Our Town Revisited: Millsboro Artistry

DELAWARE – Now we’re taking our flash to the past when former WMDT anchor and reporter Kelly Rouse visited the Art League in Millboro Delaware, to see why is was such an attraction in the community.

Millsboro Art League: 1999

She wrote: For a small town, there’s big talent in Millsboro. beautiful art hangs on the art league gallery walls, all done by league members.  Member Alice Hudson has been around for a while. “Well, we started the Art League 10 years ago. There are a lot of local artists around the neighborhood, all around the area, particularly around the Longneck area; newcomers coming in. We thought that would help bring them into the community too. And it has.”

The art league has 166 members and offers continual workshops with instructors and artists coming from as far as Philadelphia. She says it is partially funded by the Delaware endowment of the arts and partially through donations, and membership is only ten dollars.  “It is a community project. We will be having children’s art classes beginning July 17th and running through the second week in August. We want to reach out to the community with the arts.”

Alice says they are excited about the future, especially since they have their own building now. The building itself has been a work in progress, starting out as a church, becoming the library, and now the art league.

Artistry in Millsboro

Now, 25 years later, the Millsboro Art League is no longer in existence. However, they have a local artist who’s in league of her own. Over 2 decades ago, the building that currently stands was the home of Art League in Greater Millsboro. Now, it the town’s Chamber of Commerce.

League to Legacy 

Despite the fact it’s no longer active, Executive Director for the Millsboro Chamber of Commerce Nadine Timpanaro says the town is full of creativity. “Good things are happening here, and we look forward to more good things happening, and creating events that can help businesses here… Being a beautiful town with a lot of hidden treasures as far as like birding and hiking. That just brings all the elements together… I hope we can stay here; this is the town’s building. There’s a lot of history in this building”

Stars & Stripes

With a population of around 7600, the town has musical artists, and Nadine says they even uses fireworks to paint the sky once a year.  “We have something coming up in June which is a big event, June 28th and we have a Stars & Stripes celebration for the community, and it attracts thousands of people from the area.”

Barn to Business

From culinary arts, and hairstylist to floral displays, and stained glass. Whether antiques or architecture there’s expression in every corner, like Cindy’s Wicked Stitch Shop just outside of downtown, says Nadine. “She has transformed a barn that was on her property into the most gorgeous little shop. She does a lot of hand work, it’s just amazing.”

Resident, business owner, Chamber of commerce member, and musician by trade Cindy- Lee DiMeglio is an artist is more ways than one and a perfect example of one taking her talent to the street, and one who takes her art to heart.

“To me it’s the journey, it’s all about the journey and just imagining a baby laying and being warm on a blanket, or someone taking something out of the microwave… It’s just, it’s fun, it’s not a job, it’s not a career, it’s what I love to do.”

Cindy’s Crafts

Whether it’s done by hand, or her handy machine, Cindy says the designs and colors that come through her work are distinct, unique, and can last a lifetime. “If you look at any of mine, very rarely are they basically the entire pattern of a pattern. I love to just let my imagination grow and go with whatever I’m feeling.”

Cindy’s Wicked Stitch has been in businesses since 2015 and this quilt shop that has a lot to offer. “I have a lot of household items, such as oven Mits, double oven Mits, and trivets and placemats and candle pads. I also have large totes I call them mega bags and they’re a really big seller.”

Be it pillows, antique cradle sets, key chains, Table runners, or a handmade quilt, Cindy-Lee is just hoping to put a bit of art in your heart. If you’re interested in purchasing a quilt visit her website.

The city of Millsboro has amazing town and your can find art in almost every corner, for more information on the town click here.