The weekend of September 16 and 17 promises to be a big one if you like art and gardening.
Thirteen artists will be displaying their wares during the annual Lewes Artists Studio Tour scheduled for Saturday, September 16 (10am to 4pm). The event not only highlights artists’ work but also offers a glimpse into their work environment and creative process.
The studio tour is free, and it offers a chance for the public to meet the artists in person, to experience their workspaces, to enjoy their work and buy their work,” says popular silkscreen specialist Nina Mickelsen. “As an artist, I like to share with patrons my workspace, give them a good idea what goes into the creation of my art pieces”.
“Each artist is different,” she shares, “with different mediums and studios.” Works include pottery, watercolors, oils and acrylics, jewelry, beading, wood cut prints, quilting and mixed media. Each artist will be offering a raffle item as well.
The tour runs from 10 am to 4 pm. A brochure with a list of participating artists can be downloaded from the group’s website. The Brush Factory and other local businesses also have the print version available.
The brochure includes a selection of participating artists work and a map showing their studio locations. About half are located in or near the Lewes Historic District with the rest scattered throughout nearby newer developments. Visiting every artist is doable but it is best to start early.
The online version also includes listings of artists who have participated since 2015. (There was no tour in 2020 during Covid.)
Also not to be missed this upcoming weekend: Seven gardens will be on display Sunday, September 17 (10am – 3pm) during the Milton Garden Club’s 22nd annual Garden Tour. This “must see” features two in-town gardens plus a garden in Cannery Village, one in Vincent Overlook and three in Overbrook Shores. Each location will include live music and local artists displaying their garden related crafts.
The Milton Garden Club is a volunteer organization. Former Milton resident Jane Clark started the club in 1998. Members plant, weed and water gardens and planters throughout the town, like Lewes in Bloom and Rehoboth in Bloom volunteers. Initially, the club tended three gardens. Now it maintains 10 and over 50 planters.
Monthly general meetings range from discussions on topics like “favorite gardening tools” to the annual plant exchange, they also help with community events such as the Milton Horseshoe Crab Festival, the town’s Christmas parade, an outing at Lavender Fields, the Fall Garden Tour and the Milton Holly Festival.
The club raises money to purchase plants and flowers and scholarships for local high school students. “Initially, Scholarships were only available to graduating seniors, but recently we have been able to provide a scholarship to a post-secondary student studying in the field of agriculture and natural resources,” says 11-year club veteran Louise Huntley.
The club currently has about 80 members. According to Huntley, not all consider themselves gardeners but all have something to contribute.
Garden Tour tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 the day of the tour. ”They are available at Pepper’s Greenhouse and The Mercantile in Milton, Lewes Printing in Lewes and Bella Nursery in Ellendale.” -Huntley
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Guest 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.