May 17, 2013
HeART of the Community 2013 Curators
Murray Archibald, Artist and President of the CAMP Rehoboth Board. Artists: Sondra N. Arkin, Rodney Cook, Geri Dibiase, Ward Ellinger, Victor Letonoff, Lee Wayne Mills, Aina Nergaard-Nammack, Brian Petro.
Michael Sprouse, Artist and Curator. Artists: Scott Brooks, Lucy Clink, Denise Odell, Linda Plaisted, Nick Serratore, Michael Sprouse.
Ellyn Weiss, Artist and Curator. Artists: Tory Cowles, Thomas Drymon, Susan Finsen, John Paradiso, Andres Tremols,
Follow Your HeART
Any artist can tell you that making art is more than a vocation; it is part of who they are. Whether it is made at the easel or leaks out into everything else they do, artists are artists even when they aren’t in the studio. It is easy to follow your heart when you love someone or something, and that’s how artists feel about art—about making it, viewing it, supporting those who make it their life. CAMP Rehoboth has always included support of the arts in its mission, and the regular programming of art exhibitions is an important part of how we bring our community together to celebrate the joy of self-expression.
Through the years, we’ve relied so much on artists who donate work for our fundraising efforts and to patrons who buy the art. Last year, we changed up our fundraising model by making the HeART of the Community invitational auction a 50/50 sale to benefit both our organization and the artists whose work is included, which means that the final bid gets split with the artists, compensating them for their hard work and allowing us to continue ours.
Since over 200 artists have donated their art to CAMP Rehoboth over the years, the invitational has always been a tricky concept—we’d like to have “room for all,” but in this case, we can only manage 20 in a live auction in under an hour. So once again, I’d like to take this chance to thank, on behalf of CAMP Rehoboth, all of the artists who donate to our open calls, and who enter and show in our gallery space. Their involvement with CAMP Rehoboth is an important foundation to the organization’s mission.
Our 2013 curators, Murray Archibald, Michael Sprouse, and Ellyn Weiss, have selected 20 artists. Though each are artists themselves, they have between them a broad range of experience curating exhibitions in Rehoboth Beach and Washington, DC.
We are delighted that the works represent a cross section of media and disciplines with a range of subjects and styles—and prices. We hope that we have something for everyone— and that you find space in your home for an original work by an area artist, perhaps someone you know and love! We’ve put all of the art and information on all of the artists on the website for you to preview (go to the Black & White Beach Ball info and link from there). Many, many thanks to each of the curators for shepherding the artists and the art to this point. Now it is up to you to decide what you’d like and where you’ll put it.
Common to all of the work in this year’s selection is a real sense of contemplation. From Scott Brooks’ Birdwalker to Victor Letonoff’s Female Model to Denise Odell’s Amazing Grace to Michael Sprouse’s Intermission, there is a sense that there is something at play just off our edge of vision that is engrossing the subject, some introspection that we want to understand. Maybe we are contemplating nature’s power, as in Lee Wayne Mills’ Storm Moving Through or Geri DiBiase’s All Passion Spent. Or even nature’s vastness and beauty, as in Thomas Drymon’s Drift, Ward Ellinger’s Mystique, my own All Around Us, or Nick Serratore’s Good Night Moon. Others contemplate everyday details that might be taken for granted as in Rod Cook’s Seeing Blue Skies, Lucy Clink’s Ravello Villa, Susan Finsen’s Splish Splash, John Paradiso’s Leather Pansies, Linda Plaisted’s Sweetwater, or Aina Nergaard-Nammack’s The City #1268. And in the abstract work of Andres Tremols, Ellyn Weiss, Tory Cowles, and Brian Petro, their marks, large and small, bring us in and out of the work, beckoning to the viewer to see what is within and around and under each layer. In all, we contemplate beauty and the moment captured and seized.
The Black & White Beach Ball features the HeART of the Community Art Auction with 20 works selected by three curators, on Saturday, June 1 from 5-8 p.m., featuring scrumptious small plates by Plate Catering and an open bar at the Clear Space Theatre, 20 Baltimore Avenue. Dress: Black and White Casual; Tickets: $75. Tickets are limited and may be purchased at camprehoboth.com or by calling the CAMP Rehoboth office.
Preview the art in advance at CAMP Rehoboth, and join us on Sunday May 26 from
5-7 p.m. for a Sneak Peek Wine and Cheese Reception to see the work in person and meet some of the artists. Proxy bidding will be available for buyers who are interested in purchasing but unable to attend the June 1st event. Decide in advance your maximum bid, and we’ll have a volunteer Do Your Bidding. Download a Proxy Form on the website or come into the office for more info.
Thanks to Presenting Sponsor PNC Wealth Management, the curators, the artists, and you…the heart of our community.
