Twenty Delaware artists are being recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) for the high quality of their work. Samples from 136 Delaware choreographers, composers, musicians, writers, folk and visual artists were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals, considering demonstrated creativity and skill in the art forms. The 20 selected fellows reside throughout Delaware including Bear, Bridgeville, Claymont, Dover, Frankford, Lewes, Middletown, Newark and Wilmington.
Awards are given in three categories: $10,000 for the Masters Award; $6,000 for the Established Professional Award; and $3,000 for the Emerging Professional Award. Fellows are required to offer at least one exhibit or performance during the upcoming year, providing an opportunity for the public to experience their work.
"Individual Artist Fellowship grants provide the recognition and exposure that artists need to successfully promote their work," said Paul Weagraff, DDOA Director. "The financial award allows them to pursue advanced training, purchase equipment and materials, or fulfill other needs to advance their careers."
The work of the Fellows will be featured in a group exhibition, Award Winners XIX, at the Biggs Museum in Dover from June 7 to July 21, 2019. Selections from Award Winners will travel to CAMP Rehoboth in August and early September and then Cab Calloway School of the Arts during September and October.
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A photo from last year’s Award Winners' exhibition
at the Biggs. The painting is from Thomas del Porte, 2018 Established Professional, Visual Arts: Painting. |
"It’s a very diverse cohort this year," notes Leeann Wallett, DDOA's Program Officer of Communications and Marketing. "I'm excited to see what they bring to the annual Award Winners' exhibition at the Biggs."
The Masters Fellowship is open to differing artistic disciplines each year. In Fiscal Year 2019, Masters Fellowship applications were accepted in Literary and Media Arts from artists who had previously received an Established Professional Fellowship. In addition to exemplifying high artistic quality, Masters Fellowship applicants must demonstrate their involvement and commitment to the arts in Delaware and beyond. Listed below are the Delaware Division of the Arts 2019 Individual Artist Fellows as well as three Honorable Mentions.
Billie Travalini has been awarded this year's Masters Fellowship in Literature: Fiction. Travalini, an internationally award-winning writer and educator, teaches English and creative writing at Wilmington University. She has taught creative writing to encourage critical thinking at youth detention centers statewide, which led to Teaching Troubled Youth: A Practical Pedagogical Guide, an award-winning book with an important message on the human condition. In addition, she has taught poetry and playwriting at various Boys and Girls Clubs.
The Masters Fellowship is open to differing artistic disciplines each year. In Fiscal Year 2019, Masters Fellowship applications were accepted in Literary and Media Arts from artists who had previously received an Established Professional Fellowship. In addition to exemplifying high artistic quality, Masters Fellowship applicants must demonstrate their involvement and commitment to the arts in Delaware and beyond. Listed below are the Delaware Division of the Arts 2019 Individual Artist Fellows as well as three Honorable Mentions.
Billie Travalini has been awarded this year's Masters Fellowship in Literature: Fiction. Travalini, an internationally award-winning writer and educator, teaches English and creative writing at Wilmington University. She has taught creative writing to encourage critical thinking at youth detention centers statewide, which led to Teaching Troubled Youth: A Practical Pedagogical Guide, an award-winning book with an important message on the human condition. In addition, she has taught poetry and playwriting at various Boys and Girls Clubs.
In 2014, Travalini received the Governor's Award for the Arts for her extensive career and work in education. Travalini, co-founder and coordinator of the Lewes Creative Writers' Conference, is currently working with Fort DuPont to have the children of Governor Bacon remembered by serving the children of today. Her passion for creative writing has led her to "promote the need to include everyone in the conversation."
2019 Individual Artist Fellows
Masters Award — $10,000
2019 Individual Artist Fellows
Masters Award — $10,000
- Billie Travalini (Wilmington), Literature: Fiction
- Susan Benarcik (Wilmington), Visual Arts: Works on Paper
- Shawn Faust (Bear), Visual Arts: Painting
- Don Foster (Dover), Literature: Fiction
- Daniel Jackson (Claymont), Visual Arts: Photography
- Shelley Kelley (Newark), Folk Art: Music
- Leslie Hsu Oh (Middletown), Literature: Creative Nonfiction
- Chet'la Sebree (Middletown), Literature: Poetry
- IVA (Wilmington), Music: Solo Recital
- Jenifer Adams-Mitchell (Frankford), Literature: Fiction
- Kevin J. Cope (Newark), Music: Solo Recital
- Kaitlyn Evans (Lewes), Visual Arts: Crafts
- Matthew Glick (Claymont), Visual Arts: Works on Paper
- Geraldo Gonzalez (Wilmington), Folk Arts: Visual Arts
- Karen Hurley-Heyman (Newark), Literature: Poetry
- Mary-Margaret Pauer (Bridgeville), Literature: Creative Nonfiction
- D.H. Regnier (Newark), Music: Composition
- Gregg Silvis (Newark), Visual Arts: Sculpture
- G.W. Thompson (Lewes), Visual Arts: Painting
- Shannon Woodloe (Wilmington), Visual Arts: Photography
Honorable Mention
- Howard Eberle (Lewes), Visual Arts: Works on Paper
- Jane Miller (Wilmington), Literature: Poetry
- Jim Salt (Newark), Literature: Fiction