LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Arts |
by Doug Yetter |
It Might as Well be Spring!
Over the winter I took it upon myself to write down several ideas for columns and then fleshed some of them out in an effort to get ahead of the season when I still had some time. What I neglected to realize was that with everything going on in our community, all I was going to have room for in a column was reporting upcoming events. So much for preparation! So much for exposition... The Southern Delaware Choral Society presents Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado in a concert version on May 10-11, at Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown. Local singers Paul Hanke, Dan Tabler, Richard Freeman, John Ranney, Don McCabe, Allison Clendaniel, Marsha Shull, Ann Freeman and Rebecca McDaniel are featured. For tickets call 302-645-2013. The Clear Space Chorus presents, A Grand Night for SingingThe Music of Hollywood at the Little Theatre of Cape Henlopen High in Lewes on Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 and again at Mariner's Bethel UMC at 81 Central Ave in Ocean View on Friday, May 16 at 7:30. The concert includes Over the Rainbow, Three Coins in the Fountain, Windmills of Your Mind, Swingin' on a Star, The Shadow of Your Smile, You'll Never Know, Chattanooga Choo Choo, On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, When You Wish Upon a Star, Chim Chim Cheree, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, You Light Up My Life, Moon River, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing and Lullaby of Broadway. Featured are soloists Erin Williams and Ken Skrzesz. Tickets will be available at the door, through the box office at 302-644-3810 or at ClearSpaceProductions.org. Broadway star, Deidre Goodwin, comes to the beach in a one-woman show featuring songs and stories from her career in the Little Theatre of Cape Henlopen High on Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 and Sunday, June 1 at 3:00. Ms. Goodwin is currently starring in the revival of A Chorus Line and has appeared opposite Melanie Griffith in Chicago (as well as in the film), with Antonio Bandaras and Chita Rivera in Nine, Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Boys From Syracuse, Smoky Joe's Caf, and Funny Girl. Tickets are available by calling 302-644-3810 or online at ClearSpaceProductions.org. I'm happy to announce the beginning of a new consortium of art Galleries at the beach. Galleries included in this new group are Aerie Art Gallery, Amandeline Gallery, Coastal Frameshop, Detail, Galleria Tango, Gallery 50, Heidi Lowe, Kennedy Gallery, Panache, Philip Morton, Thunderbird Shop and Gallery, and Ward Ellinger Gallery. Mosaic, The RB Gallery Collective is launching an exciting new art event at the beach. Mosaic's "Second Saturday" kicks off Saturday, May 10 from 6-9 p.m., with receptions and events held at fine art galleries throughout town. For more information about Mosaic, please check the new website at www.RehobothMosaic.com Coastal Frameshop and Gallery (4284 Highway One) owners Lee Wayne Mills and Don Gardiner proudly announce Entr'acte: a Pause to Look Backward and Forward by Rehoboth Beach artist Robert B. Wright, former president of the Rehoboth Art League. The survey of fine original prints provides a wonderful parade of Wright's most popular works from each decade of the artist's production. At 90, he remains a vital practitioner of a legendary art form. These works, already collectors' items, will be the last works available before the plates are retired. Come see this remarkable body of work. The exhibition runs through June 1st. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00 and Sunday from Noon to 4:00. For more information call: 302-227-8704 or visit them online at www.coastalframeshopandgallery.com Local artist Michael Muller (also co-owner of Detail relocating to 54 Baltimore Avenue), is featured in a New York exhibition at MDH Finearts located in Chelsea on 19th Street. The body of work created for this show is a tribute and parody of American Regionalist, Grant Wood. I interviewed Mike about the new collection. DY: Give me some back-story for the creation of this collection. MM: The story is, "Once upon a time there was talk of a magical house. Set deep in the woods, those who lived there led their lives in freedom and joy, but as in all of life, not excluding sorrow." It's the stuff of legends and fantasy. DY: Elaborate about the creation and inspiration of your Grant Wood series? MM: While working on a picture of a gardening friend I decided I wanted to do something about outdoor lifestyles but as I worked, the color palette and background kept reminding me of WPA paintings of the 30s. I researched regional painters of the period and found Grant Wood. His "American Gothic" represents that type of regionalism as well as his quirky sense of humor. DY: How would you describe your technique? MM: Right now I call myself a "digital collage artist." I started by manipulating images in the darkroom, but was always attracted to collage. I photograph models, digitally remove them and put them in an environment made by taking bits and pieces of other photos and reconstructing them. Sometimes one photo can be composed of 40 images or more. DY: Where did you find your models? MM: The trick is getting them to actually model as my work involves male nudes. I love using the nude figure as areference to classical paintings and putting them out of context in the new made-up environments. DY: How many pieces in this series? MM: Fifteen, which are limited to an edition of thirteen for each piece. The current collection, as well as other works by Mr. Muller can be viewed online at: mdhfinearts.com. Make sure you visit when the new gallery is open! Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue) hosts Transitions, an abstract seascape show, by Pat Whitehead running thru May 13. An opening reception for Rick Bach, featuring his "Recent Works on Paper," will be on Saturday, May 10. This also launches the first "Second Saturday" event by Mosaic, at Gallery 50. For more information call (302) 227-2050 or visit on-line at 50contemporaryart.com. The Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres) has the following exhibitions running May 2 through June 1 with an opening reception on Friday, May 2 from 5-7 p.m. Wild Delaware: Recent Photographs by Kevin Fleming. A Delaware native, Kevin spent a decade as a National Geographic photographer and has recently been recognized as America's Best Observer by Readers Digest. Timeline: Mixed Media Work by Nancy Linden in the Corkran Gallery. Currently living in Baltimore, Nancy's work includes figurative oil painting, charcoal drawing, collage and site-specific installation. As Safe as Yesterday Is: Oil Paintings by Bruce Garrity in the Tubbs Gallery. Bruce's work is focused on the woodland interior as a site for events that stem from memories of experiences as a child, an adolescent, and an adult. Dis/Order: Paintings by Hylarie McMahon in the Ventures Gallery.Hylarie is Professor Emerita of Art at Washington University in St. Louis. She is represented in various private and corporate collections and in the US Government's Art in Embassies Program. For more information call 302-227-8408 or visit them online at rehobothartleague.org That should keep us all busy for the month of May! Get out there and support the arts. Doug Yetter is Artistic Director of the Clear Space Theatre Company. Email him at dyetter@clearspaceproductions.org. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 04 May 02, 2008 |