Our Town Revisited: Rehoboth Beach Art League
REHOBOTH, Del. – It’s time to take our flash back to the past, this time in Rehoboth. Former Anchor and Reporter Kelly Rouse visited the Art League to get a better view.
Art League: 1999
There’s as much for the eye inside as out on the art league grounds. the natural setting lends way to another world inside exhibition rooms that are packed with a rich variety of art. Director Nancy Alexander says the league is for anyone who likes art. “The wonderful part about the Art League is that even if you’re just trying something for the first time…if you’re a member you can hang your artwork on the wall, or we can put it here on a pedestal.”
Rehoboth Beach has a long history as an art colony. Art League founder, Louise Chambers Corkran began bringing artist to the homestead from other areas in the late ’30s. “Artists have always been drawn to the special quality of the light on the region, the beautiful scenery from the Lewes Canal all the way to the waves on the beach that we all look at when we walk on the boardwalk. It is an area that attracts artists and people who do love art.”
Painting, Portraits, and Pottery
Established in 1939, this area has seen its share of art… and artists. Over 2 decades later, we touch base with the Rehoboth Art league, walk their historic grounds, and the current director gives a full picture.
The Art League Executive Director says, A lot of things that can be done at the Art League in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. “Many people show up and say, ‘I never knew this was here.’ Even if they’re a local or sort of new to the area. So, I think we’re sort of a hidden gem for most people.”
Sarah Ganter has been the Director for the past 10 years, but has been an admirer all her life, and she’s not the only one. “We were founded as a summer arts place for people that were vacationing in the area. But we operate year-round. so, we have galleries on campus, we have several classrooms, we offer over 200 classes a year.”
Art Appreciation
The art leagues campus of 3 and a half acres includes 5 buildings, a garden, their historic wheel, and a beautiful stone arch. The Peter Marsh homestead built in 1743 is on the National Registry for historic places. She says most of this was here 25 years ago, but there have been a few changes.
“Over the course of the past 25 years, we’ve updated our facilities. The pottery studio has had major improvements. What used to be sort of an outdoor screen and porch area has moved to an enclosed building. So, we improved that so potters can work year-round.”
With over 800 pieces of fine art, they are well- known for their traditional approach to art education. “So, the galleries are always free and open to the public, you do not have to be a member to come in, you can just enter and enjoy the artwork. Exhibits turn over every 4 weeks or so. So, you will see something new here every time you come.”
Popular Pottery
The Art league offers a writer’s group, digital print studio, and a sketch group with live models. Ganter says Pottery is the most popular, and though they operate on a small staff, they sure get a lot done.
“We have one of the bigger pottery studios in the region. Its volunteer operated and that’s busy every day of the week…. We have about 1500 active members right now; there are benefits for members including class discounts… We have 5 full time staff members, and 6 part-time staff members right now. But we use more than 100 volunteers a year to get all of our projects and programs done.”
The work on display is from artist all over the U.S. but definitely have a focus on the locals, and she says this is a place the entire family can enjoy. “We just wrapped up or annual Young at Art show, and that brought more than 30 schools from Sussex County contributed artwork to that… That’s always our most popular show every year. And that displayed the work of more than 250 students here.”
Expect Exhibitions
They’ve been standing strong for the past 87 years, and Ganter says Looking ahead to the next 25 years they hope to keep up with the times and maintain their traditions. “We certainly want to continue improving our facilities, we’re in the middle of a 3-phase master campus plan where we’re improving the visitor experience.”
And they hope you get a chance to stop on by. The 87th annual Members Fine Art Exhibition will take pace July 18 through august 17th and is open to the public. For more information on that event or their facility you can visit their website.
