Art & the Beach...What Could Be Better?

By Guest Blogger, Francine Stone

Francine is a Wilmingtonian whose passions include photography, theater, top-shelf tequila and a little guy named Finn. She lives in Bellefonte with her husband, Matt, and their Golden Retriever puppy, Finnegan.
 

The St. Peter's Annual Art Show in Lewes is one of my favorite summer events. Every year, I look forward to this event, which is always held the first Saturday of July. Over 140 artists of every genre line the streets surrounding the historic St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Second Street. The folks at St. Peter's do a wonderful job selecting high-quality art and balancing the representation of various media via their juried selection process. The art on display is always beautiful, and collectors of all kinds can find something they covet.

The 47th annual show was held this year on July 6, and my mother-in-law and I headed out early to beat the heat. The artists for whom jewelry is a medium always capture my attention, so we made sure to visit the booths of our perennial favorites, Joy Davis (http://www.delawarebyhand.org/davis) and Anna Biggs (http://www.annabiggsdesigns.com).  

I also found a new favorite whose designs I'm eyeing up for my collection — Moonflower Jewelry (www.moonflowerjewelry.net).  Jen Brower of Moonflower creates intricate hand-woven silver pieces — think chain-mail as beautiful jewelry!  

As a budding hobby photographer, I was also taken by several photographers with stunning work on display. Gene Pembrook's travel photos (http://www.35slide.com) are breathtaking works that increased my wanderlust tenfold. I also loved Elisabeth Bard's nature photography (www.elisabethbard.com) — I found myself particularly taken with an intimate portrait of an angry Chickadee in the snow!
 

I was equally impressed by Painterly Photography by Linda McAdams (www.lindamcadams.com), who has a unique technique of hand-altering Polaroids and transferring them to canvas for an Impressionistic effect. The colorful scenes by City Man were reminiscent of my beloved New Orleans, and the unique scenes and pet portraits by Mark Turner (www.markvturner.org) were captivating. 

If you've never been to the St. Peter's Art Show, I encourage you to visit next year (July 5, 2014).  If you go, be sure you come hungry because the famous turkey salad croissant lunch prepared by the ladies of the church is also something to look forward to each year! 

See http://www.stpeterslewes.org/#/special-ministries/art-show. 

A Fearless New Season of Comedy in Arden...Plus CTC's Big 20th Kickoff

As City Theater Company prepares to launch its landmark 20th season — leading with an electric, one-night-only, in-concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar at World Cafe Live at the Queen, directed/produced Joe Trainor and featuring a full band and cast of CTC fan-favorites —its wildly popular comedy improv troupe, FEARLESS IMPROV, is gearing up for a side-splitting new season as well.

Fearless Improv brought the funny to Penn's Place this summer.

Following last year's successful debut of regular gigs at Wilmington's Chris White Gallery, and a fantastic summer run at Penn's Place in old New Castle, the troupe now moves to the larger space of the Buzz Ware Village Center in Arden for regular shows on the 3rd Friday of each month, beginning September 20.

"All shows are at 8:00pm and will provide you with an hour of endless laughs and tears of joy," says the troupe's Facebook page.  And judging by the crowds and "buzz" the group has consistently drawn, that's absolutely true.  Plus, it's a very affordable $5 admission at the door, with drinks and snacks available for purchase, and free parking.  So, you've really got no excuse NOT to come giggle, participate and make'em up with some of City Theater Company's finest.

See www.city-theater.org.
See www.facebook.com/CTCIMPROV.

A Farewell to Danielle Rice — One of Delaware Arts' Best!

Post courtesy of The Delaware Art Museum

Blogger Note: We wish Dr. Rice the very best in her new endeavors. We are truly sad at her departure from our Delaware Arts circle, but we thank her for her unwavering commitment to invigorate, elevate and promote the Delaware Art Museum and the entire Delaware Arts scene. Thank you, Danielle!  We are so grateful and fortunate to have had you as one of our fearless and dedicated leaders.

The Board of Trustees of the Delaware Art Museum announces the departure of Executive Director Dr. Danielle Rice. Dr. Rice led the Museum for the past eight years. Her departure will be effective September 1, 2013. Mike Miller, the Museum's current Chief Financial Officer, will take the helm as acting Chief Executive Officer while the Board undertakes a national search for a successor to Dr. Rice.
 

Under her leadership, the Museum experienced a virtual rebirth. Shortly after her arrival, Dr. Rice successfully managed the opening of the newly renovated and expanded building, along with the related festivities in June 2005. She initiated a large number of community partnerships and re-established the Museum's image. She also led a strategic planning effort that resulted in a revised mission and tightly focused community-minded goals. In 2007 and 2008 she guided the Museum through the American Alliance of Museums' rigorous re-accreditation process.
 
During her tenure, the Museum hosted several successful major exhibitions and welcomed back the Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite Art from a world tour into newly designed galleries. In addition to enriching the Museum's collections through major acquisitions of art, including 50 works from the Vogel collection and numerous other gifts, Dr. Rice helped to initiate and launch several innovative uses of technology, including cell phone tours, dedicated websites for John Sloan and the Pre-Raphaelites, and the delightful interactive educational website Art of Storytelling. She led the Museum through its Centennial Celebration, including a wide array of partnerships throughout the state. She also initiated the Centennial Campaign for the Next Century Fund, which has raised over $6.5 million.

Gerret Copeland, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, noted on behalf of the Board, "Danielle has been a great asset to the Museum and to the community. She has made the Museum a place where everyone can feel welcome. We are deeply grateful for her leadership over the past eight years and we wish her all the best in her next adventure."  

Beginning in September 2013, Dr. Rice will assume the position of Director of the Master of Science Program in Museum Leadership at Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. This newly created Master of Science in Museum Leadership program is designed to prepare leaders who will enable museums to fulfill their missions of stewardship and education. The program combines cutting-edge theory, history and practice, and addresses the need for increased diversity in the museum workforce, management, collections, and programs.

See www.delart.org.