Delaware Art Museum Presents Commissioned Work by Richard Raw

The content of this post comes from a Delaware Art Museum press release...

The Delaware Art Museum presents a new performance by Richard Raw and the Word Warrior Band on Thursday, March 10, at 5:00pm at The Queen in downtown Wilmington (500 N. Market Street). The work premieres as part of Shades of Excellence: The Blackout Experience, Freire Charter School’s annual event celebrating Black History Month that honors the cultural contributions, past and present, of people of the African diaspora. Students will blend Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Indigenous, and Black American culture to honor African Heritage, and the event will be headlined by Richard Raw’s new work.

Raw’s performance will tell the story of a boy returning to Africa after 400 years of separation, greeting his ancestors and indigenous heritage. The performance will feature poetry, storytelling and African dancing with appearances by Ile Igoke Temple and stage design by The Stylistics. Raw will premiere songs from his forthcoming album Orisa Soul Music.

“We welcome the Wilmington community to join us at The Queen for this much-anticipated new performance,” says Saralyn Rosenfield, Director of Learning and Engagement at the Delaware Art Museum. “Richard Raw’s commission aligns with the Museum’s work to connect people with art and to highlight the strength and legacy of artists working in our city.” Shades of Excellence continues DelArt’s series of commissions supporting the creation of new art and performance by national and local artists of color over the past 5 years.

Richard Raw combines soul with hip-hop and invigorating, thought-provoking lyrics. He works as a community activist, using his lyrics and performances as tools to inspire and educate the next generation. Raw was awarded a 2021 Established Artist grant by the Delaware Division of the Arts for his music. Once Iz Balleto, Community Engagement Specialist at the Delaware Art Museum, heard about the student-centered Blackout Experience, he identified the opportunity to bring in Richard Raw and the Word Warrior Band to amplify Black excellence. This format supports the Museum’s mission, creates a new partnership between Freire and DelArt, and aligns with Richard Raw’s artistic practice.

"Freire Schools is thrilled to be extending the reach of our annual event honoring Black History Month by partnering with the Delaware Art Museum," said Freire Charter Wilmington Co-Head of School Nate Durant, "Every day we are preparing our students for college and beyond, and that happens both inside and outside of the classroom. When students are afforded opportunities like this Blackout Experience to elevate their voice, celebrate their history, and join with their community to advocate for what they believe in, it is transformative, not just for our school but for our whole community. We look forward to welcoming Richard Raw and the Word Warrior Band and celebrating the many "Shades of Excellence" that shine daily at Freire Wilmington and in our city.”

Tickets for this show are $15 and can be purchased at www.delart.org.

Delaware Division of the Arts Hosts Annual State Employee Art Exhibit

The content of this post comes from a Delaware Division of the Arts press release...

The Delaware Division of the Arts will host the 11th annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition, from February 21 to March 14, 2022 at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University, Dover. 

This year, more than 200 State of Delaware employees and their family members submitted artwork and will be competing for awards and cash prizes. The exhibition is free and open to the public. 

Prizes include:

• Adult, Amateur, Intermediate & Professional
• First Place Awards of $350
• Second Place Awards of $250 
• Third Place Awards of $150
• Youth/Teen
• First Place Awards of $150
• Second Place Awards of $100
• Third Place Awards of $50
• A Best of Show Award of $400
• An Art Education Award of $200 for reimbursement for arts instruction and materials
• People’s Choice Award, Facebook and in-person ballot

Additional awards including Honorable Mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Awards are limited to one cash award per artist per classification.

Visitors are invited to join Division and Art Center/Gallery staff for a special, weekend-long celebration of all this year’s participants and to see the winning artwork during the exhibition’s final weekend, Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13 from 12:00-4:00pm. There will be activities, snacks, and giveaways for Gallery visitors.

The exhibition at the Arts Center/Gallery can be viewed during these hours:

• Monday: Closed to the public
• Tuesday: 10:00am-6:00pm
• Wednesday-Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm
• Saturdays, March 5 & 12: 12:00-4:00pm
• Sunday, March 13: 12:00-4:00pm

Sponsored by the National Arts Program in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.

Participants must be a current employee, or immediate family member of a current employee of the State of Delaware. All entries must be the original work of the applicant and completed within the last three years.

Delaware Theatre Company Brings the "Other World" to Wilmington

Delaware Arts Info reviewer Charles "Ebbie" Alfree III got a rare treat to virtually sit down with the creative team of Other World, the World Premiere musical debuting at Delaware Theatre Company. 

He chats with Book Writer, Hunter Bell; Co-composer and Lyricist, Jeff Bowen; Director, Adrienne Campbell-Holt; Co-composer and Lyrcist, Ann McNamee; and Choreographer, Karla Puno Garcia. 

Other World begins at the Delaware Theatre Company on February 23, 2022. For information and tickets, visit www.delawaretheatre.org.