Every year, the Delaware Division of the Arts deems a select group of artists worthy of its Individual Artist Fellowships. And every year, the Biggs Museum of American Art is the only place to experience work from all of those artists in one place. This year the museum is welcoming both current and former winners for its 10th anniversary of the first exhibit. Award Winners X and its reunion exhibit open at a First Look Party from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 2.
Winners’ art ranges from the abstract to the traditional and runs across media. Delaware painters, photographers, folk artists, sculptors, writers and musicians will fill the museum’s second floor gallery with approximately three pieces per artists. This the first exhibit to incorporate both first and second floors since the museum expanded, so former winners’ works will greet visitors on the first floor.
“It weaves through the lobby, hallway, north gallery — it just blows you away because it’s there just as you walk in the door,” said Sarah DiMondi, marketing and community relations coordinator.
One of those returning is local artist H. Earl Abbott, who will be displaying “October,” a painting of corn stalks on Rose Valley School Road he did in October 2008.
Abbott said his fellowship in 2001 allowed him to take two intense professional development workshops in North Carolina and Vermont. The master classes helped him improve technique and analysis skills. He spent days working with renowned artists, much of that time painting outdoors.
“You get to be aware of the environment,” he said. “I started working on series, and started thinking of doing a whole series of paintings in the same motif.”
In 2004, he fixed his brush on the St. Jones River and produced a lengthy series. It was a direct line from the fellowship to the master classes to the series.
His work is still evolving. He’s still working on developing a notable style, a signature. He pointed to Dover artist Nina Spencer’s works as an example of work that is undoubtedly hers.
Spencer’s bright colors, baptismal scenes and bayou spirit will be recognizable to anyone who’s seen her work before. The effusive painter’s childlike perspective earned her the fellowship for folk art: visual arts.
Spencer is the lone Kent County award winner this year. Lori Crawford, a 2008 winner, will round out the local artists featured in both exhibits.
DiMondi called the show “breathtaking” for its scope and depth.
“This is a good opportunity to celebrate all of this artistic diversity in the state of Delaware,” she said.
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com
