DOVER, DE – The state’s Division of Small Business (DSB) is partnering with the Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide additional support to small business owners seeking loans from a federal program that DSB oversees in Delaware. DSB has given the SBDC $675,423 in funding to provide Technical Assistance to small business owners for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). SSBCI is a federal program aimed at supporting both small and early-stage businesses who are having challenges obtaining a traditional bank loan, as well as those that are owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons.

“We selected the SBDC to receive these technical assistance funds because they are uniquely qualified to broaden our reach to small business owners and provide intense individual support to them,” said DSB Director Regina Mitchell. “We are looking forward to seeing this program grow rapidly and getting more funding in the hands of entrepreneurs who need a little extra help to start or grow their business.”

In early 2023, Delaware was awarded $60.9 million from the U.S. Treasury Department to be used over a 10-year period. DSB is distributing the funding across four programs; two of which support small business loans: the Delaware Loan Participation Program (DELPP), and the Delaware Capital Access Program (DCAP).

SBDC will use its Technical Assistance funding to work one-on-one with small business owners and get them better prepared, and in a stronger position to qualify for one of the loan programs.

“Delaware SBDC is committed to helping entrepreneurs gain access to funding through one-on-one technical advising and trainings, emphasizing the importance of understanding financials, accounting best practices, and common legal requirements. We are looking forward to creating access to a program that supports Delaware’s small and/or socially and economically disadvantaged businesses,” noted Sarah Mailloux, SBDC Associate State Director.

DSB and SBDC are co-hosting a webinar for small business owners about the SSBCI loan programs on April 30, from 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Register for the webinar at: State’s Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Information Session (delawaresbdc.org). Participating program lenders Del-One Federal Credit Union and True Access Capital will also provide information about their roles.

Under the SSBCI initiative, small business owners will meet with one of DSB’s Regional Business Managers to review the loan programs. Based on each owner’s individual situation, they will either be provided a list of our participating lenders to connect with directly, or they will be referred to the SBDC for additional assistance.

More information about the SSBCI program can be found at de.gov/ssbci.

Are you looking to start or grow your own small business? Check out DSB’s free services, programs, and funding opportunities at business.delaware.gov. Not sure where to start or go next? Connect with one of our four Regional Business Managers listed on the DSB homepage today!

###

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.

 

###

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

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

###

 

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.

 

Wilmington, Del. (April 1, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents E. Schwinn’s exhibition, “Within the Intimate Realm,” on view from April 5-26, 2024. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, April 5 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Schwinn creates patterned collages that incorporate found images, saved fragments, half-finished drawings, abandoned paintings, and collected patterns. Each piece is a gathering of elements that allows her to discover an interior world, coalescing into a type of psychological portrait. Schwinn’s patterns unify the piece but also hide and obscure parts from view.

Schwinn is interested in how we collect experiences and memories and internalize, connect and grow them into a sense of self. The artist explains, “My work is an exploration of identity, how we as humans construct our identities and reveal and hide parts of ourselves. The collages hold clues that can suggest narratives and entice you deeper into trying to understand the meaning, but at the same time, the patterns frequently screen or cover parts of the imagery. For me the work is a metaphor for the process we go through as humans to develop and hide ourselves.”

Schwinn’s personal language has been influenced by both “outsider” art and surrealist processes for tapping into the unconscious mind. She combines fine art composition with patterns, craft materials, and magazines to create pretty images with things hidden below the surface.

Schwinn lives and works in Wilmington. She is also a teaching artist who works with students from preschool aged to older adults. Schwinn holds a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a MFA in Painting from the University of Texas at Austin. Read her Delaware Artist Roster profile.

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.

Images in the banner: I wanted to transform into the place between the sky and moon, 2023, collage and mixed media on paper, 10.5” x 13.5”

 

###

 

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.

New lobby exhibit celebrates “things that aren’t there anymore”

Do you remember rocking at the Stone Balloon; enjoying a muskrat meal at The Wagon Wheel; or having a shopping spree at Wanamaker’s?  If you don’t the Delaware Public Archives does.
Starting in April 2024, the DPA will kick off a celebration and remembrance of things that aren’t there anymore with a new exhibit in their Lobby Galleries, “Memory Lane”.

The exhibit contains 75 rare newly digital and restored photos of things, events, and places in The First State that no longer exist including beloved businesses, restaurants, theaters, festivals, and parks. Visitors to the Lobby Galleries at the Archives can view a five-minute informative video, read additional interesting historical facts, and receive a free 16-page full-color booklet packed with photos and First State trivia.

“This new exhibit shares images of things like Gino’s Hamburgers, S & H Green Stamps, Wilmington Dry Goods, and the Delaware landmark, The Dinner Bell Inn,” said Stephen Marz, State Archivist and Delaware Public Archives Director. “For most of us longer-term Delawareans, these may be distant memories, but with this exhibit, we hope to trigger some long-forgotten fond memories with their nostalgic look at times gone by, and to share the stories of these “local legends” with our newer residents.”

This new “Memory Lane” exhibit is based on the extremely popular Delaware Public Archives social media feature of the same name found on the DPA’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Dover, DE 19901, and is open from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

To view/download a copy of the booklet, click here.

Find out more about the Delaware Public Archives here.