Newark Arts Alliance Executive Director Dennis Lawson |
Welcome
back to the area! What brought you back into the Delaware Arts
Scene?
Thanks! I left my position as Manager of Public
Relations at the Delaware Art Museum in 2010 to pursue my MFA in Creative
Writing—something I’ve always wanted to do to become a better writer overall. When I finished the degree, I hoped to
get back into the arts. It’s exciting to see how art can inspire people and enrich
their lives.
What are your immediate and long-term goals for NAA?
One
of my immediate goals is to improve communication so the public knows what’s going on
here, from our exhibitions and events to our classes and summer camp. I want people to know this is a
place where they can be creative, and I want artists to have their work
seen. We've already
started to get our Literary Arts program off the ground, with a monthly Open
Mic dedicated to Poetry, Prose and Performance, and new writing classes scheduled for
April and May.
Long-term, I want to see the Newark Arts Alliance and the
City of Newark as a whole be as successful and vibrant as ever. I hope to build relationships with local businesses and
organizations, increase our offerings to the community, and increase the number
of NAA members as well as our levels of fundraising.
What would you say is the strongest asset of NAA? What (if
anything) would you change or improve?
Our
strongest asset is the great people who are
involved as volunteers, artists, teachers and supporters. The NAA has been going strong for 20
years, thanks to an incredible level of local enthusiasm!
One
thing I would change is the perception that some people have of the NAA as a
sort of invitation-only club—nothing could be further from the truth! The NAA exists for everyone in the community to be able to
appreciate local art and find a creative outlet for themselves and/or their
children.
Here's a situation for you. Arts Patron: "I've never been to the Newark Arts Alliance and don't really
know much about it." What is the one thing you would say to this person
to draw them in?
NAA is where you can view and purchase art by local artists, and a welcoming location where you or your children can participate
in any number of creative events and classes.
Come on in!
Who is your favorite renowned visual artist — living or dead, and why? Who
is/are your favorite local artist(s)?
My favorite renowned visual artist would have to be Dante
Gabriel Rossetti, whose Pre-Raphaelite paintings I discovered while working at
the Delaware Art Museum. His use
of poetry helped invite a literary guy like me into his visual works. And his Lady Lilith is the ultimate
femme fatale!
My favorite local artist is my wife, who is quite a
woodworker and painter. But she
tends to keep her creative works to herself. I’ll get her to submit a piece to the NAA someday.
I also want to add that all of the talented local artists
who submit works to our exhibitions and gallery shop, and all the great
performers who get up in front of the room at our Open Mic, have my appreciation
and respect!