Thirty-four talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their art work exhibited at the sixth annual National Arts Program®: Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition reception and awards ceremony held on Saturday, March 4. Featured speakers included the Honorable Secretary of State, Jeffrey W. Bullock and Delaware Division of the Arts Director, Paul Weagraff.

“It’s always refreshing to see our state employees in a new light, putting their talents on display and showing us a side of themselves that we don’t normally see in the workplace,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey W. Bullock. “I look forward to this art exhibition every year and I’m proud to be able to support and recognize the artistic accomplishments of these employees and their families.”

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 in Show Award, People’s Choice Award (calculated by most number of “likes” on Facebook), Art Education Award (up to $200 reimbursement for arts instruction and materials), and four new Special Award categories.

Sixteen cash prizes totaling $3,250, 13 Honorable Mention ribbons, and four Special Award ribbons were awarded. Below is a list of all award winners who were recognized at the 2017 reception and awards ceremony.

Images of the artwork and reception & awards ceremony can be found on Flickr. The exhibition is open at the Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery until March 13.

2017 National Arts Program Award Winners

Best of Show: Shari Dierkes, Clayton
People’s Choice Award: Harshana Sundaravelu, Middletown
Art Education Award: Harshana Sundaravelu, Middletown

Professional:

• 1st Place: Gregory Thompson, Wilmington
• 2nd Place: Derek Carlson, Dover
• 3rd Place: Alexandra Thomas, Bear
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Chris Green, Altus, OK
  • Carolyn Zwaskis, Wilmington

Intermediate:

• 1st Place: Willow Quillen, Wilmington
• 2nd Place: Matthew Mathias, Newark
• 3rd Place: Thomas Gears, Wilmington
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Dorothy May, Wilmington
  • Kristin McKenica, Wilmington

Amateur:

• 1st Place: Lina Romano, Wilmington
• 2nd Place: Lianmarie Colon, New Castle
• 3rd Place: Nancy Cooper, Newark
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Shelly Alioa, Dover
  • Christopher Deming, Milton

Teen (13-18 years old):

• 1st Place: Emily Torres, age 15, Middletown
• 2nd Place: Robin Land, age 14, Newark
• 3rd Place: Abigail Bucklin, age 15, Rehoboth Beach
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Tatiana Gault, age 17, Georgetown
  • James Stokes, age 15, Newark

Youth (12 years and under):

• 1st Place: Kieran Dallas, age 7, Newark
• 2nd Place: Lenore Duprey, age 5, Wilmington
• 3rd Place: Montana Johannsen, age 9, Clayton
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Beth Chen, age 12, Middletown
  • Terri Crawford, age 12, Dover
  • Kimberly Czepukaitis, age 12, Dover
  • Piper Drace, age 10, Seaford
  • Mia Ericksen, age 8, Smyrna

Special Awards

• Landscape: Barry Eli, Lewes
• Abstract: Amber Scott, Wyoming
• Land Animal: John Waters, Camden
• Sea Creature: Miles Pleasanton, Camden

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

WHAT: This program is designed to give Delaware state employees and their families, at any skill level, a unique opportunity to exhibit their artwork and to compete for cash prizes. New this year: increases to the cash awards as well as additional judges’ choice and special recognition awards. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Photos are allowed in the Gallery.

WHEN: February 20 – March 13, 2017. Gallery Hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri 9:00am – 3:30pm; Tues, Wed 9:00am – 6:00pm; Sat (2/25/17 and 3/11/17) 12:00pm – 4:00pm

WHERE: Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery, 1200 N. DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901, 302.857.6697. Click here for directions

WHO: Over 225 pieces will be displayed at the sixth annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition sponsored by The National Arts Program ®. Participants must be a current employee, or immediate family member of a current employee (parent, spouse, sibling, or child), of the State of Delaware (participating group members are also eligible).

The reception and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 1 to 3 pm in the Bank of America Building auditorium. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served prior to the ceremony. Speakers will include the Honorable Jeffrey W. Bullock, secretary of state and Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts.

OTHER: Make sure to tag us on Facebook or Twitter when you visit the Gallery at @ArtsDelaware.

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 artsdel.org or call 302-577-8278.

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

STATE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AWARDED HONORS FOR THE NATIONAL ARTS PROGRAM^®: DELAWARE STATE EMPLOYEE ART EXHIBITION

Twenty-eight talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their art work featured in the fifth annual, National Arts Program^®: Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition. The reception and awards ceremony was held at the Delaware State University Arts Center/Gallery on Saturday, March 12, and featured speakers including, Chief Deputy Secretary of State, Richard J. Geisenberger and Delaware Division of the Arts Deputy Director, Kristin Pleasanton.

“This program provides state employees and their family members with an opportunity to show a side that we don’t normally see in the workplace. It clearly demonstrates the range of talented individuals who are working for the state of Delaware,” said Chief Deputy Secretary Geisenberger. “We’re proud to be able to support and recognize the artistic accomplishments of these employees and their families.”

Twenty-eight awards were given out in five categories – Professional, Intermediate, Amateur, Teen (13-18 years old), and Youth (12 years and under), People’s Choice Award (calculated by most number of “likes” on Facebook), culminating in one Best in Show. Seventeen cash prizes totaling $2,600 and 10 Honorable Mention ribbons were awarded. Below is a list of all award winners who were recognized at the reception and awards ceremony.

Images of the artwork and reception & awards ceremony can be found on Flickr.

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2016 National Arts Program Award Winners

 

Best of Show: Luis Rios Fontanez, Dover

People’s Choice Award: Lindsay Mical, Middletown

Arts Education Award: Christopher Volkomer, Frederica

 

Professional:

1st Place: Derek Carlson, Dover

2nd Place: Shawn Faust, Bear

3rd Place: Jason Weaver, Middletown

 Honorable Mentions: Mark Blome, West Grove, PA & William Cox, Wyoming                                                   

 

Intermediate:

1^st Place: Alexandra Duprey, Wilmington

2^nd Place: Bethany Krumrine, Magnolia

3^rd Place: Brian Protack, Greenwood

Honorable Mentions: Melanie Ferrin, Hartly & Leslie Snowdon-Jones, Lewes

 

Amateur:                    

1^st Place: Nancy E. Cooper, Newark

2^nd Place: Dominick Giroso, Felton

3^rd Place: Allison Banbury, Perryville, MD

Honorable Mentions: Elizabeth Lucas, Middletown & Gary Piel, Ocean View

 

Teen (13-18 years old):

1^st Place: Alethia Hicks, age 17, Bear

2^nd Place: Samantha Greim, age 18, Smyrna

3^rd Place: Luana Spalluto, age 15, Dover

Honorable Mentions: Wyatt McMullen, age 13, Middletown & Maylene Ferrin, age 16, Hartly

 

Youth (12 years and under):

1^st Place: Jason Klein, age 10, Landenburg, PA

2^nd Place:  Weston Williams, age 11, Felton

3^rd Place: Brooke Boileau, age 11, Middletown

Honorable Mentions: Sydne Jenkins, age 12, Magnolia  & Maxwell Ferrell, age 6, 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 artsdel.org or call 302-577-8278.

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

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Twenty-one talented state employees and their family members will be recognized for their works of art featured in the National Arts Program®: Delaware State Employee Exhibition and Contest IV. In addition, one People’s Choice Award winner will be selected through a Facebook contest. The Awards Show and Closing Reception will be held at Delaware State University’s Arts Center/Gallery on March 14, 2015, 1-3 p.m. Secretary of State Jeffrey W. Bullock and Division of the Arts Deputy Director Kristin Pleasanton will preside at the Awards Ceremony.

“This program provides state employees and their family members with an opportunity to show a side that we don’t normally see in the workplace. It clearly demonstrates the range of talented individuals who are working for the state of Delaware,” said Secretary Bullock. “We’re proud to be able to support and recognize the artistic accomplishments of these employees and their families.”

Twenty-one awards will be given out in five categories – Professional, Intermediate, Amateur, Teen (13-18 years old), and Youth (12 years and under), culminating in one Best in Show. Sixteen cash prizes totaling $2,400 will be awarded by the National Arts Program®. Five Honorable Mention ribbons will also be awarded. Below is a list of all award winners who will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony and Closing Reception.

Two hundred thirty-five employees of Delaware state agencies and their immediate family members submitted artwork for the 2015 exhibition and contest. The participating artists came from across the state and region. Judges for the contest were Rosemary Connelly, artist and educator; Jennifer Gunther, Director of DSU Arts Center/Gallery; and James Ulry, artist and educator.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to be the local sponsor of The National Arts Program®, an organization established in 1982 to identify, showcase, and reward the visual artistic talent in America. The National Arts Program® currently sponsors 82 annual programs, encompassing more than 450 cities and counties within 38 states.

The exhibition will be on view in the Arts Center/Gallery at Delaware State University through March 14. The Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 7, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Vote for your favorites! To view a complete set of all 235 art works, visit the Division’s Facebook page or view the artwork on Flickr. The image with the most likes on Facebook will be named the “People’s Choice” and recognized at the Awards Show and Closing Reception.

View all juried winner images here.

Best in Show:
Stephanie Berry, Dover
Department: Capital School District, Art Teacher

Professional:
1st Place:
Adam Ledford, Philadelphia, PA
Department: Special Education, Teacher (Immediate Family Member)

2nd Place:
Gregory Thompson, Wilmington
Department: Red Clay School District, Teacher

3rd Place:
Jennifer Boland, Harrington
Department: Education, Art Educator

Honorable Mention:
William Cox, Wyoming
Department: Health and Social Services (Immediate Family Member)

Intermediate:
1st Place:
Mark Blome, West Grove, PA
Department: Labor, Office of Anti-Discrimination (Immediate Family Member)

2nd Place:
Suzanne Oliver, Wilmington
Department: Technology and Information, Project Management Team

3rd Place:
John Fitzgerald, Claymont
Department: New Castle County Vocational Technical School District

Honorable Mention:
William Montgomery, Wilmington
Department: Delaware Supreme Court, Court Administrator

Amateur:
1st Place:
Sandi Carney, Dover
Department: Health and Social Services

2nd Place:
Jennifer Jurczak, Dover
Department: Labor, Business Services Representative

3rd Place:
Elizabeth Lucas, Middletown
Department: Education, Speech Language Therapist

Honorable Mention:
Gary Piel, Oceanview
Department: Corrections, Correctional Officer

Teen:
1st Place:
Leah Martin, age 17, Dover
Department: Education, Star Hill School Nurse (Immediate Family Member)

2nd Place:
Samantha Greim, age 17, Smyrna
Department: North Star Elementary Library (Immediate Family Member)

3rd Place:
Hayley Schuster, age 18, Dover
Department: Caesar Rodney School District (Immediate Family Member)

Honorable Mention:
Willow Quillen, age 18, Lewes
Department: Education, Automotive Instructor (Immediate Family Member)

Youth:
1st Place:
Caroline Dooley, age 8, Wilmington
Department: Delaware Transit Corporation (Immediate Family Member)

2nd Place:
Skyler Ditizio, age11, Smyrna
Department: Labor Unemployment, Claims Interviewer (Immediate Family Member)

3rd Place:
Max Kichline, age 12, Georgetown
Department: Public Health, Trainer/Educator (Immediate Family Member)

Honorable Mention:
Alex Krumrine, age 6, Magnolia
Department: Natural Resources and Environmental Control (Immediate Family Member)

Close to three hundred talented Delaware state employees and their family members registered to exhibit works of art for the National Arts Program®: Delaware State Employee Exhibition and Contest IV. This year’s exhibit will be held from February 23 – March 14, 2015 at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University in Dover. The Gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays (2/28/15 and 3/7/15) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Sponsored by The National Arts Program® in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit features up to 300 artworks in a variety of media – from sculpture to crafts, photography and painting – from state employees and their immediate families, and is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals in Amateur, Intermediate, Professional, Teen and Youth classifications.

In addition to professional judging, there will be a “People’s Choice Award.” Photos of all work will be posted on the Division’s Flickr and Facebook pages by February 27th. Anyone can vote for their favorites after February 27 on Facebook using the “like” button. The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at the exhibit’s closing reception and awards ceremony on March 14, 1-3 p.m.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to be the local sponsor of The National Arts Program®, an organization established in 1982 to identify, showcase, and reward the visual artistic talent in America. The National Arts Program® currently sponsors 82 annual exhibitions in 38 states annually and produces around 15,000 pieces of visual art each year.