September 15, 2023 • 21 mins
Let's paint a vibrant picture with Sara Ganter, the Executive Director of the Rehoboth Art League. As we traverse through the storied 85-year history of this unique organization, you'll gain a deep appreciation for its journey from humble beginnings in 1938 to its current status as a celebrated arts hub. Sara intricately details how the league, formed as a congregation and exhibition space for artists, now offers an impressive array of over 150 classes and 20 annual exhibitions. You'll hear about the league's mission to weave arts into the fabric of people's lives and learn about the breathtaking facilities nestled near Rehoboth Beach.
The narrative continues as we explore the league's dynamic community outreach, particularly their exceptional work with the Delaware Division of the Arts' Equity and Innovation Incubator program. Sara shares how this venture has facilitated the league's expansion to underserved communities in Sussex, ensuring that their influence isn't confined to the coast. In a testament to the power of unity, we also delve into the league's thriving collaborations with other arts organizations, demonstrating how creative thinking and synergy can enrich Delaware's quality of life. Stay tuned for an artifact of a local artist's journey, the upcoming solo show by Rebecca Raubacher, and an insightful discussion into the transformative role of art in the community.
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.
Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.
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Episode Transcript
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Andy Truscott (00:24):
Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast
that presents interviews witharts organizations and leaders
who contribute to the culturalvibrancy of communities
throughout Delaware.
State of the Arts is providedas a service of Delaware
Division Division of the Arts inpartnership with News Radio
1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.
(00:46):
Delaware State State of theArts.
(01:31):
I'm Andy Truscott.
The Rehoboth Art League wasformed in 1938 in Henlopen Acres
, Delaware, as a place whereartists could gather, teach and
exhibit their work.
Now, in 2023, it boasts over1,000 artists members.
Each year.
It offers more than 150 classesfor students of all ages and
(01:54):
skill levels, teaching topicssuch as drawing, painting,
pottery and art theory.
About 20 exhibitions make theirway through the Art League
annually, along with severalcommunity events such as art
festivals and gallery talks.
Right now, visitors can viewthe work of Rebecca Raubacher
(02:14):
and Jim Rehack and ceramicscreated in the Art League's own
pottery studio.
Today, you'll be hearing fromSara Ganter, the Executive
Director of the Rehoboth ArtLeague, about the organization's
rich 85-year history and brightfuture.
Sara Ganter (02:37):
The Art League is a membership-based nonprofit
organization that promotes artsas an important part of people's
entire life cycle.
So we were founded in 1938.
We have five buildings on threeand a half acres and we're just
off of the busy Rehoboth Beachdowntown, so we're Coastal
(02:58):
Deloer.
We were founded as a sort ofsummer artist retreat, an early
example of one of the artscolonies in the United States.
Since then we have reallyexpanded.
The traffic down here is nolonger just summer, it's a
year-round community.
So we have year-roundexhibition calendars, we offer
(03:19):
classes almost every day of theweek, we have open studios for
members, we offer severaldifferent major events for the
community over the course of theyear to expose people to
different artists and ways ofthinking, and we also have a
collection where one of the fewDelaware nonprofits that
collects fine art.
Andy Truscott (03:40):
For those who aren't so familiar, tell us a
little bit more about what artcolonies are.
Sara Ganter (03:45):
So Louise Corquine is our founder.
She moved here in the 30s fromNew Jersey with her husband.
His plan was to develop thetown we now live in.
So he was an architect andengineer and developed the town
and her passion was for the arts.
So she worked early with theVillage Improvement Association,
which is a local women'sservice organization.
(04:06):
So they did a lot of communityprojects.
But she was involved heavilywith their annual art show and
finally decided that the areaneeded an official fine arts
organization.
So really it was to gatherartists or creative thinkers
during the summer months tolearn from each other, have
people teach and have a place toexhibit work.
(04:29):
So it was really a communityhub.
And when the town was foundedby her husband they were very
empathetic that the art lead actas a sort of arts and cultural
center for the area and wantedto make sure everyone that was a
new resident in the townsupported the arts.
Andy Truscott (04:49):
You mentioned a myriad of activities and
exhibitions going on at theRehoboth Art League.
Do your exhibitions have aspecific theme, like focusing on
local artists, or is there awider reach and topic?
Sara Ganter (05:01):
So when the art league was founded it really had
a sort of local, regional draw.
A lot of artists fromWilmington and sort of
Brandywine tradition would comehere, also from Washington DC,
just because it's sort of aclose vacation area.
So I would say in the earlyyears it was pretty local.
(05:21):
We've now expanded.
We really have a national reach.
We attract artists from allover.
We still have a heavy sort ofmid-Atlantic presence, I would
say, but we do have exhibitionsof artists that come from Texas
or Florida.
We just wrapped up our majorsummer event that we had artists
(05:42):
from California.
I mean there was an artist thatcame from Germany this year.
So we've really expanded thefootprint beyond just the local.
Andy Truscott (05:51):
What does the Rehoboth Art League have on
display right now?
Sara Ganter (05:55):
So right now we're in the exciting summer season we
have two sort of traditionalshows that we do every summer.
So the first one is the membersflying craft exhibition and
that closed recently.
But that is a member show.
If you're a member here you'reeligible to put work in.
So it really showcases a widespectrum of things from the
(06:17):
person that's exhibiting for thefirst time to try it out to
really season the crafters.
So in that exhibition we showedthings like a lot of pottery
break, quilts, fiber art, hookedrugs, metal work, woodwork.
That's a really wide variety.
Class work is in there.
So that closed recently.
(06:38):
But we are now in the membersfine art exhibition and this
year is the 85th annual for that.
So that's also open to allmembers eligible to put work in.
So it's mostly a moretraditional fine art, mostly
wall, so drawing, painting,pastel photography also.
(06:59):
There's a lot there but it'sreally interesting to see all
the different work and mediums.
Andy Truscott (07:04):
Sarah, why do you think it's important to give
local artists the opportunity toput their work on display?
Sara Ganter (07:10):
Everybody needs to start somewhere.
I've watched a lot of peoplecome through here since I've
been working here.
I can think of one mosaicartist who started as a student
taking a class here.
She sort of enjoyed the mediumso much and got pretty good at
it so she started showing herwork in the gallery and selling
(07:31):
it and she's now teaching mosaicclasses to help others enjoy
that form of art.
So I've seen her come through.
She was very nervous to put herwork in the gallery at first,
but it's fun to watch theartists grow and be more
confident and watch theirartwork develop.
Andy Truscott (07:48):
Thank you so much for sharing that.
It's such an amazing story.
What exhibitions do you havecoming up in the fall?
Sara Ganter (07:55):
The next exhibition we have coming up is one it's a
solo show Rebecca Roebacher,and she's actually another
really good example of an artistwho's sort of gone through a
whole life cycle here.
She started decades ago.
She was one of the artists thatparticipated in our outdoor
show, so it's a big summer eventI just mentioned, but it's
(08:18):
where the artists are juried in.
They set up their booths aroundcampus and sell their work.
So she started in that, reallygiving it a go to sell her
artwork.
She's gone on to recently.
She's had work put into thecollections of the Delaware Art
Museum, the Bates Museum of Artand Dover, and we recently
acquired a piece of hers.
(08:38):
This is sort of a big show forher.
She's really made a name forherself through her involvement
here over the years.
I think she's a really greatexample of the way the art lead
can help sort of want someone'sartistic career and see them
succeed.
Andy Truscott (08:54):
And are there any other exhibitions that you're
particularly excited about?
Sara Ganter (08:59):
That's a good one.
She does really large work anddoes a great job of showing it,
so that one's always really nice.
Next year we have a couplegreat things I should mention.
This is our 85th anniversaryyear, so we've been doing a lot
of exhibitions that sort ofhighlight our history.
We've done a series thathighlight the open studios for
members.
(09:19):
So we've had we just wrapped upa one that highlighted our
photography group.
That has been sort of arelationship with photography
groups here since the early 50s.
So we've had a group that'slike a figure drawing group that
meets here weekly.
They've been meeting forprobably 50 years or something
like that.
And then the next step we'refocusing on the pottery studio.
(09:42):
We also have a members openstudio for that.
So that's called form andfunction and highlights some
member artwork for that.
So that'll be a new show Nextyear we're really looking
forward to.
We're kicking off the year witha solo show from Edward Loper Jr
.
So he'll be sort of a notableDelaware artist for us.
I think he's 88 now, so thisreally will be a look back at a
(10:05):
whole career as an artist, sothat one will be great and I
always look forward to.
Next year will be the Biennial.
That's a big exhibition we haveevery other year and it has a
lot of prize money attached toit.
So it's gotten a lot ofpublicity and it usually draws
some more contemporary artistsfrom Baltimore, dc, philly, new
(10:27):
York, so that one's alwaysinteresting.
It sort of pushes us beyondtraditional fine arts, I would
say.
So I always look forward tothat one.
Andy Truscott (10:36):
Their home with Art League is 85 years old.
Were you able to keep any ofthe art that originated from the
early days?
It's so interesting to hearabout how the Rehoboth Art
League has grown and howdifferent mediums have been
adopted by artists there overthat time.
Sara Ganter (10:51):
Yeah, we have a collection.
It's now in excess of 800pieces of fine art, so we're
responsible for stewarding thatand caring for it and conserving
it.
As far as sort of originalpieces of artwork, I can think
of a couple immediately In ourmain gallery space there are two
shell mosaics that are sort ofover the one over the front
(11:14):
doorway and one over the doorwayto sort of another gallery, but
those are made by our founderand those sort of still grace
the building.
But then we go all the way upto 2015,.
We renovated the building thatour collection now lives in.
It was formerly the horsestables for the property and now
it's a museum grade facility tostore artwork and on the front
(11:36):
of that we had a muralist painta Trump Roy.
It looks like a horse stablestill, but that piece is also
part of our collection.
So there's sort of a big spanof early years.
We have pieces from late 1800sup to, you know, contemporary
work.
So it's a wide range.
Andy Truscott (11:56):
Thinking back on the Rehoboth Art League's 85
years of history and, frankly,being able to look at it through
the lens of art is such aunique treasure.
For the first date, switchinggears here, the Rehoboth Art
League is participating in theDelaware Division of the Arts's
Equity and Innovation Incubatorprogram.
Where is the Rehoboth ArtLeague in that process right now
(12:17):
?
Sara Ganter (12:18):
That was a really interesting process for our
leadership team to go throughand the staff.
So right now we're at the pointwhere we're starting to
implement some of the programsthat developed out of that.
So I just mentioned some of thethings we have in our
collection and I was going tomention one more thing, and I
will now.
But it also includes sort ofother antiques and objects.
(12:42):
And one of the objects that gota little bit of focus last year
through the Incubator programwas we have a collection of
Native American water andpestles that have been on the
property for ages.
They've been here as long asthe Art League has been in
existence, so we're not reallysure where they came from.
But that object in ourcollection helped create a
(13:03):
dialogue with the NanocoqueIndian tribe here.
So we've been talking to them alot and doing some program that
focuses on their landstewardship before the Art
League is existed.
So that's been interesting.
We're also working on some newoutreach programs.
We developed a relationshipwith Habitat for Humanity to
(13:25):
provide an original piece ofartwork to each new homeowner
that they dedicate a house to.
I was just at that dedication acouple weeks ago.
They two new homeowners, youknow it was the first day in
their new home and I was able topresent them with a piece of
horn of painting they picked outand the other homeowner a
photograph.
So it's nice to sort ofhighlight the importance of art
(13:49):
in everything home.
So we're expanding our outreachprogram, which is our teachers
go into Sussex communitiesmostly underserved that do not
have great access to artseducation.
In a couple weeks we areopening a exhibition for Easter
Seals and we do arts educationwith them adults with
(14:11):
developmental disabilities sowe're excited to host an
exhibition of their artwork.
So Incubator Project, I think,allowed us to think a little bit
differently about our role orwhat it could be, and to expand
some really good programs we'vehad in existence for a while but
just needed some more push.
So it's been really a goodthing for us.
Andy Truscott (14:32):
I believe you touched on this a little earlier
.
But what need are you trying tomeet at the Rehoboth Art League
that this grant will help outwith?
Sara Ganter (14:39):
So through the Incubator process, I think we
really it's clear that thecommunity really loves our
campus and feels a connection tothe property and the buildings
and the history and sort of takeinspiration from that.
But I think we need torecognize and remember that not
everyone has an opportunity tocome here to be inspired and
(15:02):
that we need to work a littleharder to get off campus and
sort of take inspiration toplaces that don't have as much
access.
So that's really the drive isto get off campus more and reach
communities that might not beable to fight the traffic in the
summer months, which is whenwe're very busy or might not
(15:24):
have transportation to get here,but we have the resources to be
able to get out there a littlemore.
So that's what our goal isthrough the project.
Andy Truscott (15:32):
Sarah, what does success for the Rehoboth Art
League look like right here,right now?
Sara Ganter (15:39):
Oh, that's a big one, I think you know it's easy
to say well, we're celebratingour 85th anniversary.
We're clearly a success inSouthern Delaware, but I think
if we can sort of push ourselvesa little bit to make sure we're
reaching as many communities aspossible, that will be more of
(16:01):
a success for us.
I think we have a greatfoundation here.
We're very lucky to have abeautiful campus and five
buildings and classrooms.
But I think if we can thinkoutside the box to reach people
differently, with newexperiences or things we might
not have done here before,that'll be a win for us.
Andy Truscott (16:21):
And, in your opinion, what makes the arts
with a capital A so important tocommunities in Delaware?
Sara Ganter (16:29):
It's really a way of life.
The first thing I'm thinkingabout when you say why is?
Why are the arts important toDelaware?
We just wrapped up our bigsummer event, the Outdoor Show.
So we had 132 artists juried in.
They came from all over thecountry but we had almost 7,000
(16:49):
people come to that event and Ithink it shows the quality of
the artists that we bring in.
It's also, you know, we hostlive music and we have food
trucks and there's auctions andraffles and opportunities to
sort of bid on art or win art.
You know it's an opportunity tointerface with people that
think creatively and do thingsyou would never imagine or think
(17:13):
about doing.
So, you know, facilitating thatis a big source of pride that
we can do that for the communityand it's really the highlight
of the summer around here forthe community to come to that.
So it makes us feel good aboutwhat we're doing.
Andy Truscott (17:29):
Grant, you love that.
The Rehoboth Art League is oneof the only major arts
organizations in Sussex Countyand it sounds like you
understand that and you'refocusing strongly on connecting
with all of the communities inthat area.
What has that been like and how, over time, have you been able
to extend your reach beyond thecoastal area of the county where
(17:51):
your organization is located?
Sara Ganter (17:54):
I think that your Rehoboth Art League were sort of
the oldest and I guess the sortof legacy fine arts
organization downstate.
But there are a lot of reallygood small arts nonprofits that
have crapped up over the yearsand I think each one plays a
different role for differentcommunities.
(18:16):
There's Milford.
It has a really great galleryand class education program.
One has an art skill.
Milford has one that is comingand going.
Dover is trying to be revived.
Right around the corner we havedeveloping artist collaborations
.
So they're very close to us butI think play a different event
(18:37):
role for people.
So I think each organization issort of finding its niche and
its sort of geographic footprint.
But I do see a lot of overlapin artists working, either
teaching or showing at these allthe different art leagues or
art whatever you want to callthem, arts groups.
They want opportunities and ifthey can get them they're going
(19:00):
to try everything they can.
So it's to our benefit to tryto collaborate with all the arts
organizations in the area.
There's so much overlap betweenwhat we're doing, the people
we're serving, the teacherswe're bringing in the different
shows.
So partnering with everythingaround here is a win.
Andy Truscott (19:24):
And finally, as we wrap up here, why do you
think artists and artsorganizations are so willing to
collaborate within this fieldand beyond?
Sara Ganter (19:34):
Maybe it's arts organizations can sort of think
creatively and outside of thebox.
I think some of the creativethinking portion is just a way
to envision partnerships thatmight not be real, apparent,
sort of like the habitat thing.
You know they're buildinghouses and we're showing artwork
(19:57):
, but I think there was a threadthere to make a connection.
We have lots of other partnerorganizations like First Aid.
Community Action Agency is apoverty fighting organization
but through their after schoolprogram we're able to provide
the arts education component tothe kids that they're sort of
(20:18):
shepherding after school to makesure they have their homework
done and they're focusing onschoolwork and they're kept busy
.
So yeah, I think just thinkingcreatively about points of
connection or even thecommunities you serve can be a
starting point for figuring outhow can we work together.
Andy Truscott (20:43):
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch
of the Delaware Department ofState, is committed to
supporting the arts andcultivating creativity to
enhance the quality of life inDelaware.
Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts
Council, the Divisionadministers grants and programs
that support arts programming,educate the public, increase
(21:05):
awareness of the arts andintegrate the arts into all
facets of Delaware life.
To find out more about thedivision, visit artsdellawaregov
.
Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast
that presents interviews witharts organizations and leaders
who contribute to the culturalvibrancy of communities
throughout Delaware.
State of the Arts is providedas a service of Delaware
Division Division of the Arts inpartnership with News Radio
1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.
(00:46):
Delaware State State of theArts.
(01:31):
I'm Andy Truscott.
The Rehoboth Art League wasformed in 1938 in Henlopen Acres
, Delaware, as a place whereartists could gather, teach and
exhibit their work.
Now, in 2023, it boasts over1,000 artists members.
Each year.
It offers more than 150 classesfor students of all ages and
(01:54):
skill levels, teaching topicssuch as drawing, painting,
pottery and art theory.
About 20 exhibitions make theirway through the Art League
annually, along with severalcommunity events such as art
festivals and gallery talks.
Right now, visitors can viewthe work of Rebecca Raubacher
(02:14):
and Jim Rehack and ceramicscreated in the Art League's own
pottery studio.
Today, you'll be hearing fromSara Ganter, the Executive
Director of the Rehoboth ArtLeague, about the organization's
rich 85-year history and brightfuture.
Sara Ganter (02:37):
The Art League is a membership-based nonprofit
organization that promotes artsas an important part of people's
entire life cycle.
So we were founded in 1938.
We have five buildings on threeand a half acres and we're just
off of the busy Rehoboth Beachdowntown, so we're Coastal
(02:58):
Deloer.
We were founded as a sort ofsummer artist retreat, an early
example of one of the artscolonies in the United States.
Since then we have reallyexpanded.
The traffic down here is nolonger just summer, it's a
year-round community.
So we have year-roundexhibition calendars, we offer
(03:19):
classes almost every day of theweek, we have open studios for
members, we offer severaldifferent major events for the
community over the course of theyear to expose people to
different artists and ways ofthinking, and we also have a
collection where one of the fewDelaware nonprofits that
collects fine art.
Andy Truscott (03:40):
For those who aren't so familiar, tell us a
little bit more about what artcolonies are.
Sara Ganter (03:45):
So Louise Corquine is our founder.
She moved here in the 30s fromNew Jersey with her husband.
His plan was to develop thetown we now live in.
So he was an architect andengineer and developed the town
and her passion was for the arts.
So she worked early with theVillage Improvement Association,
which is a local women'sservice organization.
(04:06):
So they did a lot of communityprojects.
But she was involved heavilywith their annual art show and
finally decided that the areaneeded an official fine arts
organization.
So really it was to gatherartists or creative thinkers
during the summer months tolearn from each other, have
people teach and have a place toexhibit work.
(04:29):
So it was really a communityhub.
And when the town was foundedby her husband they were very
empathetic that the art lead actas a sort of arts and cultural
center for the area and wantedto make sure everyone that was a
new resident in the townsupported the arts.
Andy Truscott (04:49):
You mentioned a myriad of activities and
exhibitions going on at theRehoboth Art League.
Do your exhibitions have aspecific theme, like focusing on
local artists, or is there awider reach and topic?
Sara Ganter (05:01):
So when the art league was founded it really had
a sort of local, regional draw.
A lot of artists fromWilmington and sort of
Brandywine tradition would comehere, also from Washington DC,
just because it's sort of aclose vacation area.
So I would say in the earlyyears it was pretty local.
(05:21):
We've now expanded.
We really have a national reach.
We attract artists from allover.
We still have a heavy sort ofmid-Atlantic presence, I would
say, but we do have exhibitionsof artists that come from Texas
or Florida.
We just wrapped up our majorsummer event that we had artists
(05:42):
from California.
I mean there was an artist thatcame from Germany this year.
So we've really expanded thefootprint beyond just the local.
Andy Truscott (05:51):
What does the Rehoboth Art League have on
display right now?
Sara Ganter (05:55):
So right now we're in the exciting summer season we
have two sort of traditionalshows that we do every summer.
So the first one is the membersflying craft exhibition and
that closed recently.
But that is a member show.
If you're a member here you'reeligible to put work in.
So it really showcases a widespectrum of things from the
(06:17):
person that's exhibiting for thefirst time to try it out to
really season the crafters.
So in that exhibition we showedthings like a lot of pottery
break, quilts, fiber art, hookedrugs, metal work, woodwork.
That's a really wide variety.
Class work is in there.
So that closed recently.
(06:38):
But we are now in the membersfine art exhibition and this
year is the 85th annual for that.
So that's also open to allmembers eligible to put work in.
So it's mostly a moretraditional fine art, mostly
wall, so drawing, painting,pastel photography also.
(06:59):
There's a lot there but it'sreally interesting to see all
the different work and mediums.
Andy Truscott (07:04):
Sarah, why do you think it's important to give
local artists the opportunity toput their work on display?
Sara Ganter (07:10):
Everybody needs to start somewhere.
I've watched a lot of peoplecome through here since I've
been working here.
I can think of one mosaicartist who started as a student
taking a class here.
She sort of enjoyed the mediumso much and got pretty good at
it so she started showing herwork in the gallery and selling
(07:31):
it and she's now teaching mosaicclasses to help others enjoy
that form of art.
So I've seen her come through.
She was very nervous to put herwork in the gallery at first,
but it's fun to watch theartists grow and be more
confident and watch theirartwork develop.
Andy Truscott (07:48):
Thank you so much for sharing that.
It's such an amazing story.
What exhibitions do you havecoming up in the fall?
Sara Ganter (07:55):
The next exhibition we have coming up is one it's a
solo show Rebecca Roebacher,and she's actually another
really good example of an artistwho's sort of gone through a
whole life cycle here.
She started decades ago.
She was one of the artists thatparticipated in our outdoor
show, so it's a big summer eventI just mentioned, but it's
(08:18):
where the artists are juried in.
They set up their booths aroundcampus and sell their work.
So she started in that, reallygiving it a go to sell her
artwork.
She's gone on to recently.
She's had work put into thecollections of the Delaware Art
Museum, the Bates Museum of Artand Dover, and we recently
acquired a piece of hers.
(08:38):
This is sort of a big show forher.
She's really made a name forherself through her involvement
here over the years.
I think she's a really greatexample of the way the art lead
can help sort of want someone'sartistic career and see them
succeed.
Andy Truscott (08:54):
And are there any other exhibitions that you're
particularly excited about?
Sara Ganter (08:59):
That's a good one.
She does really large work anddoes a great job of showing it,
so that one's always really nice.
Next year we have a couplegreat things I should mention.
This is our 85th anniversaryyear, so we've been doing a lot
of exhibitions that sort ofhighlight our history.
We've done a series thathighlight the open studios for
members.
(09:19):
So we've had we just wrapped upa one that highlighted our
photography group.
That has been sort of arelationship with photography
groups here since the early 50s.
So we've had a group that'slike a figure drawing group that
meets here weekly.
They've been meeting forprobably 50 years or something
like that.
And then the next step we'refocusing on the pottery studio.
(09:42):
We also have a members openstudio for that.
So that's called form andfunction and highlights some
member artwork for that.
So that'll be a new show Nextyear we're really looking
forward to.
We're kicking off the year witha solo show from Edward Loper Jr
.
So he'll be sort of a notableDelaware artist for us.
I think he's 88 now, so thisreally will be a look back at a
(10:05):
whole career as an artist, sothat one will be great and I
always look forward to.
Next year will be the Biennial.
That's a big exhibition we haveevery other year and it has a
lot of prize money attached toit.
So it's gotten a lot ofpublicity and it usually draws
some more contemporary artistsfrom Baltimore, dc, philly, new
(10:27):
York, so that one's alwaysinteresting.
It sort of pushes us beyondtraditional fine arts, I would
say.
So I always look forward tothat one.
Andy Truscott (10:36):
Their home with Art League is 85 years old.
Were you able to keep any ofthe art that originated from the
early days?
It's so interesting to hearabout how the Rehoboth Art
League has grown and howdifferent mediums have been
adopted by artists there overthat time.
Sara Ganter (10:51):
Yeah, we have a collection.
It's now in excess of 800pieces of fine art, so we're
responsible for stewarding thatand caring for it and conserving
it.
As far as sort of originalpieces of artwork, I can think
of a couple immediately In ourmain gallery space there are two
shell mosaics that are sort ofover the one over the front
(11:14):
doorway and one over the doorwayto sort of another gallery, but
those are made by our founderand those sort of still grace
the building.
But then we go all the way upto 2015,.
We renovated the building thatour collection now lives in.
It was formerly the horsestables for the property and now
it's a museum grade facility tostore artwork and on the front
(11:36):
of that we had a muralist painta Trump Roy.
It looks like a horse stablestill, but that piece is also
part of our collection.
So there's sort of a big spanof early years.
We have pieces from late 1800sup to, you know, contemporary
work.
So it's a wide range.
Andy Truscott (11:56):
Thinking back on the Rehoboth Art League's 85
years of history and, frankly,being able to look at it through
the lens of art is such aunique treasure.
For the first date, switchinggears here, the Rehoboth Art
League is participating in theDelaware Division of the Arts's
Equity and Innovation Incubatorprogram.
Where is the Rehoboth ArtLeague in that process right now
(12:17):
?
Sara Ganter (12:18):
That was a really interesting process for our
leadership team to go throughand the staff.
So right now we're at the pointwhere we're starting to
implement some of the programsthat developed out of that.
So I just mentioned some of thethings we have in our
collection and I was going tomention one more thing, and I
will now.
But it also includes sort ofother antiques and objects.
(12:42):
And one of the objects that gota little bit of focus last year
through the Incubator programwas we have a collection of
Native American water andpestles that have been on the
property for ages.
They've been here as long asthe Art League has been in
existence, so we're not reallysure where they came from.
But that object in ourcollection helped create a
(13:03):
dialogue with the NanocoqueIndian tribe here.
So we've been talking to them alot and doing some program that
focuses on their landstewardship before the Art
League is existed.
So that's been interesting.
We're also working on some newoutreach programs.
We developed a relationshipwith Habitat for Humanity to
(13:25):
provide an original piece ofartwork to each new homeowner
that they dedicate a house to.
I was just at that dedication acouple weeks ago.
They two new homeowners, youknow it was the first day in
their new home and I was able topresent them with a piece of
horn of painting they picked outand the other homeowner a
photograph.
So it's nice to sort ofhighlight the importance of art
(13:49):
in everything home.
So we're expanding our outreachprogram, which is our teachers
go into Sussex communitiesmostly underserved that do not
have great access to artseducation.
In a couple weeks we areopening a exhibition for Easter
Seals and we do arts educationwith them adults with
(14:11):
developmental disabilities sowe're excited to host an
exhibition of their artwork.
So Incubator Project, I think,allowed us to think a little bit
differently about our role orwhat it could be, and to expand
some really good programs we'vehad in existence for a while but
just needed some more push.
So it's been really a goodthing for us.
Andy Truscott (14:32):
I believe you touched on this a little earlier
.
But what need are you trying tomeet at the Rehoboth Art League
that this grant will help outwith?
Sara Ganter (14:39):
So through the Incubator process, I think we
really it's clear that thecommunity really loves our
campus and feels a connection tothe property and the buildings
and the history and sort of takeinspiration from that.
But I think we need torecognize and remember that not
everyone has an opportunity tocome here to be inspired and
(15:02):
that we need to work a littleharder to get off campus and
sort of take inspiration toplaces that don't have as much
access.
So that's really the drive isto get off campus more and reach
communities that might not beable to fight the traffic in the
summer months, which is whenwe're very busy or might not
(15:24):
have transportation to get here,but we have the resources to be
able to get out there a littlemore.
So that's what our goal isthrough the project.
Andy Truscott (15:32):
Sarah, what does success for the Rehoboth Art
League look like right here,right now?
Sara Ganter (15:39):
Oh, that's a big one, I think you know it's easy
to say well, we're celebratingour 85th anniversary.
We're clearly a success inSouthern Delaware, but I think
if we can sort of push ourselvesa little bit to make sure we're
reaching as many communities aspossible, that will be more of
(16:01):
a success for us.
I think we have a greatfoundation here.
We're very lucky to have abeautiful campus and five
buildings and classrooms.
But I think if we can thinkoutside the box to reach people
differently, with newexperiences or things we might
not have done here before,that'll be a win for us.
Andy Truscott (16:21):
And, in your opinion, what makes the arts
with a capital A so important tocommunities in Delaware?
Sara Ganter (16:29):
It's really a way of life.
The first thing I'm thinkingabout when you say why is?
Why are the arts important toDelaware?
We just wrapped up our bigsummer event, the Outdoor Show.
So we had 132 artists juried in.
They came from all over thecountry but we had almost 7,000
(16:49):
people come to that event and Ithink it shows the quality of
the artists that we bring in.
It's also, you know, we hostlive music and we have food
trucks and there's auctions andraffles and opportunities to
sort of bid on art or win art.
You know it's an opportunity tointerface with people that
think creatively and do thingsyou would never imagine or think
(17:13):
about doing.
So, you know, facilitating thatis a big source of pride that
we can do that for the communityand it's really the highlight
of the summer around here forthe community to come to that.
So it makes us feel good aboutwhat we're doing.
Andy Truscott (17:29):
Grant, you love that.
The Rehoboth Art League is oneof the only major arts
organizations in Sussex Countyand it sounds like you
understand that and you'refocusing strongly on connecting
with all of the communities inthat area.
What has that been like and how, over time, have you been able
to extend your reach beyond thecoastal area of the county where
(17:51):
your organization is located?
Sara Ganter (17:54):
I think that your Rehoboth Art League were sort of
the oldest and I guess the sortof legacy fine arts
organization downstate.
But there are a lot of reallygood small arts nonprofits that
have crapped up over the yearsand I think each one plays a
different role for differentcommunities.
(18:16):
There's Milford.
It has a really great galleryand class education program.
One has an art skill.
Milford has one that is comingand going.
Dover is trying to be revived.
Right around the corner we havedeveloping artist collaborations
.
So they're very close to us butI think play a different event
(18:37):
role for people.
So I think each organization issort of finding its niche and
its sort of geographic footprint.
But I do see a lot of overlapin artists working, either
teaching or showing at these allthe different art leagues or
art whatever you want to callthem, arts groups.
They want opportunities and ifthey can get them they're going
(19:00):
to try everything they can.
So it's to our benefit to tryto collaborate with all the arts
organizations in the area.
There's so much overlap betweenwhat we're doing, the people
we're serving, the teacherswe're bringing in the different
shows.
So partnering with everythingaround here is a win.
Andy Truscott (19:24):
And finally, as we wrap up here, why do you
think artists and artsorganizations are so willing to
collaborate within this fieldand beyond?
Sara Ganter (19:34):
Maybe it's arts organizations can sort of think
creatively and outside of thebox.
I think some of the creativethinking portion is just a way
to envision partnerships thatmight not be real, apparent,
sort of like the habitat thing.
You know they're buildinghouses and we're showing artwork
(19:57):
, but I think there was a threadthere to make a connection.
We have lots of other partnerorganizations like First Aid.
Community Action Agency is apoverty fighting organization
but through their after schoolprogram we're able to provide
the arts education component tothe kids that they're sort of
(20:18):
shepherding after school to makesure they have their homework
done and they're focusing onschoolwork and they're kept busy
.
So yeah, I think just thinkingcreatively about points of
connection or even thecommunities you serve can be a
starting point for figuring outhow can we work together.
Andy Truscott (20:43):
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch
of the Delaware Department ofState, is committed to
supporting the arts andcultivating creativity to
enhance the quality of life inDelaware.
Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts
Council, the Divisionadministers grants and programs
that support arts programming,educate the public, increase
(21:05):
awareness of the arts andintegrate the arts into all
facets of Delaware life.
To find out more about thedivision, visit artsdellawaregov
.
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