Summer School—I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write
Speaking of writers….Christopher Hitchens famously said, “Everyone does have a book in them, but in most cases that’s where it should stay.” But if you’re longing to add “writer” to your resume, here are some suggestions:
August 1 is the deadline for writers (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction) to apply for a fellowship (established or emerging) with the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA). These fellowships are awarded annually to writers who live in Delaware. No entry fee. For guidelines and more information, visit their website.
August 15 is the deadline for poets to apply for the annual Dogfish Head Poetry Prize. No entry fee. Recipient receives a prize of $500, publication of their manuscript into a full-length book by the Broadkill River Press, and two cases of Dogfish head craft beer. For information, write to Linda Blaskey, Contest Coordinator or visit the website.
In addition, readers can check out Browseabout Books (133 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-226-2665), which supports writers throughout the year by hosting readings and book signings by local authors (and some not-so-local). These events are usually held on weekends.
If you’re still honing your craft or looking to network with other writers, check out the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild’s monthly Tuesday evening readings and their Art in the A.M. programs (first Wednesday of every month).
Because I was (and still am) one of those oddballs who adored everything about school and learning, I have always hated summer. In an effort to keep my burgeoning brain active, I set the record for the most avid teen reader in the Denver Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, though I lost the title after discovering John Steinbeck and trying to read everything he wrote in one summer. I couldn’t digest The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden quickly enough to maintain the pace I had established in previous years.
This summer I’ve downloaded The Essential Classics to my Kindle—a collection made possible only through the wonders of technology, as trying to carry War and Peace, Great Expectations, Moby Dick, and Les Misérables in one book bag would necessitate a live-in chiropractor. So, gentle reader, I urge you put down that vodka and soda and stimulate your cerebral cortex with a minimum of two events listed here. All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted. ▼
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS
Call for Artists: Scratched
Everyone has an itch to scratch; what’s yours? CAMP Rehoboth is thrilled to announce the very “beary” art show, Scratched—which may answer the question or inspire new ones. This exciting and unique annual event is held in conjunction with the Rehoboth Beach Bears Weekend, and features works by area artists depicting the bear/cub community. Deadline for submission is August 4. More information on the website. Paintings, photographs, multimedia art, and smaller 3-D works will be considered. On display September 3-23, with a reception Saturday, September 22, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Next at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery
Opening soon is a traveling group show featuring the work of the 2018 Individual Artist Fellows—August 3-26, with a reception to recognize the artists of all disciplines Thursday, August 9 (5:30–7:30 p.m.). Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellowships recognize artists for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards. Individual Artist Fellows, which include choreographers, composers, musicians, writers, and visual artists, are publicly acknowledged and benefit from the additional exposure to their work. Readings and performances will be included at the August 9 reception. Let the work of these talented artists transform you!
Here’s a little on four of the talented artists who received Fellowships.
Sculptor Dennis Beach takes materials such as plywood and paint and transforms them into objects that “combine the beauty and order that I mine from our natural world. I edit, simplify, and bring out the essential elements from the everyday observation of nature. I abstract and synthesize these shapes, colors, repetitions, and motions into physical pieces that can become both visually exciting and contemplative.”
Painter Thomas Del Porte’s work is characterized by “a realism that stands on top of a thick textured world,” partially influenced by his life-long mentor, beloved Delaware painter Edward Loper. The younger artist first studied and then painted with Loper “as colleagues and friends until the day he died.” Del Porte also studied at The Barnes Foundation while it was still in Merion, PA. And as it did for him when he was young, museum going still proves to be a major source of inspiration.
Exploring issues of appearance, identity, and sexuality, painter Lauren E. Peters has studied the legendary statue of Venus de Milo, making that marble icon the subject of her college thesis exhibition. Peters’ current work is a series of large-scale self-portraits painted from a single photograph. “I was raised to think that being female came with a strict set of boundaries, and I didn’t always feel like I fit into those. Art was the thing that fully challenged me.”
Rehoboth Beach writer Maribeth Fischer’s favorite aspect of writing is “wrestling with a subject, grappling with it, trying to pin it down even as it slips from my grasp.” Fischer, a former creative writing instructor, also acts as the executive director of Writers at the Beach, a biannual writers’ conference, and as the president of the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild. At the August 9 artists’ reception, Fischer shares from her works “Happiness,” The Life You Longed For, and “The Fiction Writer.”
PERFORMING ARTS
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) has their summer repertory season: Footloose, Mary Poppins, and The Rocky Horror Show (Monday—Saturday), the Delaware Comedy Theatre’s post-show, The Late-R Night Show (selected Saturdays), their Summer Children’s Theatre (11 a.m. Saturdays), or sign up your “star of tomorrow” for one of their outstanding summer camps. The ever-popular Well-Strung Quartet takes the stage August 5.
Freeman Stage (31750 Lake View Drive, Selbyville; 800-840-9227) is an open-air venue offering a fantastic mix of shows: July 28: Mary Chapin Carpenter; August 2: Gin Blossoms; August 3: The Beach Boys; August 4: Classic Albums Live: Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers; August 6: The Piano Guys; August 9: O.A.R.—Just Like Paradise Tour; August 10: Cheap Trick; August 11: An Evening with Vince Gill; August 16: Voodoo Threauxdown featuring Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; August 17: Step Afrika!; August 18: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox; August 19: Soja. They also have several FREE family shows on Saturday mornings and week nights.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St., Milton; 302-684-3038) has something on its calendar for everyone! July 27: Roo Brown and Joe Holt; July 28: The Johnny Cash Experience by Terry Lee Goffee; August 3: Delaware Comedy Theatre; August 4: Beatlemania Now; August 9: Connor Filicko; August 11: Peek-a-Boo Revue (18+ only); August 17/18: The Calamari Sisters in “Beat Until Stiff”; August 23: Psychic Medium Deanna Fitzpatrick. We’re all wishing Fred and the gang the best as they begin their $2.5 million capital campaign to purchase the theater and make significant renovations!
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean; 302-644-2288) celebrates its 56th season: July 27: Lower Case Blues; July 28: Vinyl Shockley; July 29: Clifford Keith Band; August 3: Yellow Brick Road—a Tribute to Elton John; August 4: U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters; August 5: Central City Orchestra; August 10: Dance Candy; August 11: The B-Street Band; August 12: Boathouse Row; August 17: U.S. Navy Cruisers; August 18: U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors; August 19: The British Invasion Experience. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (17701 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes, 302-645-9095) screens the best new Independent films at their Cinema Art Theatre. Check their website for updates and show times.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (in residence at Epworth UMC; 19285 Holland Glade Road; 302-227-6766) has Cinderella, Androcles and the Lion, and Aladdin. Their weekly Theatre and Film/TV camps run through August 24.
Stango Park Concerts (Kings Highway, next to the Lewes Library) offers free concerts every Tuesday: August 7: Chesapeake Brass Band; August 14: Free Range; August 21: Conley & Watson; August 28: U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters (at Cape Henlopen High School). Bring a chair!
VISUAL ARTS
Abraxas Studio of Art (515 Federal Street, Lewes; 302-645-9119) features the oil portraits and landscape paintings of Abraxas and his own style of illuminated reality.
Anna Hazzard Museum (17 Christian Street; 302-226-1119) is a captivating look at the early history of Rehoboth Beach as a religious retreat. The museum is housed in one of the original “tent” houses from Rehoboth’s 1870s camp-meeting era and is named for former owner and civic leader, Anna Hazzard.
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) features Light & Music—works by Vincent Hughes and Yvonne Frankis (through July 31); Delaware Division of the Arts 2018 Award Winners, (August 3-26), with an Award Winners’ Reception, Thursday, August 9 (5:30-7:30 p.m.).
Cape Artists Gallery (110 W. 3rd Street, Lewes; 302-644-7733) represents two dozen artists, with much of their work focusing on beach scenes.
Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-853-5099) offers new and classic Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming.
Gallery 50 Contemporary Art and Frame Shop (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302- 227-2050) features a variety of artworks in painting, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, mobiles, as well as special events.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has beautiful and unique hand-made pieces (including wedding rings!) and offers classes in jewelry making.
Painting With a Twist (17723 Coastal Highway; 302-313-5769) offers painting classes and “pARTies” for all occasions. Visit their website for details.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Rd., Lewes; 302-645-0551) presents the Coastal Camera Club Juried Exhibition—August 4-26, with an Opening Reception August 4.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) has a fantastic schedule of classes—pottery to pen and ink technique to jewelry making…. Something for everyone! Current exhibitions: Preservation Matters—over 700 pieces in RAL’s Permanent Collection, and the conservation efforts to maintain the collection—in the Marcia and Henry DeWitt Gallery (through September 6); The 45th Annual Outdoor Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Show (August 4-5 & 11-12 and not to be missed). Check their website for a complete schedule of exhibits, salons, gallery talks, and summer camps.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) has nearly completed renovations to their second floor and revamping of the permanent collection exhibits, and reopens soon! In the meantime, they still have some great walking tours of the area and fascinating lectures, and their 13th Annual Beach Ball fundraiser on August 4 (7-10:30 p.m. at Kings Creek Country Club) which will celebrate Funland.
Stuart Kingston (One Grenoble Place; 302-227-2524) is an auction house and retail store offering fine art and home furnishings.
The Bach Porch Café (59 Rehoboth Ave; 302-227-3674) presents New Work by Rodney Cook July 19 - August 16.
The Brush Factory on Kings (830 Kings Hwy., Lewes; 302-745-2229) an artist/craft co-op: furniture, art, clothing, antiques, sea glass, decoys, vintage garden, books, home goods, candles, herbs, and more.
The Studio on 24 (20231 John J. Williams Highway, Lewes; 302-644-4424) is open during the summer by appointment only with owner and artisan Deb Appleby’s custom made glassware.
Tideline Gallery (146 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-4444) offers unique gifts, jewelry, pottery, and art glass.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features art in different mediums by abstract expressionist Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin.
Zwaanendael Museum (102 Kings Highway, Lewes; 302-645-1148) commemorates Delaware’s first European colony, established by the Dutch in 1631, and serves as a showcase for the Lewes area’s maritime, military, and social history.
Doug is the Artistic and Musical Director for CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Director of Music Ministries at Epworth UMC, and co-founder and Artistic Director emeritus of the Clear Space Theater Company. Email Doug Yetter to add events to the calendar.
Images: Dennis Beach, Wave #2 (detail), Acrylic on Plywood, 18" x 114" x 2", 2011, Maribeth Fischer, Painting by Susan Frey, Rehoboth Art League.
CAMP Rehoboth Arts Programs are supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com
