By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald
An arts organization reaching a milestone anniversary — especially in today’s tumultuous climate — is something to be recognized.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, The Delaware Contemporary will celebrate its landmark moment with a 25th Anniversary Gala entitled The Future Is Now. The event will not only honor a quarter-century of creativity and community at its Wilmington Riverfront home, but also acknowledge the visionary roots and endurance of one of Delaware’s most innovative art institutions.
“As we mark 25 years of The Delaware Contemporary’s presence on the Wilmington Riverfront, we are not only celebrating our rich history but also embracing an exciting future full of possibilities,” says Brett John Johnson, who accepted the executive director position earlier this year. “The Future Is Now is a call to action and an invitation for all of us to join in shaping the next chapter of this institution — one based in collaboration, experimentation, and a shared commitment to the arts.”
“We are not only reflecting on our history, but how The Contemporary has become a space for artistic risk and experimentation, and has remained rooted in community,” adds Shefon Taylor, The Contemporary’s design and strategy manager.
According to The Contemporary’s history, before being established as the organization’s Riverfront home in 1999, the building began as the Harlan & Hollingsworth railroad car assembly plant. Later it was used for shipbuilding by the Dravo Corporation during World WarII.
The 35,000-square-foot space has since evolved into a dynamic hub for art that reflects the intentional spirit of the artists and supporters who founded it — a space where art is made, seen, and lived.
The building now houses seven exhibition galleries, 26 artist studios, two apartments for visiting exhibitors, a 100-seat black box theater — where theater-in-residence City Theater Company and Fearless Improv perform — a classroom, office space, a gift shop devoted to artist-made objects and a modern yet welcoming lobby. As a non-collecting museum, the regularly changing exhibits feature local, regional, and international artists and are curated to entice repeat visits.
The Future Is Now gala will begin with an exclusive VIP cocktail hour (5pm), offering guests an intimate performance, early access to a silent auction, and a commemorative gift. General admission (6pm) will include an evening of immersive experiences: a live performance by the acclaimed Pyxis Piano Trio; a gallery walk delineating 25 years of exhibitions and community impact; and interactive moments that will reflect on the museum’s ongoing commitment to contemporary practice.
In addition to gala attendance, supporters are invited to contribute to the museum’s 25th anniversary brick campaign. This opportunity allows donors to permanently inscribe their names — or honor loved ones — on the museum’s Riverfront campus, becoming part of a lasting legacy of creative investment in the region.
—For tickets to the gala, visit DeContemporary.org
Above: Guests enjoy whimsical mobiles at The Delaware Contemporary. Photo by Danielle Vennard.
Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald is the Director of Marketing & Events for the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, as well as the manager of the blog Delaware Arts Info, and the Board Chair of City Theater Company. She is a self-described “cheerleader” for the arts and animal rescue, a die-hard Penn Stater and a doting dog mom. A big fan of The Beatles, Bon Jovi, strong java and red blends, she’s pretty sure that in a parallel universe, she’s a writer for Rolling Stone. She, hubby Scott, and furbaby Eli are proud residents of the City of Wilmington.