The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover recently opened “Award Winners XXIII,” the annual exhibition celebrating the Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellows.
This is the 23rd consecutive year the Biggs has served as the opening venue. The 17 award winners for 2023 were selected from more than 100 applicants across the state based on their outstanding skill and creativity by a panel of nationally recognized artists. Winners are accomplished in a diverse range of media including visual arts, writing, and music.
One of the honorees is Bryant “Tee” Bell, an artist known for his distinctive portraits with bold colors and stylized backgrounds. The Dover native is the son of a professional artist and sign painter.
After retiring from his career in insurance and work in development at Delaware State University, Bell turned to painting as a relaxing creative outlet. Bell enjoys painting distinct features in his subjects, such as wrinkles and elaborate clothing, from which he creates a larger story about the person’s life.
His paintings are inspired by his appreciation for studying history and his deep interest in people. While he acknowledges that parts of the American past are ugly, he sees art as a way to address important issues and create a better world.
“History is what it is,” he says. “What do you want the future to be?”
In “The More Things Change,” Bell draws inspiration from the figures who fought for Civil Rights, such as the Freedom Riders. The painting is a call to action for people to exercise their rights and continue to advocate for justice.
In each of his paintings, Bell hopes that viewers will find something that resonates with them. Through his work, he also wants to encourage other individuals who may be older or shy to put their art into the world. Bell sees painting as a journey of lifelong learning and constant experimentation.
Other Artist Fellows selected this year include folk musician Michael Miller from Felton and creative nonfiction writer Liz DeJesus from Wilmington.
Working across different media, these artists’ distinct work shares a sense of authenticity.
Miller has worked as a folklorist for the state of Delaware.
His interest in community history comes through in his music, which he hopes can “be accessible to everyone, simply because we all share our human experience.”
For DeJesus, who is originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Delaware as a teenager, receiving this award is the result of years of perseverance and dedication.
DeJesus is open about her familiarity with mental health struggles and the adversity she has overcome. These challenges led her to writing, and she taps into some of memories and feelings associated with those experiences in her work. She says, “I want to bring these topics to the light and show people that it’s all a part of life.”
TAHIRA, an acclaimed storyteller from Claymont, is an honoree in the category of “Folk Arts: Oral Literature.” Inspired by the traditions of the African Diaspora and love of her family, her engaging performances often bring music, gesture, and words together to create what she calls a “communal” experience. TAHIRA says that receiving this award “ for being my authentic self and sharing my gifts and talents is truly an honor.
Another artist who brings multiple media together in her work is Charlese Phillips of Smyrna. Many of her pieces combine painting and fiber arts, such as weaving and macramé to create portraits of figures that she finds inspiring, including actresses like Michaela Coel and Quinta Brunson. A high school art teacher, Phillips says seeing her work in a museum “means the world to” her.
Each of the Delaware artists in this year’s exhibition share an immense talent to create connections between people.
Their work shows the power art holds to inspire, encourage and build community. Visitors likely will find the work both surprising and relatable, and they may be motivated to create their own art.
Award Winners XXIII is on view until Sept. 24 at the Biggs.
In addition, it will be accompanied by shows at CAMP Rehoboth (Aug. 10 to Sept. 8) and Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington (Oct. 2 to Nov. 3), providing the opportunity to experience the work of these talented artists across the state.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Biggs is offering free admission throughout this exhibition. The museum is located on Dover’s Historic Green at 406 Federal St., and its hours of operation are Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Victoria Kenyon is a doctoral student in Art History at the University of Delaware and a Summer Fellow at the Biggs Museum of American Art.
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