City Of Wilmington: The Next Wilmington Art Loop 2022 Opens Tomorrow, Friday, February 4

Press release from the City of Wilmington:

02/03/2022 4:00 PM

Twelve galleries in and around Wilmington will participate in this month’s event Twelve galleries in and around Wilmington will participate in this month’s event      

Marpessa Dawn by Erica Jones at the Redding Gallery

Marpessa Dawn

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, City Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz, and Jerry duPhily of Out & About Magazine invite City residents and art lovers from around the region to the next Art Loop Wilmington on Friday, February 4. The popular FREE art exhibition, now in its 33rd year, is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Out & About. Twelve galleries in and around Wilmington will participate in this month’s Art Loop. A complete list can be found in the February issue of Out and About.

Wilmington’s Redding Gallery, located at 800 North French Street, presents the work of Erica Jones, an acrylic painter whose work highlights the women in Black history who have paved the way for generations to come and embark on a journey in their careers while radiating grace, beauty, and poise. Ms. Jones will attend an Art Loop meet-and-greet reception on Friday, February 4th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
 
Other featured establishments in February include The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery, The Grand Opera House, The Delaware Contemporary, and the Music School of Delaware.
 
The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery, located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, at 820 North French Street, is pleased to present artist Shari Dierkes’ exhibition, On Display II, from February 4 through 25, 2022. A resident of Clayton, Delaware, Dierkes was named a 2021 Emerging Artist Fellow in the category of Crafts. The artist will host a free opening reception on Friday, February 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Out & About Magazine Out & About Redding Gallery Mezzanine Gallery

 Glorification of Motherhood by Shari Dierkes at the Mezzanine Gallery

Glorification of Motherhood 

On Display II is a visual storytelling of Dierkes’ artistic journey that includes some of her previous work; her Artist Fellowship application collection; and new works created as a result of the Fellowship. She chose the title, she says, to play on the vulnerability she has experienced displaying her art — the graphic embodiment of her inner thoughts — in a public forum.

On Display II

“My curiosity about the realities of human life include a deep dive into behavior, psychology, and relationships, and the conversations these elements have with each other,” she notes. “My hope is that viewers get a sense of how the parts of our existence work together, even if not always in harmony. We are imperfect systems.”

The Grand Opera House, located at 818 North Market Street, will present the work of two artists, Craig Hable and Ray Magnani. The Grand Gallery will present an exhibition of works by artist Craig Hable that reflect his belief that art is primarily a therapeutic endeavor. Whether wholly abstract or referencing a recognizable subject, these are works that simply reflect time spent having fun. The show runs through Monday, February 28, 2022. Meanwhile, the baby grand Gallery will feature photographs by Ray Magnani. Show hours are from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. All patrons will be COVID screened at the door for entry. Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the event is required.

The Grand Opera House

Pursuing Serenity by Craig Hable     

Pursuing Serenity

 Every Image with a Different Lens by Ray Magnani

Every Image with a Different Lens

The Delaware Contemporary, at 200 South Madison Street, invites you to its Winter/Spring 2022 Season: Narrative. What defines the elements of a narrative? Narratives can be shared, and therefore multidimensional, or entirely individual, occurring through our subconscious. The natural passing of events connects us to collective histories, while personal storytelling can be developed and appropriated through constructed lenses. This season, The Delaware Contemporary questions the multifaceted nature of narrative. How are personal histories and experiences shared through artistic methods? What are the nuances of ownership in those narratives? How do we define ourselves through storytelling to understand the human experience and connect with one another?
 
This event will be accessible both virtually and in-person. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to monitor COVID safety guidelines.

The Delaware Contemporary

The Bridal Party by Daisy Patton

The Bridal Party

The Music School of Delaware, at 4101 North Washington Street, proudly presents “Diamond Art Painting” by Patricia Kemp, which will be exhibited through Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to-Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday to Saturday.

Patricia Kemp is a resident of Kent County whose recent passion has been Diamond Art Painting, a mosaic art form in which the artist creates a painting by sticking small resins that sparkle like diamonds, on a canvas that has corresponding numbers printed by all the colors of the diamonds. Patricia picked up this hobby at the start of the pandemic, after she had heard about it online, and decided to give it a try. With nearly 100 diamond paintings completed, she has become an expert in her craft.

Cardinal by Patricia Kemp

Cardinal

COVID GUIDELINES
All visitors are expected to confirm and follow COVID guidelines as determined by individual galleries.
 
Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of two shuttles, which leave the parking lot of The Delaware Contemporary, located at 200 South Madison Street, at 5:45 p.m. The shuttles provide round-trip transportation to either Downtown Art Loop venues or locations in Trolley Square and venues north of Downtown and are a convenient way to meet other art lovers. Shuttle drivers will be on-hand at The Contemporary to answer questions and help art enthusiasts navigate the many offerings of Art Loop Wilmington. Reservations are not required.

The Wilmington Art Loop is a self-guided exhibition of visual art displayed at galleries, studios, museums, and alternative spaces in and around Wilmington. The FREE event draws local and regional art lovers to the Downtown District and greater Wilmington area on the first Friday of the month except for Independence Day Weekend in July. Many venues offer opportunities to meet the featured artists while patrons enjoy refreshments, and, in some cases, live entertainment is scheduled.
 
Art Loop Wilmington’s website – a hand-held guide to the Loop that is easily navigable by gallery location, artist, or type of venue – is mobile friendly and features the monthly lineup at least two weeks prior to the start of each Art Loop. The site can be accessed at www.artloopwilmington.org.  People can also join the conversation on social media by using #ArtLoopWilm or visit the Facebook Page. The next Art Loop will take place on Friday, March 4, 2022.

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES: 

John Rago
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor
Mobile: (302) 420-7928
Email: jrago@wilmingtonde.gov 

This press release was produced by the City of Wilmington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.