Spotlight on the Arts
CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at the Heart of Our Community
ART & AIDS—A Story To Be Told
Despite the busy-ness of the season, please make time to stop by CAMP Rehoboth to see this meaningful exhibition before it closes on January 6. The exhibit is designed to promote dialogue and raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS—loss, anger, and isolation, as well as survival and hope. The show includes works by documentary photographer Vincent Cianni, who photographed what he saw during the early days of the AIDS crisis, as well as six community members who share relevant interpretive works. It also includes a work by Eric K. Lerner, an HIV-positive artist who died in 2021.
Images: A Promise to Protect, A Promise to Provide by Dan Bartasavich; Redemption Through Love by Jane Knaus.
CAMP Rehoboth highlights our community’s unique history and culture, and serves to further diversity, equity, and inclusion by building unity and understanding. Exhibits may be viewed Monday-Friday (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). You may view and purchase the art on the CAMP website under the “SHOP” heading.
SAVE THE DATES
Ignite the Light
As part of the Black History Month celebration, CAMP Rehoboth will host Ignite the Light—a group show opening January 18, with an artist reception on Saturday, January 21 (2:00-4:00 p.m.). This exhibit features artists of color sharing how they have awakened their inner power to create inspiring art.
CAMP Rehoboth takes pride in the quality and growth we have experienced over our many years hosting exhibitions for Black History Month. We are thrilled to announce our 2023 exhibition will be juried by Lori Crawford. Lori is an Associate Professor of Art at Delaware State University, was awarded a Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship in 2008, and has exhibited at many museums and galleries, including the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Rehoboth Art League, and CAMP Rehoboth. Join us in celebrating these talented artists! ▼
artist SPOTLIGHT
Santa Claus
Doug Yetter: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Santa. I know how very busy you are! Before we continue, I need to verify that you really are Santa Claus.
Santa Claus: The one and only! Though I have many different names depending on the country. The Dutch call me Sinterklaas, in Germany I’m Kris Kringle, and in France—Pѐre Noël. I’m also called Father Christmas, Babbo Natale, and St. Nicholas. No matter what language you speak, or where you live, you’ll always know me by the spirit of love and joy I bring to people all over the world.
DY: Santa, if you are the one and only, how are you everywhere I go? You’re at the mall, or ringing a bell outside the grocery store, or making special appearances at schools and hospitals. Explain that, please.
SC: With a little Christmas magic I can move very quickly. I also depend on many helpers who dress like me and make sure that every child’s Christmas wish is reported. But there is only one Santa Claus, and I spend most of my day at Macy’s on 34th Street in New York City.
DY: How did you end up at Macy’s?
SC: Well, that’s a funny story! It was about 186—ah—1, I believe. Cranberry the Elf reads newspapers from all over the world, looking for anything of interest about the holiday season. One morning, Cranberry bursts into my office and announces she’s found an advertisement in the New York Times from Macy’s department store. “Boys and Girls, and Children of ALL ages. Join us this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in our toy department and meet the one and only Santa Claus!” But Cranberry said I had no such appointment on my calendar.
DY: Oh, my gosh! It’s unlike you or Macy’s to make a mistake like that! What happened?
SC: I was shaken to the core of my jolly old soul! I’m pretty old and have to rely on my elves to help me remember just about everything. Cranberry sent a telegram to Mr. Macy and told him I was available. That was when R. H.—his friends all call him R. H.—said he’d be delighted to have me visit with the children at his store. He greeted me with cookies and hot cocoa and let me park my sleigh on the roof. R. H. and I became the best of friends that day—Santa never passes up a good cookie or free parking! I’ve been there ever since.
DY: Santa, that makes me wonder…how old are you?
SC: Ho, ho, ho! When children ask me that question, I always give the same answer—“I am as old as my tongue, and a little older than my teeth!” Well, Doug, Cranberry tells me it’s time to get back to work. Oh! I almost forgot. What do you want for Christmas?
DY: Peace on earth, Santa.
SC: You and me both, Doug. You and me both. ▼
Doug is the Artistic Director of CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and Minister of Music at Epworth UMC. Contact him at dougyetter@gmail.com.