On view from April 1-29, 2022

Wilmington, Del. (March 30, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents artist Mia Muratori’s exhibition, Painting in the Presence of Change, running April 1 through 29, 2022. Her exhibit will also be part of Art Loop Wilmington — the monthly self-guided tour of art in and around the city. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception to be held Friday, April 1, from 5-7 p.m.

Muratori is an abstract creator, named a 2022 Established DDOA Fellow in the discipline of Painting. Born in Germany, she has lived and worked in both New York City and Los Angeles. Muratori earned her Master of Fine Arts from the University of Delaware in 1996 and moved to Delaware permanently in 1998.

She knew she wanted to be an artist from the age of 6. And, even though she’s worked in high-profile environments like Wall Street, Muratori has always incorporated some form of artwork into her world. She began her artistic endeavors in clay media, switching to painting around 2001.

Her current work — a mix of media including oils and encaustics — reflects her day-to-day experiences but also illustrates what she sees in the psycho-socio-politico-metaphysical world.

Muratori says she’s invested in capturing both the familiar and non-ordinary. “…that which is seen with the third eye, neurological imagery,” she says. She finds it most rewarding to visually capture thoughts, emotions, the zeitgeist: “…recording essences of persons, things, places, space and time.”

“I create to make something visually arresting, satisfying, and meaningful to myself and to others,” she says. “Making thoughts visible and the workings of the mind is what I find most compelling.”

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 Credit: VIGILANT, Acrylic Charcoal Ink/Paper, 36”x 48”, 2021.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Community Engagement
302-577-8282, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

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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.

Division of the Arts announces award-winning artists
in its annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition

Dover, Del. (March 14. 2022) – The talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their artwork exhibited at the eleventh annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition sponsored by the National Arts Program^®.

Twenty-nine awards totaling $3,250 in cash prizes were awarded in five categories–Professional, Intermediate, Amateur, Teen (13-18 years old), and Youth (12 years and under). Other distinguished awards included the Best of Show Award, two People’s Choice Awards (calculated by most number of “likes” on Facebook and entries by email and in-person ballot votes at the Gallery), Art Education Award (up to $200 reimbursement for arts instruction and materials), and three Special Award categories. 2022 Artwork can be viewed on Facebook and Flickr.

The artwork pick-up schedule for this week is at the Delaware State University Arts Center/Gallery from March 15 to 19 (no sign up required). Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 12 to 4 p.m.

If there are any changes to the pick-up schedule, the Division will also post any information on our website, arts.delaware.gov, and the Arts Center/Gallery will have recorded messages on its voicemail at 302-857-6697.

Below is a list of all award winners:

2022 National Arts Program Award Winners

Best of Show: Charlese Phillips, Intermediate, Michaela Coel, Mixed Media, Smyrna

People’s Choice Award (Facebook): Chase Puszkarczuk, Teen, Utley, Painting, Wilmington

People’s Choice Award (Ballot): Malcom Allen, Amateur, Expensive Pain, Painting, Newark

Art Education Award: Devin Void, age 8, Youth, Myles the Panda, Works on Paper, Middletown

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Special Awards:

          Animal: Lisa Loikith, Intermediate, Pittie Memorial, Painting, Claymont

          Landscape: Drew Johnson, Professional, Herring Point, Painting, Lewes

Portrait: Maia Palmer, Professional, A New Role Model, Painting, Wilmington

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Professional:

1st Place: Joseph Arsenault, Hell Hounds, Painting, Rehoboth

2nd Place: Cristen Hess, Fragmented Torso, Sculpture, Newark

3rd Place: Thomas Del Porte, Give and Take, Painting, Wilmington

Honorable Mentions:

           Cindy Morris, The Wind of Uncertainty, Painting, Hockessin

Michael Fleishman, A Bunch of Spare Parts, Sculpture, Milford

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Intermediate:

1^st Place: Lisa Morgan, Riveted, Mixed Media, Middletown

2^nd Place: Luis Rios Fontanez, The Hunt for Moby-Dick, Craft, Dover

3^rd Place: David Wolanski, Hope, Photography, Dover

Honorable Mentions:

          Elizabeth Yocher, Reach, Works on Paper, Dover

Kelly Ewing, Beehive, Photography, Newark

Laxmi Verma, The GENESIS, Mixed Media, Wilmington

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Amateur:                   

1^st Place: Vittorio Ferrato, Fantasia Numero 1, Mixed Media, Wilmington

2^nd Place: Stephen Beitel, Neptune’s Horse, Sculpture, Dagsboro

3^rd Place: Kelly McMillan Whitaker, Crofter’s Pride, Photography, Newark

Honorable Mentions:

          John Mayer, Neuschwanstein, Craft, Wilmington

Jamie Ahlers, Man’s Best Friend, Photography, Wilmington

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Teen (13-18 years old):

1^st Place: Elizabeth Chen, age 17, Cottagecore, Painting, Middletown

2^nd Place: Sophie Rissmiller, age 15, Road Hog, Painting, Coatesville, PA

3^rd Place: Cameron Wright, age 17, I am not a Triangle, Craft, New Castle

Honorable Mentions:

           Ashley Konkle, age 17, Mirrors, Works on Paper, New Castle

Kieara Hill, age 16, Delusional Lockdown, Works on Paper, Townsend

Chloe Hannah, age 17, Delphine, Painting, Frederica

Lelia Sturtevant, age 16, Brown-eyed Girl, Works on Paper, Middletown

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Youth (12 years and under):

1^st Place: Lawson Ellis, age 6, My Buddy and Me, Works on Paper, Newark

2^nd Place: Elizabeth Dierkes, age 12, Night Terror, Photography, Clayton

3^rd Place: Adhya Sharma, age 8, Turtle’s Vision, Painting, Bear

Honorable Mentions:

          Camryn Murani, age 6, Unicorn Mermaid Kitty, Works on Paper, Smyrna

Quinton Hattley, age 11, A View from the Top, Painting, New Castle

Scott Honisch, age 12, The Core of a Hymnal, Works on Paper, Wilmington

 

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 arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Community Engagement
302-577-8282, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

For arts programming and projects taking place during
fiscal year 2023 (September 2022 – August 2023)

Wilmington, Del. (January 11, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts has opened its annual online application process for grants for arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2023 (September 2022 – August 2023). Applications will be submitted through the smARTDE online system and are due by 4:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

New to smARTDE? View the login instructions for smARTDE and watch the 30-minute demonstration video.

The guidelines for all grant programs are available online at arts.delaware.gov/grant-overview/. Past and new applicants should read the guidelines carefully and call Division staff with any questions. A list of the Division staff members who manage the grants process, including their responsibilities and contact information, is available at the end of this release.

Below are all of the Division’s grants programs and their respective deadlines. Please visit arts.delaware.gov/grant-overview/ to access the full guidelines for each program and a description of the grant review process. Some organizational grants are available throughout the year on a rolling deadline basis. Please see the list below for more details.

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Grants for Delaware Arts Organizations:

General Operating Support (GOS) – support of annual operating expenses to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Delaware. This grant category utilizes a three-year application cycle. Full applications are due every three years, with Interim Applications due in the “off” years. Annual March 1 deadline.

Arts Stabilization Fund (ASF) – support for improvements to facilities owned (or under long-term lease) and operated by the organization. ASF grants are funded through the Division’s participation in the Arts Consortium of Delaware, Inc. (ArtCo) endowment. Annual March 1 deadline.

Education Resource (EDR) – grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators. Annual March 1 deadline.

StartUp – financial support, training and consultation to develop and strengthen the management capacity of emerging arts organizations so that they can operate in a sustainable manner. Completion of the StartUp program is a prerequisite for emerging organizations seeking General Operating Support. Letter of intent due January 31. Annual March 1 deadline.

Arts Access – provides up to $1,000 to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Rolling deadline.

Grants for Delaware Community-Based Organizations (CBOs):

Project Support – support of arts programs provided by CBOs that assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment by encouraging the continued development of arts activities in communities throughout the state. College and university projects must be non-credit and serve the general community. Annual March 1 deadline.

Arts Access – provide up to $1,000 to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Rolling deadline.

Grants for Delaware Schools and School Districts:

Note: Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and how it will affect Delaware schools during the 2021-2022 school year, TranspARTation grants will not be available this school year. Artist residency applicants are encouraged to have a virtual learning backup option in place as an alternative to in-person learning projects if needed.

Artist Residency – grants for residencies with visual, literary, performing or media artists working with students in the classroom or in professional development workshops with teachers. Rolling deadline.

Education Resource (EDR) – grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators. Annual March 1 deadline.

TranspARTation – grants that support transportation costs for schools to travel to Delaware arts and cultural institutions and venues in order for students to attend arts performances, events and exhibits. Not available this school year.

Grants for Delaware Individual Artists:

Artist Fellowship – support of individual artists in their work as visual, performing, media, folk, and/or literary artists. Download the smARTDE Instructions to learn how to log in and navigate within the new system. Application opens Spring 2022. August 1 deadline.

Artist Opportunity Grant – support of individual artists with unique professional and artistic development or presentation opportunities. Quarterly deadlines.

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Image: 2018 Award Winners exhibition at the Biggs Museum of American Arts Painting by Thomas Del Porte, 2018 Established Professional, Visual Arts: Painting.

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Contact: Kaitlin Ammon, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, kaitlin.ammon@delaware.gov

On view June 4-July 30, 2021

Wilmington, Del. (May 26, 2021) – The Journey, an exhibition of watercolor paintings by Howard J. Eberle, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from June 4-July 30, 2021. Eberle is the recipient of a 2021 Artist Fellowship in Painting from the Delaware Division of the Arts.

The majority of works in this exhibition span his journey of the last decade of a professional career that has lasted over 25 years. Included are award-winning paintings that have been exhibited in public museums in the USA and abroad.

Eberle describes himself as a portrait painter of objects. He is drawn to the peeled paint of an old barn, the rusty patina of an anchor, or the weathered wood on an old workboat. He carefully balances his compositions and eliminates some details that might distract the eye.

“I am greatly influenced by the Zen principal of kanso, and in my paintings keep only what is necessary to allow more space for quiet moments of contemplation. Through composition I strive to eliminate clutter in favor of simplicity.” – Howard J. Eberle

The paintings are transparent watercolor using a drybrush technique which enables him to achieve realistic, fine detail not typical of this medium.

Image in banner: Skiff, 2016, transparent watercolor, 11 x 30 inches

The Mezzanine Gallery is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. Visitors must wear face coverings and maintain 3 feet distance from other individuals not in their household.

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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.

On view through February 26, 2021
Visit the Gallery in-person or view it online

Wilmington, Del. (February 3, 2021) –Anamnesis, an exhibition of photography by Bronwen Hazlett, is on view in the Mezzanine Gallery through February 26, 2021. Hazlett, a fine art photographer based in Clayton, is fluent in digital and analog photographic processes. Inspired by an early nomadic journey in life, Hazlett explores concepts of home, place, memory, and self-healing.

Hazlett composes images directly to film to replicate the experience of memory. Memories are stored in disparate parts of our brain and when recalled, the experience is reassembled like a puzzle. Anamnesis is the act of remembrance of the past or recollected ideas which the soul had known in a previous existence.

Hazlett creates this work using film in a 120mm Diana F+ camera, a plastic-bodied toy camera dating to the 1960s. She likes these cameras because she can advance the film as she wishes, and for their artistic effects. Hazlett processes the film in her darkroom and then scans the images and prints them on glossy paper.

“The many layers of memory are reassembled and become vulnerable to change,” Hazlett said. “Our present experiences and emotions perpetually recompose, overlap, and shift our memories as time passes.”

Similarly, her photographs are constructed by shifting and overlapping multiple views of the same image. The photographs are finished with haikus hand-written on the bottom of her images to document her memories associated with an image.

Image: Shallow Roots, 2018, photography (in-camera film photomontage), 26 x 11 inches