Born on the Fourth of July
A little history lesson before we begin. The Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776, but not signed until August 2, though five members signed at a later date. The famous John Trumbull painting of the event (found on the two-dollar bill), is missing 14 signers. A famous and timely example that art is an illusion—a willing suspension of disbelief. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to get out there and appreciate the illusion! All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) the regions only professional theatre company, presents La Cage Aux Folles starring Christopher Peterson, The Sound of Music (opening July 1) and the world premiere of Radio Gaga: A GLEE-ful Music Event (opening July 12). All three shows run Monday- Saturday in two-day rotation through Labor Day. Christopher Peterson’s The Best of Eyecons plays Friday-Sunday nights in July/August after the main-stage shows. Check their website for show schedule and reservations.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) bringing 40 years of live community theater to Delaware.
Rehoboth Concert Band performs at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, Sunday, June 30 with Happy Holiday Week (8 p.m.). Featuring guest soloists: Donna deKuyper (vocalist, Clear Space Theater Company) and Dave Schiff (jazz saxophonist, retired Navy Band Commodores).
Note: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826.
VISUAL ARTS
Galleries marked with an asterisk (*) are members of The Rehoboth Gallery Collective, MOSAIC. Join participating galleries for their next Second Saturdays: Destination Art Walk, July 13 (6-9 p.m.)
*Amandeline Gallery (Galleries at 20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-226-0330) will feature large format oil paintings from realist painter, M.P. Gerald, whose work depicts colorful, sub-marine landscapes, textured feathers and butterfly wings. Through June.
*Anita Peghini-Räber Gallery (49 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2888) Local Naturalistic-Expressionist U.S./Swiss Painter, Anita Peghini-Räber presents Anita’s Easy Art Crit—bring in up to three unfinished paintings. Fridays (3-5 p.m.) $15. Pre-registration required. End-of-Month Saturday Tango De Arte (9 p.m.-1 a.m.) $10. Free Beginner’s class in Argentine Tango (8-9 p.m.) Gallery is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Art for a Purpose, (135 Second Street, second floor, in Lewes; 302-245-4528) is a one-of-a-kind art gallery run by Midge Smith which assists tax-exempt organizations by turning donated art into cash for their unrestricted use. Gallery hours Friday-Sunday.
Barking Dog Gallery (29 Lake Shore Drive; Lewes; 856-577-1411) offering classes in watercolor/zentangle and jewelry by Donna Whiteside. Raining Cats and Dogs: art show featuring artists Anne Buck, Anne Carroll, Linda Chatfield, Val Helgesen, Claire Ingley, Melissa McClean, Keith Steck, Donna Whiteside and Libby Zando working in various media, through July at The Kitchen at Paynter’s Mill (Cave Neck Road in Milton). A percentage of art sales benefit the Georgetown SPCA.
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) presents Out of the Box through July. Opening reception is July 13 from 6-8 p.m.
*Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue) presents new and classic favorite Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming, photography by Jay Fleming, Tony Pratt and Pamela Bieler and hand-blown glass by Deb Appleby.
*Gallery 50/G-50 Fine Art Photography (50 Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) welcomes award-winning, master framer Ed McGann (formerly of Thunderbird Shop & Gallery) as manager. Ed will frame/re-frame your important works of art or your children’s masterpieces. The Michael Fitts’ exhibition opens July 12 with exciting exhibitions ahead— Michael Krausz (former Baltimore Oriole), Scott Christopher, fifth Annual Silent Auction for AIDS Delaware and much more. Glass, sculpture, mixed media, photography, mobiles, ceramic art tiles and more.
The Happyrock Pottery (20 Baltimore Avenue at the Celebration Mall; 410-375-7120) features the work of potter Susan Gladstone. June will feature pottery with clay shell and flip flop adornments. July is “get naked” month with naked Raku!
*Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) hosts the fifth annual Earrings Galore exhibition, featuring “the earring” in all its glory. Earrings in every size, shape, material and concept from 35 artists from the U.S., U.K., Belgium, and the Netherlands—through July. Jewelry-making classes held every Wednesday from noon-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.!
*Juleez (1 North First Street; 302-227-3792) features the unique and vibrant works of Julie Borden including hand-painted cellos, violins, miniature pianos, beautiful acrylic on canvas originals, and giclee prints.
*Paintiques & The Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) presents the work of Sibyl Mackenzie for the month of June. Their theme for this month is By the Sea with great art celebrating the familiar icons of shore life.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Rd in Lewes; 302-645-0551).
*Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Avenue; 302-727-0905) just named “Best Art Gallery” by Delaware Today magazine for the second year in a row! Join them June 28 and 29 (6-9 p.m.) for a new show by abstract artist Deborah Brisker Burk—and new works by Al Lachman, Gary Fisher, Rob Vander Zee, Tara Funk Grim and many more. Come by and see them and learn about the exciting plans for the year.
Proud Bookstore (Baltimore Avenue in Village By the Sea; 302-227-6969) featuring the artwork of Geri Dibiase, Jeffrey Todd Moore, David Kraft, Lynn Finaldi, Michael Gardner, Patrick Keating, and John Gress.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) presents the 75th Annual Members Fine Art Exhibition—showcasing the work of over 150 of its members in the Corkran gallery—June 14-July 14. Anne Hanna is this year’s featured artist. The Exhibition is paired with Heritage Artists: Birth of an Art Community in the historic Homestead gallery.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) Festival Film Reviews: screen film submissions for upcoming Festival every Monday night at South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach (7 p.m.) Admission: Free. Tuesdays through August 6 in the upstairs screening room at Movies at Midway 7 p.m. Admission $2. Cinema by the Canal Outdoor Screening: The Pirates: Band of Misfits—Wednesday, July 10; Here Comes the Boom—Wednesday, July 31. Cinema by the Surf Outdoor Screening: Free film screening at Rehoboth Beach Bandstand—Peter Pan Thursday, July 25.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) featuring the new Beach Eats exhibit. View menus from the Renegade, the Corner Cupboard Inn, Chez La Mer and others. Dive into our history at our local museum. Admission is by donation. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
SprouseART (1 North First Street; 302-542-3242) presents new works by artist Michael Sprouse from the Small Painterly Landscape & Seascape Series exclusively available in the SprouseART section of Juleez.
*Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features works of abstract expressionism in different mediums by Ward Ellinger, Sondra N. Arkin, and Murray Archibald. Come in and see the ever-popular Spiritiles (molten glass on copper) by Houston Llew, beautiful contemporary blown glass menorahs by Shardz Glass, recycled farm equipment transformed into contemporary side tables, hand blown glass, pottery, and metal works by various American artists.
*WibergArt and Studio 3 (20 Baltimore Avenue at the Celebration Mall; 302-226-0206 or 302-245-3615) features renowned marine artist, Jack Wiberg, and his original oils of sailing vessels and ships, as well as the work of Dolores Andrew, Joyce Blakslee, Rose Doster, Wendy Kesler, Melissa McLean, and LaVerne McIntyre.