Inaugural ARTumn Festival showcases products/services from local artisans
MILLSBORO, Del. – “I said wouldn’t it be so cool to have an ARTumn fest. Like Autumn but with art,” Millsboro Art League Treasure & Event Coordinator Manelski said.
Paintings, jewelry, and handmade clothing were just some of the things up for grabs at the Millsboro Art League’s inaugural ARTumn Festival at Millsboro Middle School. “In the past several years we’ve had some difficulties, especially with the pandemic. So, we really want to make a big comeback in a big way and supporting our local artists in meaningful and impactful ways,” Manelski said.
The day also included a raffle and silent auction, with proceeds going right back into the community to support the art league’s programming and their rebranding efforts. “At one time it was thriving in this community. It really was the nucleus for arts here and we want to be that again,” Manelski said.
Shelby Workman, owner of The Brazen Brim and Co., transforms your everyday hats into wearable pieces of art.
She tells us events like this give her the opportunity to share her work with the masses. “Even growing up my mom knew that I was going to be in some kind of artistic field of somesort. I’ve always been a very creative person,” Workman said.
“Some of them are inspired by trendy, fashion things that are going on right now.”
Workman says it’s not just customers that she’s gaining. “You have people coming into your tent constantly telling that ‘oh this would be cool with this if you did this.’ It sparks new ideas. So it’s not you just coming here to show them what you can do, they’re bringing you something too,” Workman said.
The Millsboro Art League has been exposing the community to arts and culture for over three decades and they want local creatives to know they have resources right in their own backyard.
“And just feel good about their art no matter what that is whether its watercolors, oils, or even performing arts. We have things that we want to bring to the community in a big way,” Manelski said.
Organizers tell us that this may have been their ARTumn festival but due to the strong community support it won’t be the last.
To find out more about the upcoming events for the art league, click here
