2025 Art Shows

The oldest art show in Sussex County is set for the first two weekends in August. The Rehoboth Art League’s 52^nd Fine Art and Fine Craft Outdoor Show is set for August 2 – 3 and August 9 – 10 on the League’s 3.5+acre Henlopen Acres campus just a few blocks north of downtown Rehoboth Beach. The arts organization just completed its annual Cottage Tour fundraiser.  

The annual Rehoboth Art League (RAL) show is celebrating its 52^nd year. It is a juried event, and it attracts vendors from all over the country. A list of exhibitors is posted on the RAL website. More than 100 artists and artisans will display work that ranges from jewelry, woodwork, and ceramics to acrylic or oil paintings to silk screens, and mixed media. RAL Galleries also are open during the show.  

Local musicians like acoustic guitar player Kerry Hallett and the popular band Hot Sauce provide a full schedule of performances throughout each day. Food and refreshments are provided by The Point, Bountiful Bowls, and Grandpa Mac plus newcomers Hellenic Kouzina, Mojo Loco and Blue Scoop’s Miss Eleanor trailer. Dogfish Head provides beverages across the board. Proceeds benefit RAL’s Visual Arts Outreach program targeted to free arts education opportunities to young people in underserved areas of Sussex County.   

There is a $5 admission fee for adults. Children under 12 years of age are free. Show-goers are encouraged to take the free shuttle service from the Rehoboth Elementary School as parking is limited in Henlopen Acres. The League’s campus is in a residential area and has an ample supply of shade trees.  

The Lewes Artists Studio Tour takes place on Saturday, September 20 from 10am- 4 pm. This show is unique because it allows art lovers to visit the studios where artists work. Most of them have in-home studios, which makes the tour even more interesting and enjoyable. The Studio Tour website includes a map of studios in and around Lewes proper. Consumers drive from one location to the next. Several are clustered in Historic Lewes, and others are easily reachable by car.  

This is a free event. 

Also in the fall, the Milton Arts Guild organizes the Art Walk. It typically takes place in October although a firm date has not yet been published. It is like the Lewes Studio Tour, but participants can literally walk from one location to another. Residents of Milton “loan” their porches or patios for the day to artists so they can display their wares.   

Arts and crafts festivals in Delaware stretch far into the fall. The Fairs and Festivals website offers a plethora of events through December including the Brandywine Festival of the Arts in Wilmington on Saturday, September 6 (from 10-6) and Sunday, September 7 (10-4). It is the largest such festival in the state with 150 vendors and one of the oldest. It is rated among the top 100 shows in the country. Admission is $5. The Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts and Crafts Show is the same weekend on September 6 and Wilmington is host for another arts and crafts show on July 26th.

Plenty to explore, so plan your calendar! 

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By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist

Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.