Delaware by Hand

The Delaware Art Museum sponsored the first juried show by Delaware by Hand, an association of artists all over Delaware. The jurors and curators, Dr. Susan Isaacs of Towson University and Dr. Jacqueline Atkins of the Allentown Art Museum picked fifteen works, all of which were beautifully executed and a delight for the winter weary museum visitor.

The exhibit has a catalog. The photograph of the exquisite quilt by Virginia Abrams entitled Reflections 2 gives a one-dimensional impression of water, but seeing the piece in person shows how the watery reflection appears only as you back away.

Although the recent exhibit had a preponderance of New Castle County artists, the association has artists from all over the state. I went to their web site and picked one from each county.

New Castle County: Paula Camenzind. Camendzind’s work over the past decades and see a maturity of concept and development that stops me in my tracks. Her bulbous vase has a moon crater surface out of which a purple glazed neck peaks out as if the work were a natural geode.

Kent County: William Henry Smallwood. Smallwood’s woodwork began when he wanted to make models for his paintings and the models themselves became a passion for him. Pictured is a stark, simple duck.

Sussex County: Barbara Warden. Warden’s brilliant colored fiber quilts are more portraits than cloth. Her designs have wild colors which she melds into coherent design.

Bravi to the staff of the Delaware Art Museum and Dr. Mary F. Holahan for promoting local artists through their Outlooks program.

See http://www.delawarebyhand.org/.
See http://www.delart.org/.

Jazzing up the Vespers for MLK

Stomping and clapping, we all enjoyed the music together at The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM) during the celebration for the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A full church in downtown Wilmington on a rainy, cold Sunday is quite a feat. In addition to the singer, Tiffany Jones, the keyboard player, Jeffrey Knoettner, the drummer, Harry “Butch” Reed and Micah Jones, Bassist, the church’s adult choir and organist/music director, David Christopher, performed. The Reverend Rod Welles opened the evening with the beautiful, powerful words of Dr. King: “When life itself offers on order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow from his instrument.”

For a moment, I forgot I was in church. Though we sang the traditional Episcopalian Psalm and intoned chant, with the Bishop of the Diocese of Delaware Wayne Wright sitting nearby, the musicians transported us with their solos and improvisation. Tiffany Jones’ sultry voice was perfect for “Feeling Good”. Her fresh interpretation was a welcome change from the Nina Simone’s doctored-up, almost masculine version of the song.

Keyboardist Jeffrey Knoettner rocked the house in Joe Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” This purely instrumental piece gave him, Harry Reed and Micah Jones a chance to show off their virtuosity and tight ensemble. The Adult Choir seemed to enjoy every moment of the performance, participating with nods and head-bobs, even while they weren’t singing. Reverend Welles invited the audience to join in singing “We Shall Overcome” and spontaneously hands reached out from every direction in the church, to form a giant connecting bond.

It was a fitting tribute for Dr. King---the kind of event you felt he spoke of and envisioned---bringing all people together in celebration and honor.

See http://www.ssam.org/.

Looking Back on 2009...

Like many fans, we enjoyed recalling “standout” moments and people for Arts in 2009. Below are a few we felt were truly impactful.

Arts Allure (by Jessica Graae)
We saw unique approaches in exciting, unusual Arts programs. These organizations in particular made heroic efforts to not only cultivate their fan base, but also take programming risks that may be off the beaten path…

The Delaware Valley Chorale’s season opened with a performance of God’s Trombones by Roy Ringwald. Not often performed, the work based on the poetry of James Weldon Johnson drew a large, appreciative audience. Under the direction of David Christopher, this chorus has grown artistically and vocally. Be sure to catch the Haydn Creation performance in May.
See http://www.delawarevalleychorale.org/.

Bootless Artworks, a theater company performing in Arden Gild Hall, made interesting choices as well. Run by Rosanne DellAversano and Jim Fuerst, the group provides unusual, accessible theater, and secured support to bring works to children and elderly. They reworked The Velveteen Rabbit into a puppet musical and brought the outrageous Evil Dead, The Musical to a packed house nightly. Next up is an evening of One Acts in March.
See http://www.bootless.org/.

City Theater Company raised the bar with creativity and out-of-the-box production. Downtown Wilmington is thirsty for affordable, local theater; CTC quenched that with the brilliant, bloody Sweeney Todd in December. They too, filled the theater and brought edgy drama with excellent singer/actors showcased. March brings By George, One Acts by local playwright George Tietze.
See http://www.city-theater.org/.

Arts Arrivals (by Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald)
This past year also saw a number of newcomers to the scene, making it an exciting year for us all!

As part of Wilmington's 9th Street revitalization, Geoff Blake & Red Mohawk Gallery are making a big splash. You can't miss the gallery or Geoff....he's the dude with the fiery crimson, spiked hair. Welcome to Wilmington! Although not as new but totally as impactful has been the New Wilmington Arts Association (see below as well), making a way cool path for modern, wacky, arresting, contemporary art all around d'town Wilmo.
See http://newwilmingtonart.blogspot.com/ and http://www.redmohawk.com/

Delaware Art Museum took a bold step forward launching Concerts on Kentmere, featuring its new all-female, ensemble-in-residence, Pyxis Piano Quartet. The events, held in the Pre-Raphaelite Galleries, have drawn sold-out crowds, providing yet another reason for DAM to celebrate its increasing good fortune.
See http://www.delart.org/prog_events/concerts_on_kentmere.html.

Folks in Wilmington lined the muddy Market Street sidewalk in October as Lt. Gov. Matt Denn led the official groundbreaking for the "new" Queen Theater on Market Street. More than 50 years after its initial closing, the re-opening of the immense venue is scheduled for Spring 2011, as part of a partnership with World Cafe Live and WXPN 88.5 FM. We can't wait to see what the future holds.
See http://www.lightupthequeen.org./

Did Wilmington have the chops to put on a Fringe? YOU BET. Tina Betz & Rich Neumann (below) brought their vision of Fringe Wilmington to life in a big way. And it was fringy, with visual installations, film, dance, music and theater events throughout the city. Plans for FringeWilmo 2010 are currently under way.
See www.fringewilmingtonde.com

Arts Angels (by Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald)
There were folks who dedicated time, energy and vision to the promotion and development of new Arts ventures. We applaud their efforts; hopefully, they’ll inspire others to follow their lead in 2010!

City of Wilmington Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz and Associate Communications Director Rich Neumann worked tirelessly to bring us Fringe Wilmington. In addition, thanks to Tina's department's efforts, Wilmington's First Night 2010 provided free admission to attendees this year---with great success, despite less-than-stellar weather.

Michael Kalmbach & the NWAA (above) have made contemporary art a force to be reckoned with and celebrated in Wilmington (and beyond). Every month, NWAA events draw increasing crowds and energy to the city, and Michael was honored with a 2009 Christi Award for his efforts and vision. Thanks, Michael!

Among all of this positive energy, Delaware also lost an Arts Angel in 2009: Peggy Amsterdam, former DDOA director and Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance leader, passed away just before year’s end.

Arts Allies (by Margaret Darby)
This year, businesses and Arts organizations successfully collaborated in unique and mutually beneficial connections. Smart thinking for each, and lessons that could (and should) be replicated and expanded upon…

Case in point: Veritas, the wine store that opened on Justison Landing this past spring. Owner Venu Gaddamidi jumped right on to Wilmington’s Art on the Town bandwagon, becoming a permanent gallery every first Friday—good for art and good for business! And, if you are like me, you can’t help but buy something on your way out.
See http://www.veritaswineshop.com/.

Terry Foreman, Executive Director of the Newark Arts Alliance, has placed works in restaurants along Newark’s Main Street, providing venues for artists and great atmosphere for businesses. I actually purchased clothes and jewelry at Gecko in Newark when reporting on a jewelry display in that store—which I would not have discovered without the draw of the art.
See http://www.newarkartsalliance.org/

Marilyn P. Whittington, Executive Director of the Delaware Humanities Forum, was brilliant in planning DHF’s Interpreting Dreams: Book & Authors Series at three area venues: Ameritage (now closed), Union City Grill and Washington Street Ale House. Each restaurant provided space for live readings by City Theater Company and discussion with the authors. There was a crowd every time and the restaurants profited from their largesse. A perfect match!
See http://www.dhf.org/.

Clear Space Productions, with Executive Director Ken Skrzesz and Artistic Director Doug Yetter, has such outreach success that it now has a four-year theatre program partnership with Cape Henlopen High School. In March, it was awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the U.S. Department of Education for an after-school enrichment program with H. O. Brittingham Elementary School.
See http://www.clearspaceproductions.org/.

Arts Army (by Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald)
Amid all of the energy and discussion around the Arts in 2009 came a groundbreaking alliance of statewide Arts organizations, and it couldn’t come at a more appropriate or critical time.

The Delaware Arts Alliance, a consortium of more than 15 Arts organizations throughout the state (and growing), was launched in June. The group is open to membership for both individuals and organizations, and aims to serve as a vehicle for increased awareness, participation and multilevel government/community advocacy for the Arts throughout the state. In these times, it is an exciting and invaluable effort developed by a core group of visionary Arts administrators. I hope that many more organizations—large and small; Arts, business, and corporate—will join the cause. Please support their work to promote and advocate for the importance of the Arts in our community, education, culture and lives!