in Delaware
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Art Galleries & Studios Brews & Tastes Performance Art Public Art Workshops
2015 issue
A magazine for travelers interested in finding local art in cities, small towns or hidden byways.
ART Strolls in Delaware 2015 A magazine published by Art Strolls
On the cover: Path to Cape Henlopen by Anne Jenkins 24x18� acrylic on canvas
Publisher & Editor
and inside cover: Public art project, ART on the Riverwalk Tour in Milford, Del.
Anne Jenkins 302-393-6629 PO Box 433, Milford, DE 19963
Art Strolls makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy of its content. However, all dates, times and listings are subject to change.
All photos & illustrations by Anne Jenkins unless otherwise accredited. Š Anne Jenkins 2015 Anne Jenkins, the magazine author, illustrator ,and photographer, retains sole copyright to her contributions to this magazine. All rights reserved.. http://ArtStrolls.com
Funding made possible in part by:
List of Contents 4. Map of Delaware 5. Feature: Public Art:Take a Walk Through Milford’s History.
22. Feature: MOSAIC – the Rehoboth Beach Gallery Collection 25-27. Shine the Spotlight on the Performing Arts
8. Culture, Art & Fun 9. Feature: Art Loop WIlmington – Art on the Town 11-14. A guide to art galleries & studios by town 15. Feature: First Friday in Dover
27. Historic Georgetown Art Crawl 29-30. Feature: A trio of Art Museums 32-33. Feature: Rehoboth Art League 34. Learn. Live. Be ARTy
16. A Riff on Music Festivals 17. The Art of War
35. Feature: South Eastern Delaware Artist Studio Tour – a rural treat
18. Breweries & Distrilleries 19. Feature: Milford Art Stroll 20-22. Explore. Taste. Be a foodie
36. The Art of Hospitality & Farmer’s Markets 37. About the publisher
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This magazine offers a sampler of the arts in Delaware and gives a taste of how much there is to enjoy. Note about this Treasure map: The length of Delaware from North to South is about 90 miles‌ nothing is very far away. The roads are good. So go, get lost, and enjoy!
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Take a walk through Milford’s history One of the 5 panel murals in Milford painted by the Mispillion Art League.
“The ART project is the good example of the revitalization and rebranding of the town.”
Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware
Public art offers a visual history lesson. Murals or statues convey the area’s story and bring history to life. Sometimes public art can cause controversy, sometimes lively discussion, but it can never be ignored. Milford, in central Delaware, has an interesting history and a great way of telling it. There are murals, statues, and trail markers throughout the town. The Mispillion Art League took on a big project a few years ago to paint murals on the side of the Salvation Army building on SE Front Front. They are the size of 5 large city blocks. 5
Close up of section of the Jack Lewis mural
The Milford Library boasts a full wall mural focusing on the town’s history by the late Jack Lewis, a prominent Delaware artist. The mural was on the side of a building in town and in bad shape. Luckily, it was rescued before it was too late. Downtown Milford Inc., (DMI) introduced Art on the Riverwalk Tour (ART), a 3-year project placing boat sculptures along the 3mile Riverwalk which meanders through the town. Milford's shipbuilding history inspired Lee Nelson, DMI's Executive Director, to use the classic yacht Augusta as a model. The Augusta was built in Milford in 1927, the first of the luxury yacht line produced by the Vinyard Shipbuilding Co. ART project – 18 replicas of the yacht Augusta are spread around town and along the Riverwalk. Artist Linda Chatfield painted this boat.
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Augusta was found derelict in 2008 by the present owners of the shipyard, Sudler and Joan Lofland. By 2010 she was restored and put back into service at the yard that built her 83 years ago. The Vinyard is Milford’s sole remaining shipbuilding site of the original seven. They reflect the shipbuilding history and the talented Milford craftsmen who worked here. “The ART project is a good example of the revitalization and rebranding of the town,” said Nelson. “We had various groups in town working together, artists and students collaborating, and it encourages visitors to spend more time downtown.” The 18 boats are placed centrally downtown along the delightful Riverwalk. DMI produce a brochure explaining the artist's design for each boat and showing their locations. A small mural panel claiming “WE MILFORD” created by children from the town with the help of Mispillion Art League for the league’s 10th anniversary holds pride of place on their building overlooking the riverwalk. There is more public art planned in the future which will help promote the town.
An ART project boat downtown painted by artist David Rule.
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Culture, Art & Fun Delaware Symphony Delaware Chamber Music Festival OperaDelaware The Playhouse at Rodney Square
Don’t miss Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library Hagley Museum and Library Nemours Mansion and Gardens
Newark Symphony Orchestra Dover Symphony
Tango in an art gallery sound appealing? Head to Anita Peghini Raber Gallery on Baltimore Ave., in Rehoboth and you can do just that…the gallery hosts a monthly Milonga – which means Social Dance – every last Saturday of the month. Photo: A Milonga in full swing in the gallery. Photo courtesy Anita Peghini Raber Gallery
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Art Loop Wilmington – Art on the Town Every first Friday of the month the city of Wilmington and over 25 galleries, studios, museums, exhibit spaces, artists, and restaurants celebrate art in a big way. The art exhibits usually change out monthly. Featured artists are on hand to talk about their work or do demonstrations. Most of the locations offer refreshments and there is often live entertainment. Fringe Unlimited has piggy backed on to the art loop and is presented courtesy of the annual Fringe Wilmington Festival. This is a free series of indie performance acts from past Fringe festivals. The city publishes a guide, Art on the Town magazine. This lists all the galleries, studios, and exhibit spaces open for the event and what artist or art they are featuring for the month.
Photo: One of the galleries in DCCA - very trendy in a restored tram factory.
It also lists the acts scheduled for Fringe Unlimited. This is an excellent presentation complete with maps and the free shuttle route and schedule information in a downloadable pdf form. Website 9
Individual artists in Delaware are too numerous to list in this magazine. To find individual artists check the Delaware artists roster (click above) and also check the local art organisations for the listings of their artists. Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware
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Art Galleries & Studios New Castle County Arden Craft Shop Museum & Arden Artists Delaware State Folk Art Collection at the Blue Ball Barn Yorklyn: Center for Creative Arts Wilmington: Art on the Town website lists all galleries and updates the event every month Greenville: Somerville Manning Gallery Newark: Newark Arts Alliance,
Station Gallery
University Delaware Museums
Delaware City: Forged Creations
Middletown: Gibby Center for the Arts
Studio 118, Fine Art and Photography
Photo: Delaware Art Museum pottery workshop studio
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Art Galleries & Studios
Kent County Dover: Dover Art League Parke Green Galleries
Milford: Angelucci Studios & Culture Eye Gallery 37 Live Cheap and Make Art Studios Milford Art Stroll Mispillion Art League
Photo: Gallery 37 in Milford
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Art Galleries & Studios
Sussex County Milton: Federal Street Gallery & Espresso Bar Milton Arts Guild Milton Historical Society & Art Gallery Studios on Walnut Seaford: Gallery 107 & Nanticoke River Arts Council Millsboro: D&D Stained Glass Millsboro Art League
Photo; Artist Mark Harris works at his printing press in the Studios on Walnut, Milton
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Art Galleries & Studios Lewes: Abraxas Studio Cape Artists Gallery 110 W. 3rd Street 302.644.7733 Kevin Fleming * Delaware Art Gallery Josephine Keir Ltd Market Street Studio 302.645.9030 Peninsula Gallery Ocean View:
The Studio on 24
Antique Prints,
Rehoboth Beach:
Ellen Rice Gallery
Anita Peghini Raber Gallery
Gallery One
Juleez Rehoboth Art League
Photo: Artist Kim Doughty throwing pots on the wheel in her studio in Dagsboro
MOSAIC the complete list of RB art gallery collective’s monthly art walk 14
First Friday’s in the First State’s capital, Dover The First State’s capital, Dover, hosts a First Friday stroll from April through October. Galleries, the Biggs Museum of American Art, shops, and studios stage special events and often live entertainment from 5: 00-8:00 pm. The route flows in a zig-zag sort of way. Dover Art League on W. Loockerman Street links to S. State Street to the Parke-Green Galleries, and the Biggs Museum is just around the corner. Parke-Green Galleries is an intriguing blend of art and history. Owned and run by 2 well known Dover artists, Jan Crumpley and N. Taylor Collins, they also host select artists on occasion. The Biggs Museum features excellent revolving exhibits and shows, plus it is a showcase for the Delaware by Hand group. Photo: Parke-Green Gallery Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware
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BrewGrass Milford June 14
Some established, some new – but all exciting music festivals:
Firefly Fest Dover June 18-21 Big Barrel Fest Dover June 26-28 Delaware Junction Harrington Aug. 14-16 Delmarva Folk Fest Hartly, Sept 25-26 16
The Art of War
The Air Mobility Command Museum on the grounds of the Dover Air Force Base has a must see art exhibit of “nose art� on the Flying Fortresses of World War II. The walkway above the main hanger has an explanation of the art by one of the artists and an exhibit of reproductions donated by the artist. 17
Breweries & Distilleries Need a Dogfish fix? Try this for a special weekend of all things Dogfish Head Craft Brewery stay at the Dogfish Head Inn in Lewes, tour the brewery & tasting room in Milton, eat at Dogfish Head Brewpub in Rehoboth Beach. website Sketch of interior of Painted Stave Distillery in Smyrna by Anne Jenkins ● ● ● ● ●
Harvest Ridge Winery, Marydel Mispillion River Brewing, Milford Painted Stave Distillery, Smyrna Fordham/Dominion Brewing Company in Dover Pizzadili Winery & Vineyards, Felton
Later in 2015, a third brewery – Blue Earl Brewing Company in Smyrna – will join the others on the tour.
Good Libations Tour tour breweries, distilleries and wineries in Kent County
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Milford Art Stroll Milford brands itself Rivertown, Art Town, Hometown. The Mispillion River meanders through town with an attractive Riverwalk along its banks. There is an interesting display of public art along the Riverwalk. Angelucci Studio and Culture Eye features work by wood artist, Scott Angelucci, and other artists. Gallery 37 exhibits art by owner Marcia Reed and artists from around the nation. Bob & Rosemary Connelly’s Live Cheap and Make Art Studio features watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings, and fine art photography. The Mispillion Art League has a light, airy showroom and practical workshop space. There are a number of artists studios dotted around the town. The Farmer’s Market, held every Saturday from May-October in the park by the Riverwalk, has a few local artists selling their art. Next door is the acclaimed School of Music of Delaware. The town also boasts the lively Milford Community Band and two dance schools.
The Riverfront Theater & the public art project boat Painted by artist Bill Walton The Riverfront Theater, renovated to seat 198 and home of the Second Street Players, stages live theater regularly. They recently started showing movies once a month. There are a number of restaurants, the flagship being the award-winning Abbott’s Grill. Georgia House has patio dining and Arena’s has outdoor dining overlooking the river. The Tavern is an atmospheric bar popular with locals and visitors. Two historic homes operate as Bed & Breakfasts. Milford Art Stroll website for information on all the arts in town. 19
Explore. Taste. Be a Foodie. more wine & beer tasting Frozen Toes Brewing Wilmington
The art of baking … It’s not just a cake, it’s a Patty Cake Patty Cakes
Ironhill Brewery Wilmington 16 Mile Brewery Georgetown Bacchus Wine Bar Milton (opening 2015) Crooked Hammock Brewery (opening 2015) Lewes Nassau Valley Vineyards Lewes Fenwick Wine Cellars Fenwick Island
Eat in the Street Milford, September: a sit down meal catered by local chefs using local produce. Table set down the main street website 20
Explore. Taste. Be a Foodie. Keep an eye out for excellent cooking classes, gourmet meals with wine pairings and demonstrations by awardwinning chefs held at
Abbott’s Grill or
Nage
Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware
Discover new cuisines
Eating Rehoboth This is a 3 hour guided walking tour with tastings at 5 of the city’s local restaurants. You experience diverse cuisines from a small local spot to fancy fine dining.
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Explore. Taste. Be a Foodie.
Where the trucks are… Delaware has a number of food trucks around the state. A group of Wilmington area trucks have joined together as the Rolling Revolution to keep track of their locations or to book one. For daily updates: facebook Here’s a couple more: The Penalty Box Food Truck Dover; Mr Bar-B-Que, Milford; Jakarta’s Indonesian Curbside Gourmet Milton; Taco Reho Rehoboth Beach
Need more cooking classes? At your home or in their studio… Living Well Cooking
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MOSAIC – the Rehoboth Beach Gallery Collective Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly art walk every second Saturday from March-December. For an up to date guide check their website, facebook page. On Baltimore Ave., Anita Peghini-Räber Gallery showcases the Swiss native’s bold, bright art plus a select group of local and regional artists. A light filled space right next door holds the Philip Morton Gallery. You are greeted with a gentle welcome to take your time and enjoy the art. The art is changed around regularly with new shows to keep the displays fresh. Down the street is the Ward Ellinger Gallery. The gallery is located in the Camp Rehoboth courtyard. His loose, relaxed, and colorful pieces adorn the gallery. Gallery 50 over on Wilmington Ave. is a long established icon of the town. Thunderbird Gallery is on Rehoboth Ave around the corner from Gallery 50.
Head up Rehoboth Ave. away from the beach where you can hardly miss the brightly decorated Kevin Fleming & Friends Gallery. Just further up on the other side of the road is Heidi Lowe Gallery, an innovative jewelry studio. A bona fide Rehoboth Beach local, Lowe was one of the founding members of MOSAIC. She creates unique jewelry plus she showcases 25 other local and international jewelry artists. The gallery specializes in designing and creating custom pieces.
Jeweler Heidi Lowe at work
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The Spotlight on the Performing Arts
First State Ballet Theatre Wilmington Academy of the Dance Delaware Dance Company Newark Mid-Atlantic Ballet Newark Delaware Ballet Dover The School of Delaware Ballet Camden First State Academy of Dance Milford Diamond Dance Co. Milford Sussex Dance Academy Rehoboth Beach Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware
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The Spotlight on the Performing Arts
New Castle County Wilmington: Bootless Stageworks CIty Theater Company Delaware Childrens Theater Delaware Theater Company on the Riverfront The Grand Opera House Wilmington Drama League World Cafe Live at the Queen Delaware CIty: Reedy Point Players Newark: Chapel Street Players Middletown: The Everett 26
The Spotlight on the Performing Arts Kent County Smyrna: The Smyrna Opera House Dover: The Schwartz Center for the Arts The Children’s Theatre, Inc. Milford: The River Front Theater & Second Street Players
Sussex County Milton: Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater Georgetown: Possum Point Players Rehoboth Beach: Clear Space Theater Millville: Dickens Parlour Theatre Selbyville: The Freeman Stage at Bayside 27
Historic Georgetown Art Crawl The Historic Georgetown Art Crawl is held in September in conjunction with the Annual Farmer & Foodie Festival on The Circle. Local artists set up their tents with a wide variety of media and the foodies celebrate local farmers and their farm fresh foods. Proceeds from the Georgetown Art Crawl benefit local arts programming and arts education. The event was started by The Upper Crust but got too big for them to manage, and is now organized by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 302-856-1544 or email info@georgetowncoc.com
click here
A Trio of Art Museums The Delaware arts scene is anchored by three top-class institutions, the excellent Delaware Art Museum (DAM), the edgy and innovative Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA) in Wilmington and the charming Biggs Museum of American Arts in the Heritage Park in the state capital, Dover. DAM is 100 years old and is not owned by the state. It is a private, non-profit organization which shares its treasures within, hosts workshops in its studios, and extends outreach programs throughout the state for all Delawareans. While it has an impressive collection, it's mostly known for its collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art, works by renowned Delaware artist Howard Pyle, and other American illustrators. In fact, DAM was built on the foundation of a collection of 100 Howard Pyle paintings back in 1912. It holds arts-related events like Art After Dark on Friday nights, has a delightful sculpture garden, and offers highly regarded workshops. Their calendar is full and locals are spoiled for choice.
The DCCA is located in an old tram factory
The Chihuly installation in DAM, a favorite with local sketchers
The DCCA on the other hand, is located in Wilmington’s inner city, part of the newly revitalized riverfront area. It is located in an old renovated tram factory and the modern meets old atmosphere of the building complements the art within. Unlike a traditional museum, the center has no permanent collection and entrance is free. They change exhibits in all the galleries regularly, offering as many as 30 exhibits a year. They have 7 galleries, 26 artists studios upstairs, auditorium, classrooms, and a small museum shop. One of the 7 galleries is reserved for the studio artists, showing the work of two artists each month. Special events are held throughout the month. The art is contemporary, edgy, and exciting but it is not intimidating. The whole atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
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A staircase in the Biggs Museum, Dover
Dover, the state capital, is located in the middle of the state and boasts a delightful Heritage Park, housing the state's government buildings. The Biggs Museum of American Art sits right in the middle of this historic park. The three floors are a treasure trove of Delaware history ranging from period furniture to modern art by the likes of renowned local painter, Jack Lewis. The first floor is reserved for their revolving exhibits with the second and third floors housing their permanent collection.
Upstairs the display meanders through small rooms into larger ones and then off around the corner into another hallway. They like to mix it up and keep things lively by interweaving exhibits such as the annual Award Winners show amongst the permanent collection. Events and workshops are part of their yearly calendar and recently the artists and artisans of Delaware by Hand joined forces with the Biggs.
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An exciting new initiative to promote all the arts – culinary, visual, performing – in Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Delaware Arts Alliance is the unifying voice for the arts throughout the state, advocating for the central role of the arts and arts education in advancing dynamic communities and a creative citizenry. Artists can join for free: be an arts advocate. Georgetown and Seaford: A Tale of Two Town’s Collaboration There may be empty buildings aplenty but there is a sense of renewal budding in the small town of Seaford. A banner hangs above a door of a restored building proclaiming “Gallery 107.” Around the corner the Nanticoke River Arts Council has taken up residence. In Georgetown, their bigger neighbor’s town center, is the tiny coffee shop The Upper Crust. The businesses often collaborate to spread the word about local art. One of the most appreciated exhibits is artwork done by children from age 6 to teens.
Sketch of The U[pper Crust by Anne Jenkins
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Rehoboth Art League The venerable Rehoboth Art League (RAL) is one of the big dogs on Delaware’s art block. It has been around for 74 years and has established a formidable reputation. Nestled on a secluded campus in the off-the-beaten-track Henlopen Acres neighborhood, it has to have one of the best locations imaginable. The historic buildings – the 1780 Paynter’s studio, plus Chambers – are used for art classes. The campus includes a large pottery classroom, children's studios, a newer structure housing offices, and four galleries for exhibits and the sale of art. Dominating all is the town’s oldest building, the Homestead, an elegant 1743 farmhouse with a formal back garden. During the summer they hold exhibits there and it also houses a permanent collection of well known Delaware artists work. One very fascinating feature is the three signed doors housed in the Homestead.
These doors literally tell the story of RAL. Each green door is signed by visiting and local artists – some well known, some obscure – and by notable visiting dignitaries, like Governors and various celebrities. This tradition started back in the 1930’s and the league published a book, “Doors to History,” chronicling the signers.
One of the green doors now in the Homestead. Image courtesy of Rehoboth Art League.
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The gardens behind the Homestead on RAL’s campus in Henlopen Acres
Under the guiding hand of director Sheila Bravo, they not only host a variety of art classes in all mediums throughout the year, and are increasing collaborations with other agencies and organizations, but they also have a visual arts outreach program sending artists out to rural areas with less access to the arts. “The aim of the outreach program is to get to kids in rural areas of Sussex County,” Bravo said. “We operate in around seven locations.” RAL recently launched the development of its Master Campus Plan.
An arty bench to sit on in the tranquil grounds of the Henlopen Acres campus
They are launching a new satellite campus and they are building new artists studios on Rte 9. For more information see their website for updates. RAL also hosts exhibits for their membership, solo artist shows, juried shows, and an open air two weekend art fair on the grounds in August. They also hold an Annual Cottage Tour of Art during the summer and have introduced monthly Salons. The Salons are get togethers in limited numbers for art discussions and refreshments held in private homes. 33
Learn. Live. Be ARTy. Get creative, meet people, have fun Samples of some art workshops: Center for Creative Arts, the Mispillion Art League, Dover Art League, Rehoboth Art League, Studios on Walnut, Millsboro Art League. Try your hand at music lessons Music School of Delaware
Explore the exciting world of watercolor journaling with Rosemary Connelly at Live Cheap and Make Art Studios
Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware
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SouthEastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour SouthEastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour (SEDAST) is an excellent rural tour held over Thanksgiving weekend. It’s been going for 19 years, is a well established and organised tour. A number of the original artists still lead the charge, new artists join, old ones leave, but the tour includes a solid 12+ studios. Don't miss Frey studios. Tom Frey is a highly regarded award winning woodturner. His work is delicate and breathtaking. His daughter, Sonja, a superb colorist and abstract mixed media artist, joins him for the tour. The joint studio of husband/wife artists, Justin Cavagnaro and Kim Doughty, is usually a hive of activity. He is a glass artist and she does pottery and delicate silver jewelry. They do demonstrations which gives you a good insight in to how a piece is made.
Well-known artist, Tara Funk Grim, has her studio (above) alongside a peaceful canal. Her work draws you in with joy, exploration and reflection.
Master woodturner Tom Frey in his studio.
Artist Sonja Frey explains her art making process. Photo by April Allyson Abel
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The Art of Hospitality & Farmer’s Markets Stay a while – take a few days to explore all the arts in Delaware. There are a number of inns and Bed & Breakfasts dotted around the state, like these two historic buildings in Milford:
Photo courtesy of Causey Mansion
The Towers
Delaware Farmer’s Markets discover local arts & crafts plus local foods Fifer’s Orchards holds Farm to Table events, festivals with live music & more Delaware agritourism listings of special events, tastings, tours
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About artist & publisher Anne Jenkins I am a local artist and a passionate arts advocate. I was honoured to receive the 2013 Established Fellowship, Visual Arts – Folk Art discipline from Delaware Division of the Arts. My 7-panel burlap installation art, created for my Fellowship, on “The Underground Railroad,” plus five of my paintings were on exhibit at the Biggs Museum in Dover. Two paintings from my ’ Women of Courage’ series were in an exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Atlanta, GA.
I‘ve run two of my own galleries in Milford and in Georgia, where I received a GA Producer of Distinction award and was a guest speaker at the Georgia Governor's Conference on Tourism. In 2009 I completed an artist in residence in Colorado where I worked with a well known print maker. My full time art career started in New Orleans way back in 2002. Please share this magazine often on all your social media, newsletters, websites, etc., and help spread the word about the Delaware art scene. Thanks & enjoy the arts
Anne © 2015 Anne Jenkins All rights reserved (302) 393-6629
artstrolls.com annejenkinsbooks.com annejenkinsart.com artramble.com
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Artstrolls.com 2015 Delaware