As we emerge from the rubble of COVID together, The Delaware Contemporary has strived to unite with community organizations and regional institutions to provide new opportunities for engagement with the arts.
Embedded in our mission is the power of art to facilitate civic dialogue, bind communities and improve quality of life. As the impacts of COVID still linger, forging relationships and sharing resources is vital to a positive, collective future.
During this past year, The Delaware Contemporary launched a new partnership with City Theater Company. Through upgrading our Wings Auditorium to a black box theater space with new lighting and sound equipment, the experience of art was brought into live action for our patrons. City Theater Co. presented their mainstage production, Fearless Improv performances, a provocative spring show, and annual comedy festival in their new home.
Our black box space is open to all performance groups to unite with the visual art experience at The Delaware Contemporary.
In collaboration with the Delaware Children’s Museum, the summer of 2022 presents a suite of exhibitions on the topic of “PLAY.” Through the selection of work, programs, and events, we present the overarching effects of play, specifically how it pertains to the local Wilmington area.
What are the barriers to play? How can we creatively foster the fundamentals of play? In what ways can play be extended beyond the museum walls?
Play is essential to cognitive growth and development in children; a critical piece to advancing problem solving processes. Although play evolves as we grow older, elements of curiosity and wonder nurture the fundamentals of play, which are central to art making and artistic process. Stop in and PLAY before this season closes on Aug. 21.
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“PLAY” featured a full-day conference, “PLAYDATE,” which looked at the topic of “play” from multiple perspectives: parent, educator, participant, social worker. An esteemed panel of experts moderated discussions and workshops ranging from the social infrastructures that support play to cognitive growth and trauma mitigation
. In addition, we commissioned a permanent mural at the Delaware Children’s Museum by artist Jarret (Posi) Harris titled, “The World Needs You @ DCM.’‘ We hope those visiting DCM will be inspired by this affirming mural and see themselves as important individuals within the community.
We are excited to announce our fall/winter 2022 season, “Through A Glass, Darkly,”curated by Kristin Deady, Jenna Lucente and Alexander Rosenberg.
In connection with Salem Community College, The Delaware Contemporary has engaged these experts in the field of glass and contemporary art to serve as guest curators. This exhibition suite opens Sept. 9, and brings new and recent works by artists working with glass and glass-related materials and processes.
Selected works will engage the historical power of glass while challenging viewers to acknowledge an inherent interconnectedness between enhancement and distortion. Historically, glass has augmented human perception, allowing us to view parts of the world that are otherwise elusive to our limited natural senses. The nature of the material is two-sided; it both enhances and distorts vision. Glass is an instrument for enlightenment, and at the same time, it is a driver of misinformation.
An exciting highlight of the “Through A Glass, Darkly” programming is the Corning Museum of Glass Mobile Hotshop coming to The Delaware Contemporary November 2 to 6. The Mobile Hotshop takes the live glassmaking experience on the road, bringing the artistry and education of glassmaking to the public. It uses unique glassmaking equipment to recreate a state-of-the-art studio environment and presents complex hot glassmaking techniques at venues around the world.
The Delaware Contemporary is thrilled to be one of them. This unique glass experience includes live demonstrations, audience participation, and celebrity appearances! Visit our website for more information on workshops and events with the Mobile Hotshop — details coming soon!
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We look forward to building new relationships as we continue to produce programs that foster discussion between living artists and audiences, provide opportunities for creative professionals of all kinds, and promote economic growth in our city. It is through these valued relationships and connections with museum patrons that our community is able to thrive and share in the power of art. ANYONE interested in collaborating or being involved with The Delaware Contemporary is invited to reach out to us! We would love to work with you to expand our offerings and events.
To learn more about our exhibitions and programs visit: decontemporary.org.
We hope to see you soon!
Tatiana Michels is director of business advancement for Delaware Contemporary.
