor through July 7.

Award Winners XXIV features the work from artists from across the state, including fellowship recipients from Arden, Dover, Lewes, Long Neck, Newark, Rehoboth Beach, and Wilmington. This year, one fellow was selected in the Masters category, ten in the Established category, and nine in the Emerging category. Their diverse creative expressions will be showcased in this group exhibition, which emphasizes the exceptional talent and artistic vibrancy within the Delaware arts community.

“Each year, the Award Winners exhibition showcases the remarkable talent of Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellowship recipients, offering a vibrant tapestry of creativity and skill across various art forms,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “It’s inspiring to witness the diverse expressions of our local artists in dialogue with the museum’s permanent collection, highlighting the enduring relevance of art across generations.”

The exhibition will premiere at the Biggs Museum of American Art and subsequently travel to CAMP Rehoboth and the Cab Calloway School of the Arts, creating various opportunities for the public to engage with and appreciate these remarkable works.

The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM – 5 PM. For more information, please visit the Biggs Museum website www.theBiggsMuseum.org or contact the museum at 302-674-2111.

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Interviews with The Biggs, DDOA or Individual Artists available upon request.

DDOA 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.

Biggs Museum of American Art Contact: Kerri Lacey, Director of Marketing & PR, 302.760.5305, kerri.lacey@thebiggsmuseum.org

The Biggs Museum of American Art, located in Dover, Delaware, celebrates the rich artistic heritage of the United States through its outstanding collection of American fine and decorative arts. With rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and community collaborations, the Museum aims to inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of American art. For more information visit: www.theBiggsMuseum.org

DPH Hosts Family Assistance Center Emergency Response Full-Scale Exercise

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) hosted a Family Assistance Center (FAC) Full-Scale Exercise on Thursday, April 18, in Frankford. The exercise simulated a traffic collision with multiple coach buses and numerous injuries and fatalities. It was held to test the readiness and response capabilities of state agencies and the community.

DPH collaborated with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware State Police, Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences, Division of Social Services, Victim Services and other emergency and community-based organizations to develop a comprehensive FAC plan. Participants acted out different scenarios that mimicked what might occur following the emergency.

The Full-Scale Exercise aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various response measures, including reunification information, patient/deceased tracking, implementation of a call center, communication strategies (including family and press briefings) and family support and victims’ services operations. It also tested various aspects of the response process, including the coordination between different agencies and local hospital systems, the flow of information to the public and the support provided to survivors and their families.

“The exercise was an excellent opportunity for emergency responders and community stakeholders to practice and refine their emergency response plans,” said Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Josette Manning. “It also served as a valuable learning experience, providing them with insights into what steps can be taken in the event of a real emergency.”

“DPH is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Delawareans,” said DPH Director Steven Blessing. “By hosting this exercise, DPH aims to improve the coordination and effectiveness of emergency response efforts, ensuring that all Delawareans receive the support they need in times of crisis.”

You can view the full recording of the exercise here.

Attorney General Kathy Jennings supports new rules targeting money laundering

Attorney General Kathy Jennings has joined a coalition of 25 states and territories in filing a letter with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in support of proposed rules entitled “Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transactions.”

The April 16 letter expresses staunch support for the would-be regulations, which will reduce criminals’ ability to launder money through residential real estate transactions. Specifically, the proposal requires “certain persons involved in real estate closing and settlements to submit reports and keep records on identified non-financed transfers of residential real property to specified legal entities and trusts on a nationwide basis.”

The proposed regulations would help deter wrongdoing as well as provide an important tool for criminal investigations.

“We must use every tool at our disposal to respond to bad actors who would exploit the system to conceal criminal activity,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “The proposed regulations represent an effective and expedient option for doing just that.”

The proposed regulations will:

Require businesses – including attorneys – performing closing or settlement functions, for a non-financed sale or transfer of residential property to any entity or trust, to collect and report information to FinCEN.
Permit federal, state, and local law enforcement to access more information about suspicious real estate transactions more efficiently from a single source.
Aid law enforcement in identifying suspicious real estate transactions on a national basis that may otherwise remain undetected.

The letter also explains that the proposed rule is not overly burdensome in its reporting requirements.

“This regulatory scheme strikes an appropriate middle ground and will not be unduly burdensome on the reporting parties,” the letter states. “The Real Estate Reports impose a streamlined reporting requirement that is less onerous than financial institutions’ obligations to file Suspicious Activity Reports. FinCEN will also continue to exempt persons involved in real estate closings and settlements from the Bank Security Act’s requirement to establish anti-money laundering programs. Moreover, certain transfers, including purchases of real estate by natural persons, will not be subject to the reporting requirements.”

The letter was led by Delaware, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Also signing on to the letter were the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2023, Oklahoma AG Drummond led a 42-state coalition that successfully convinced FinCEN to provide state, local and tribal entities streamlined access to corporation ownership information established under the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021.

In addition to Delaware, the 2023 coalition included Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 13th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition Winners

Unique program highlights creativity of Delaware state employees

Dover, Del. (April 15, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts held the 13^th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition from February 27 to March 22, 2024 at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University, Dover. This year, 180 State of Delaware employees and their immediate family members submitted artwork and will be competing for awards and cash prizes. Prizes to be awarded include:

A Best of Show Award of $400
Adult, Amateur, Intermediate and Professional: First Place Awards of $350; Second Place Awards of $250; and Third Place Awards of $150
Youth / Teen: First Place Awards of $150; Second Place Awards of $100; and Third Place Awards of $50
An Art Education Award of $200 for reimbursement for arts instruction and materials
People’s Choice Award, Facebook and in-person ballot

Additional awards including Honorable Mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Awards are limited to one cash award per artist per classification.

Sponsored by the National Arts Program in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.

Participants needed to be a current employee, or immediate family member of a current employee of the State of Delaware. All entries must be the original work of the applicant and completed within the last three years.

The 2024 Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition winners are:

Best of Show: Hyo Lee from Dover

Art Education Award: Nathanael Taylor from Milton

People’s Choice Award (Online): Sarah Silves from Dover, DE

People’s Choice Award (In-person): Naomi Smith from Dover, DE

Special Awards

Special Award, Monotone: Casey Williams from Brighton, MA

Special Award, Craft: Maggie Wieber from Denton, MD

Special Award, Nature: Meg Grotti from Hockessin

Special Award, Portrait: Jasmine Davis from Dover

Special Award, Abstract: Raymond Lewis from Wilmington

Professional Category:

First Place: Brianna Shetzler from Clayton

Second Place: Sharif Sadiq from Seaford

Third Place: Joseph Repetti from Newark

Honorable Mention: Alex Mercado from Clayton

Honorable Mention: Yaprak Soysal from Wilmington

Honorable Mention: Rick Burrow from Camden-Wyoming

Intermediate Category:

First Place: Christopher Vasil from Ocean View

Second Place: Elizabeth Chen from Middletown

Third Place: Ashley Holmes from Clayton

Honorable Mention: Dan Friedrichsen

Honorable Mention: Ricki Truitt from Bridgeville

Honorable Mention: Jenesis Prioleau from Smyrna

Amateur Category:

First Place: Cyndi Holbrook from North East, MD

Second Place: Jeff Dorsch from Milton

Third Place: Kelly Nichol from Wilmington

Honorable Mention: Allison Sharp from Wyoming

Honorable Mention: Marcella Little from Bear

Honorable Mention: Emily Keulmann from Newark

Teen Category:

First Place: Kamora Jones from Wilmington

Second Place: Jolene Pham from Townsend

Third Place: EJ Egloff from Middletown

Honorable Mention: Alayna Reese from Townsend

Honorable Mention: Cora Brinson from Middletown

Honorable Mention: Alliyah Gallimore-Prado from Wilmington

Honorable Mention: Bella Burgett from Magnolia

Youth Category:

First Place: Izzabella West from Camden

Second Place: Genevieve Dinsmore from Wilmington

Third Place: Sabrina Rambo

Honorable Mention: Christopher Saxton, Jr from Camden

Honorable Mention: Eric Trzcinski from Middletown

Honorable Mention: Natalie Sturgis from Clayton

Honorable Mention: Audrey Sutton from Wilmington

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

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

NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain Partners with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety for 2024 Events

The annual partnership between Chastain and OHS raises awareness for the dangers of driving under the influence.

DOVER, Del. (April 18 2024) — NASCAR driver Ross Chastain and the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) continue their years of partnership to educate Delawareans on the dangers of driving under the influence and to raise awareness for the devastating outcomes that accompany DUI crashes. From April 25 through 27, OHS and Ross will host three community engagement events throughout Kent and Sussex counties, with the hopes that Delawareans join them for autographs, DUI trivia, and other safety activities and discussions. The now-annual partnership highlights Ross’ dedication to ensuring he’s reaching fans and fellow Delawareans, encouraging them to “Use Your Melon” and plan for a sober ride home after drinking.

The “Use Your Melon” campaign aligns with the OHS “Drive Sober, Arrive Alive” messaging, as both raise awareness for the impacts that driving under the influence have on the driver, passengers, loved ones, and Delaware community. By using your melon and considering the repercussions of your actions—in this instance, driving under the influence—you have the power to save a life and ensure that everyone on the road Arrives Alive.

As an eighth-generation watermelon farmer, Ross’ partnership with OHS is natural, creatively aligning OHS’ important safety messaging with his family history and passion for agriculture. OHS and Ross decided to host the first community engagement event at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, inviting Delawareans to discuss driving responsibly while also raising awareness for Delaware’s agricultural history. During the 2024 partnership, Ross and OHS will reach tens of thousands of Delawareans with DUI messaging, encouraging them to make smarter choices on Delaware roadways.

“A single individual’s decision to drive under the influence of alcohol can have a profound impact on multiple lives,” said Sharon Bryson, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “Therefore, we are committed to spreading awareness about road safety and preventing DUI crashes. We are pleased to collaborate with Ross Chastain once again and appreciate his support in making Delaware roads safer for everyone.”

Ross will join OHS for the three community events, where he’ll sign autographs. OHS will have a DUI trivia wheel available at each location, testing people’s knowledge on driving under the influence and providing statistics to help them grasp the impact that DUIs have on Delawareans. Additionally, the Delaware Department of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement’s driving simulator will join some events, showing people what it’s like to drive after having a few drinks. Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will also be present at certain events, joining the OHS crashed car which is used to show Delawareans the results of driving under the influence.

Statistics

Throughout the year, OHS implements the “Drive Sober, Arrive Alive” campaign to educate Delawareans on the dangers and devastating outcomes that accompany driving under the influence. In Delaware, from 2019 to 2023:

There were 5,504 impaired-driving crashes, involving 246 fatalities and 442 serious injuries.
41% of traffic fatalities were related to impaired driving.
Males ages 35 to 44 were involved in the most DUI crashes.
41% of impaired driving crashes occurred on Saturdays and Sundays.
47% of impaired driving crashes occurred between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Impaired drivers put everyone at risk. Impairment starts before 0.08 BAC, but you should never get behind the wheel if you’ve had a drink. If you plan to drink, make sure you have a safe way home.

Community Engagements

Beginning on April 25, Ross Chastain and OHS will appear at three Delaware locations. Delawareans will have the opportunity to meet the NASCAR driver and speak with OHS about the dangers of driving under the influence.

Delaware Agricultural Museum, Dover. April 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Georgetown Speedway, Georgetown. April 26, beginning at 6 p.m.
Grotto Pizza, Dover. April 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Media Contact:
Meghan Niddrie
Meghan.Niddrie@Delaware.gov
302-744-2517 (office)
302-535-1031 (cell)