Thirty-Six Talented State Employees and their Family Members Honored

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

Dover, Del. (March 18, 2019) – The talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their artwork exhibited at the eight annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition sponsored by the National Arts Program® reception and award ceremony held on Sunday, March 17. Featured guests and speakers included the First Lady, Tracey Quillen Carney and Delaware Division of the Arts Deputy Director, Kristin Pleasanton.

Twenty-eight awards were given out 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 four Special Award categories. 2019 Artwork is available on Facebook and reception and award ceremony photos will be available on Flickr at the end of the week.

Below is a list of all award winners who were recognized at the 2019 reception and awards ceremony.

2019 National Arts Program Award Winners

Best of Show: Stephanie Silverman, Wilmington
People’s Choice Award (Facebook): Parker Ellis, age 6, Newark
People’s Choice Award (Ballot): Madison Barbuto, age 9, Camden
Art Education Award: Brandi Nichols, age 18, Magnolia

Stephanie Silverman, “Submerged,” Works on Paper, Wilmington

Special Awards

Special Award, Animals: Jocelyn Zonick, age 17, Newark
Special Award, Abstract: Michael Fleishman, Milford
Special Award, Landscape: Anthony Burton, Camden
Special Award, Monochromatic: Justyn Foth, Viola

Justyn Foth, “Waiting,” Viola

Professional

1st Place: Robert Palandrani, Wilmington
2nd Place: Chad Cortez Everett, Landenberg, PA
3rd Place: David Huynh, Odessa

Honorable Mentions:
Suzanne Oliver, Wilmington
Shelley Koon, Dover
Daniel Faison, Newark

Robert Palandrani, “Drawing with Abstract Assem.,” Mixed Media, Wilmington

Intermediate

1st Place: Owen Napier, Wilmington
2nd Place: Bruce Wyngaard, Wilmington
3rd Place: Jacqueline Carmean, Milford

Honorable Mentions:
Brian VanDrunen, Harbeson
Rick Burrow, Camden Wyoming

Owen Napier, “Untitled,” Mixed Media, Wilmington

Amateur

1st Place: Dominick Giroso, Felton
2nd Place: Nicole Brown, Felton
3rd Place: Kathy Joseph, Woodside

Honorable Mentions:
Briana Rodriguez, Townsend
Jake Mottola, Wilmington

Dominick Giroso, “SEAcrets,” Sculpture, Fention

Teen (13-18 years old)

1st Place: Emily Torres, age 17, Middletown
2nd Place: Sara Paulish, age 16, Dover
3rd Place: Cathryn Shahan, age 18, Clayton

Honorable Mentions:
Emily Egloff, age 14, Middletown
Allyson Johnson, age 13, Ocean View
Jahsiah Sealy, age 14, Bear

Emily Torres, “Bus,” Works on Paper, Middletown

Youth (12 years and under)

1st Place: Caleb Fenton, age 10, Middletown
2nd Place: Elizabeth Dierkes, age 9, Clayton
3rd Place: Mia Ericksen, age 10, Smyrna

Honorable Mentions:
Liliana Gatti, age 7, Wyoming
Lillette Hastings, age 11, Millsboro
Maggie Wieber, age 8, Marydel

Caleb Fenton, “The Beef Boss,” Works on Paper, Middletown

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 must 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. View last year’s participant artwork.

More information

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov


Delaware launches hemp research pilot program

Close up of two hemp plants in a whole field of hemp.Dover, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that they have launched the Delaware Hemp Research Pilot Program in partnership with Delaware State University’s College of Agriculture and Related Sciences.

“The research component announced today gives producers an opportunity to see if hemp is a worthwhile product for their farming operation,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “The program also allows our research institutions to determine which hemp varieties will perform well for producing fiber and CBD oil in Delaware – two products in high demand that could further diversify Delaware farming operations.”

The purpose of the Hemp Research Pilot Program, established under section 7606 of the 2014 Farm Bill and Delaware Senate Bill 266, is to explore an alternative to the traditional row crops grown in Delaware. The legislation authorizes growers to work with permitted institutions of higher education to gain knowledge of any aspect of hemp cultivation, harvesting, processing, marketing, or transportation of hemp for agricultural, industrial, or commercial purposes.

For the 2019 growing season, a grower must be approved and authorized by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and affiliated with Delaware State University to grow hemp for research as approved by USDA. Production of hemp for research purposes is limited to 10 acres per approved operation. Hemp may not be grown in Delaware for general commercial activity, only as part of a research program; however, growers participating in the program will be allowed to sell their crop if all research requirements are met.

Individuals interested in being part of the Delaware Hemp Research Pilot Program for 2019, should visit https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/hemp-program for more detailed information and applications.

The Department’s long-term goal is to establish a permanent program for hemp production to provide additional opportunities for growers to diversify, along with developing products that will support other agricultural industries.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

 


The Division of the Arts to Host Annual State Employee Art Exhibition

More than 270 state employees and their family members have registered to show artwork at Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery

Dover, Del. (February 5, 2019) – The free exhibition will be open to the public from February 25 to March 18, 2019 at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University, Dover. The reception and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m. in the Longwood Auditorium, Bank of America Building at Delaware State University. Prizes to be awarded include:

  • Adult, Amateur, Intermediate and Professional: 3 – First Place Awards of $350; 3 – Second Place Awards of $250; and 3 – Third Place Awards of $150
  • Youth / Teen: 2 – First Place Awards of $150; 2- Second Place Awards of $100; and 2 – Third Place Awards of $50
  • A Best of Show Award of $400
  • 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 must 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. View last year’s participant artwork.

Gallery Hours

Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 3/2 and 3/9 from noon to 4 p.m. Visitor information

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov


LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY: Governor Carney Signs Bill Strengthening Inspire Scholarship

Law allows Delaware State University students to apply for four years of Inspire Scholarships

DOVER, Del. – Joined by members of the General Assembly, educators from Delaware State University, and Delaware State University (DSU) students, Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 90 into law on Saturday. The new law strengthens the Inspire Scholarship program, which offers scholarship assistance for qualifying Delaware high school students to attend Delaware State University.

Senator Brian Bushweller, Representative Stephanie Bolden, and Representative Sean Lynn sponsored the legislation.

The Inspire Scholarship aims to attract achieved Delaware high school graduates to DSU. The new law extends the scholarship program to eight continuous semesters – from six – allowing eligible students to benefit from the program throughout their college career. Some 1,700 students have already benefitted from this program, and returned over 100,000 hours in community service to Delaware.

“The goal of the Inspire Scholarship is to keep Delaware’s best and brightest here learning and growing in our state,” said Governor Carney. “By extending the length of the Inspire Scholarship, we will attract more talented Delawareans to apply for this scholarship, to learn from the incredible faculty at Delaware State University, and to be compelled to stay and succeed in Delaware after graduation.”

“Senate Bill 90 brings to full fruition the Inspire Scholarship at Delaware State University, which was originally sponsored by former State Representative Darryl Scott and myself,” said Senator Bushweller. “The Inspire Scholarship invests in our future by keeping some of our brightest students in Delaware, helping them enter the workforce with low debt or no debt, and making it likelier that they make up the backbone of our economy over the long run. This sort of investment doesn’t just help kids go to college — it’s key to growth in our local economy and the middle class.”

“The Inspire Scholarship Program has helped hundreds of Delaware students – many of whom are first-generation college students – attain a strong, quality education. I am so proud to see this program expand so that students will continue to have the tuition help as they complete their degrees. It is an investment that will prepare them for a bright, successful future,” said Representative Bolden. “It was so energizing to be present with Governor Carney as he signed this legislation at Delaware State University’s 132nd Commencement, and I am excited to see the new opportunities this program will give students. These students are Delaware’s future.”

“By fully investing in the Inspire Scholarship Program we are empowering Delaware students and supporting them as they pursue their dreams,” said Representative Lynn. “This tuition help is a vital pathway to many students, and will help them post-graduation and beyond.”

“If a Delaware student wants equitable access to a comprehensive degree granting University and the greatest diversity of fellow students, faculty and staff in the region, then Delaware State University is already the best value for them,” said Dr. Tony Allen, Executive Vice President and Provost, Delaware State University. “Adding the fourth year of Inspire makes that value a game changer, ensuring their financial stability during their critical senior year and further promoting our commitment to scholarship and service throughout Delaware communities.”

Read an op-ed from Dr. Wilma Mishoe, Acting President of Delaware State University, on the importance of the Inspire Scholarship.

View more details about Legislative Advisory #26, and all legislation signed by the Governor on his Legislative Advisories page.

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U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper celebrates “Delaware Arbor Day” at Dover Air Force Base

DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper joined public officials and schoolchildren to observe “Delaware Arbor Day” at Dover Air Force Base, which celebrated its 25th Year as a Tree City USA. The last Friday in April is commemorated as Arbor Day in the First State, an occasion to encourage tree planting and highlight the numerous benefits that trees provide: cleaner air and water, natural beauty, valuable wood products and food, reduced storm water runoff, and improved property values. The ceremony also honored the winners of the Delaware Forest Service’s annual school poster contest and included a ceremonial tree planting of an American holly (Ilex opaca), Delaware’s state tree. Alaina Stecher, a fifth-grader at Christ the Teacher School in Newark, is the statewide winner of the Delaware Forest Service’s annual Arbor Day School Poster Contest. This year’s theme was “Trees are terrific… from acorn to oak!”  The complete gallery of winning posters (with links to hi-res images) is at http://delawaretrees.com/2017arbordaypostercontest

Established by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, it is estimated that one million trees were planted on the very first Arbor Day.

Additional photos of the event can be found at the Delaware Forest Service’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/delforestservice.

 

The annual school poster contest is open to all K-5 public, private, and charter schools as well as other organized youth groups and after-school programs. A total of 126 classrooms from 40 schools participated in this year’s contest, with 3,647 students creating original posters. Winners were selected from each county in the following grade categories: K, 1 & 2, 3 & 4, and 5. Judging criteria were: originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a tree-themed book and a print reproduction of their poster on fine art canvas. Thanks to corporate sponsor Delmarva Power, a free tree planting ceremony will also be held at each winner’s school. In addition, every participating classroom receives free pine seedlings for all participants. This year, students from the Middletown High School FFA Chapter and senior volunteers from the Modern Maturity Center in Dover wrapped thousands of seedlings for schoolchildren statewide.

This year’s poster contest winners were:

New Castle County

Kindergarten: Emily Najera  — Robert S. Gallaher  Elementary, Newark

Grades 1-2: Amy Tang — Jennie Smith Elementary, New Castle

Grades 3-4: John Chacko —  Christ the Teacher School, Newark

Grade 5:  Alaina Stecher  — Christ the Teacher School, Newark

Kent County

Kindergarten Audriana Bourne  — Major George Welch Elementary, Dover

Grades 1-2: Isabelle Kim —   WB Simpson Elementary, Wyoming

Grade 3-4: Haley Holderman— WB Simpson Elementary, Wyoming

Grade 5: Hailey McCutchan —  Clayton Intermediate School, Clayton

Sussex County

Kindergarten: Maryia Dorakhava —  Rehoboth Elementary, Rehoboth

Grades 1-2: Shannon Scudder —  Lord Baltimore Elementary, Ocean View

Grades 3-4: Amelia Meyer —  Southern Delaware School of Arts, Selbyville

Grade 5: Samuel Winston  —  Winston Learning Academy, Milford