SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. -- The popular Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour will launch its 11th annual event on Friday and Saturday. Nov. 25 and 26, the weekend after Thanksgiving. As in the past, the event will be free and open to the public from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
It is a self-guided tour of the studios of 16 of Delaware's most talented artists and artisans -- all in southeastern Sussex County. In addition to the opportunities to purchase original arts and crafts in time for the winter holidays, the tour participants will also be continuing their "Art in the Hat" raffle. Chances can be purchased from each studio on the tour; however, this year, chances can also be purchased ahead of time by downloading raffle forms from the tour's Web site at www.artstudiotour.com. Tickets cost $10 each or three for $25. All proceeds from the raffle are given to art programs in the local area.
New to the tour this year is Damon Pla, a recent transplant from Florida, who specializes in custom murals, trompe l'oeil, faux finishing, painted furniture as well as original paintings.
A welcome return to the tour after a year's absence is Allene Martinez with her knife-applied oil paintings of local scenes as well as of Spain and Paris.
An original member of the tour, woodturner Tom Frey, continues to find new expressions in local wood such as the winged vessel from a Big Leaf Maple burl that was purchased this summer by the Biggs Museum, Dover for their collection.
Laura Hickman, another original member of the tour, will continue to exhibit her "lightscapes" pastel paintings of "real places driving a certain time and season of light." Hickman was recognized this year for her life's work by the Arts and Humanities Award from Delaware Technical & Community College in Georgetown.
Watercolorist Anne Hanna has a long and varied career as a teacher and exhibitor. While living in Laurel, Md., she was a volunteer art teacher in the Prince George's County Public Schools and the official portrait painter for the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Her recent work specializes in wildlife and dominant flower paintings.
The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, glass artist Justin Cavagnaro uses a variety of old-world and modern glass working methods to create sculptural pieces that emphasize depth, layers, light transference and the relationship between interior and exteriors.
Ceramic artist Kim Doughty, also a former teacher at the Corning Museum, uses both the wheel and handbuilding to create utilitarian objects and sculptural vessels that are accented with brilliantly colored oxides. Fellow glass artist Philip Adkins, who attended the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa., with Doughty and Cavagnaro, enjoys the glass making process "as much as, if not more, than the finished product. He feels it "is a medium that ... expresses life."
Native Delawarean Barbara Deitrick has pursued art in many forms in order to become a full-time painter from painting props for the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre Club to teaching at the Christiana School District to owning her own art gallery for eight years. Deitrick paints in various media and presently focuses on landscapes.
Beginning with huge sheets of clay, ceramic artist Judie Campanelli creates table water fountains, garden art and seascape wallhangings. Her recent series of "ancient-ones" vessels have designs incised from pieces of her life such as a jagged piece of pipestone from her maternal family's Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
Tara Funk Grim, teacher and painter, has had an open-to-the-public studio presence in Bethany Beach for six years, but her real love is painting outdoors whether it is Indian River Inlet or Cornwall, England.
"I love painting outside, declaring what it is that I love or feel, and then setting forth on the adventure of paint and canvas." The canvas can also be her rideable, hand-painted surfboards.
Well-known local potter, Sabie Carey, is also an original tour member. She brings a delicate touch to her distinctive and extensive line of functional pottery including her popular wine-related items with handcarved grapevine motif.
Another original tour member is the diverse teacher and painter Jennifer Carter. Carter, who teaches full-time at Gonzaga High School, Washington, D.C., is noted for her house portraits, nature photography and works in watercolor and oils.
Weaver Amy Kaufman has followed the garment making process from raising the wool-bearing animal to shearing and processing to creating the final product. Her skillful use of color, texture pattern and design is sewn in a constantly changing line of beautiful garments and accessories.
lnternationally recognized painter Ellen Rice is also a participant in the first studio tour. Known for her renderings of local landmarks, she is also highly regarded for the emotions in her paintings of "peace, calm, joy and light."
Grant Massey, whose copper lamps with animals on top and swirly posts on bottom, is an original member of tour and a second-career artist. He has an extensive line of garden pieces, lights and mobiles. One of his mobiles was purchased for the permanent collection of the American Embassy in Ottawa.
Bethany Beach: Baja Beach House Grill, Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, Bethany Blues, Cottage Cafe, DiFebo's Restaurant, Hugh H. Hickman & Sons, Isabella's, Japanesque, Parkway Restaurant, Sea Needles, Sedona, Tara Funk Grim Studio Art Gallery.
Rehoboth Beach: Atlantic Color Lab, Coastal Frame Shop & Gallery, Fusion, Made Ya Look! Salon/Spa, Rehoboth Art & Framing, Rehoboth Art League, Robert Thomas Salon.
Over the past seven years, the raffle has raised nearly $19,000, which has all been given to art programs in Sussex County schools. The money raised this year will continue this tradition. Last year, the $3,360 raised was given to the Lord Baltimore Elementary School for a weaving project; Selbyville Middle School for the purchase art books and supplies; and the Center for Visual and Performing Arts at Sussex Central High School for a printing press.
Each of the 16 artists and artisans on the tour has donated a piece of work for the raffle. lmages of the pieces, photos of the artists and maps can be found on the tour's Web site www.artstudiotour.com.
The total value of the donated pieces is more than $3,000. Chances can be purchased from each studio on the tour; however, this year, they can also be purchased ahead of time by downloading raffle forms from the tour Web site. Tickets cost $10 each or 3 for $25.
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