By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald
I think we can proudly say Wilmington’s arts scene is blossoming. Dance, theater, visual arts, music, poetry, design — every year there are more programs, artists, exhibits, and performances to tantalize and even test our senses and sensibilities.
At the helm of many of these forward-thinking organizations and artistic endeavors are equally audacious women. This writer is honored to know and be “in the circle” with the women (and many more across our state) who are successfully leading some of our most impactful organizations, ideas, and movements…
So, in honor of Women’s History Month, meet the Women of Wilmington Arts!
Cheri Astolfi, Dean, The Music School of Delaware
MusicSchoolofDelaware.org | @musicschoolofde
Cheri has served as Dean since 2007. She also teaches horn and musicianship classes at the Music School. She is instrumental (pun intended) in the Music School’s connections between students and their instructors. She is also a devoted dog mom.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
Fortunately, I have many early arts-related memories. But my mind immediately went to playing the flute in the fourth grade beginner band. Our band director, Mr. Rehrig, made a real impression on me with his work ethic and dedication. Ultimately, the flute wasn’t for me, but my experiences playing the flute were part of the foundation of who I became professionally.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
I’m a Delaware native and am dedicated to having an impact on music and music education in Wilmington and beyond. I have the daily privilege of walking the halls of a school, a non-profit organization, dedicated to providing music experiences for babies as young as four months old through adult students in their eighties.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
The Music School is celebrating its centennial in 2024-2025!
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
One of my favorite high school experiences occurred when I played in Delaware’s All-State Orchestra. That year, the Delaware Music Educators Association partnered with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, hosting a side-by-side orchestra for the All-State students. I respected and admired the principal horn of the DSO and was thrilled to have the opportunity to play next to her. For that reason, I become most excited when we have side-by-side opportunities like that for our Music School students.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Stay true to your mission and remain open to new opportunities.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
Funding. One doesn’t need to go to Philly, New York City, Baltimore, or DC to have an amazing arts experience. We have phenomenal organizations doing significant work right here! But, like all arts organizations everywhere, we need the financial resources to sustain our organizations, and thrive.
Raye Jones Avery, CEO, High Intensity Productions (HIP) LLC
rayejonesavery.com | @rayejonesavery
After nearly 30 years, Raye retired as the Executive Director of Christina Cultural Arts Center (CCAC). She’s also been a curator, educator, and activist. She’s a recording and performing artist, and finds time to host a Thursday jazz series at the Delaware Art Museum.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
Singing with my sisters and my mother while she played piano in our living room on 3rd and Broom in Wilmington’s Hilltop neighborhood. “Boogie Woogie Blues,” “Blue Moon” and “Since I Fell for You” were some of mom’s favorites.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
Music has always been a life jacket for me. I was unaware of places in Wilmington where youth could access formal study as a child. When the executive position opened at CCAC, I made it my personal and professional mission to help eliminate access barriers to arts education.
What’s something everyone should know about your work?
I have self-produced two music projects: Sistah Girl’s Lament and Between, as well as a spoken word short film Corey Did You Know?, a tribute to Coretta Scott King. I currently host a monthly first Thursdays Jazz Series at Delaware Art Museum. I co-chair with Lynne Howard the Wilmington Center for Education Equity and Policy. I serve on the Delaware Theatre Company and Elevate DE Vocal Academy boards.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
With Kim Graham, I co-created the piece Secrets and Silence to advocate for an end to the spread of HIV/ AIDS. Successfully relocated Christina Cultural Arts Center to the downtown business district in 1993. Helped to found Kuumba Academy Charter School in 1998 and opened the school in 2001 with 171 students. Launched the Early Learning Arts Academy Pre-school at CCAC.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Artists: Learn and honor your craft — art is spiritual. Practice self-care and collaborate. Be brave. Be adventurous. Be your authentic self. Travel, journal, explore intersections between diverse cultures and art mediums. Expand your network inside Delaware, and outside regionally, nationally and globally. Document your creative voice so when you go to Mars, people will know you made a contribution to planet Earth. Arts Leaders: Lead with passion and compassion. Secure an executive coach (leadership ain’t pretty). Check your ego at the door. Collaborate with people whose knowledge, skills, and ideas differ from your own. Take vacations. Invest in yourself.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
Financial supports and tax incentives for independent creatives; grants for those not affiliated with a non-profit; rehearsal/maker spaces; affordable venues with state-of-the-art technology for independent creatives to exhibit and perform; live/work affordable housing; competitive wages for artists; audiences willing to contribute via ticket sales.
What’s next for your arts journey?
Next is still unfolding. I am going to Mars with Nikki Giovanni. For now, I have intergenerational projects with Arreon Harley-Emerson, Jonathan Whitney, Tabita Ares, Brandy Osimokun, The Barbara Walker Story, Bebe Coker, Richard Raw, Dara Meredith, Siani Beckett. Choreographers are waiting to be birthed.
Tina Betz, Director, City of Wilmington Cultural Affairs; President, CityFest, Inc.
CityFestWilm.com | @cityfestwilmde
During her tenure, Tina has helped make the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast. She also recently helped complete and unveil the city’s new Urban Artist Exchange amphitheater and artist studios on Wilmington’s East Side.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
Playing “Down in the Valley” on the autoharp in kindergarten at Lore Elementary School.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
FATE!
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
Something that frequently flies under the radar is the many CityFest offspring that, with support from Cultural Affairs and other City departments, have been birthed, nurtured, and even “flown the coop” to become independent arts organizations — Jazzin’ on the Square/Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Wilmington Children’s Chorus, Art Loop, Theatre N, Wilmington Film Festival, Redding Gallery, Wilmington Black Storytelling Residency, Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency and many more.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
Having the privilege to become friends with and work with many organizational and individual collaborators that have made the aforementioned (and more) contributions to Wilmington’s cultural landscape possible.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
View what others call risks as opportunities. Set your primary goal through everything that you do, whether professional or avocational or personal, to make a difference, and do not allow perfection to be the enemy of progress.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
To feel a sense of pride in accomplishments and contributions to the common good without resting on its laurels.
What’s next for your arts journey?
I’m still deciding!
Jean Dahlgren, President, Delaware College of Art and Design
DCAD.edu | @dcadedu
Jean has led DCAD since 2018. Recently the college added a new class course with Game Art, which focuses on instruction for future game designers, 3D animators, and VFX artists of tabletop, online, and mobile games.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
Coloring on my bedroom walls and getting in trouble for it.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
We are the only independent, accredited two-year college of art and design in the country. We are members of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design and have graduated over 1000 students in our 27-year history. We proudly serve a diverse community that is 64% students of color and about 63% students from Delaware.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
Having the opportunity to lead DCAD and having my work displayed in Times Square as part of the Urban Forest project.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Don’t give up. It may sound trite, but perseverance is key. For artists, I will also add that you never know on what day you may make your best work.
What’s next for your arts journey?
Getting better at oil painting.
Sara A. Crawford, Experience Curator, Blondie Mansion
SaraACrawford.com | @sara.a.crawford
Sara has created and hosted a number of arts experiences around the City. Blondie Mansion cultivates creativity and community growth by building innovative experiences that fuse business, music, art, and impact.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
My earliest memories are of my parents sharing their talents with me. Watching my mom sew and select fabrics; watching my dad sketch plans of building something or doodling on phone books just for fun. My parents exposed me early on to travel and experience other cultures; to visit museums to view art and learn its history; and enable my fascination and love of all things Barbie.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
I could see the bigger picture of what the arts could be, and I wanted to be a part of the solution. As I would support the arts locally, I realized that I wanted to not only introduce curated experiences for the community, but I also wanted to be a resource to artists. I want to create opportunities for artists to grow and elevate their visibility.
What’s something everyone should know about your work?
Blondie Mansion assists creatives and entrepreneurs in achieving their goals and vision. We’ve built an ecosystem to support local creatives and small business owners that aid in financial growth.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
One is when New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer proclaimed April 8 “Creative Encore Day” in New Castle County. The Creative Encore was a celebration of the arts and a re-introduction of Wilmington’s MKT Place Gallery under my creative direction. I remember walking over to Matt after his presentation and saying, “Oh my God, you gave me a holiday!” I was and still am humbled by this recognition.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
Consistent support, visibility, and prioritization across the landscape.
What’s next for your arts journey?
The expansion of Blondie Mansion will include satellite pop-up experiences, creating more local and national brand collaborations for our arts communities! On Friday, March 1, Luminescence, my glow-in-the-dark art exhibition experience, will feature artist Velvet Poindexter.
Ashley SK Davis, Executive & Artistic Director, Pieces of a Dream, Inc. & Artistic Director, Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education
PiecesofaDream.org | @piecesofadreamdance
Ashley has been involved in Pieces of a Dream since 2007 and DiAE since 2017. She and artist Terrance Vann were commissioned by Delaware Art Museum to create a piece commemorating 1968, the occupation of Wilmington by the National Guard following MLK’s assassination.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
I remember taking ballet and tap classes at the Brandywine YMCA. At the end of tap class, we were instructed to stomp loud enough so that people in Boston Market could hear us. The tap teacher in me would never do this, but it was my favorite part of class.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
I’ve been a part of Wilmington arts for most of my life. I began dance lessons at Christina Cultural Arts Center. Throughout high school, my arts experience was framed by CCAC classes and performances at Delaware Theatre Company, The Grand, and The Playhouse. When I was considering where to launch Pieces of a Dream, a return to Wilmington felt completely natural. I love the vibrance of our city, and it is joyous to be stopped in the grocery store by a middle-schooler asking if I’m that lady who dances in the park. Why, yes, I am.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
We’re proud of our 70 students ranging from age 2 through 72! In 2022, we premiered Ode (OWED) to BLACK WOMEN, a piece examining the role of Black women’s patriotism in America. We will perform this work again March 17-18. On April 20, we’ll partner with DuPont Environmental Education Center to present the National Water Dance, highlighting the role of natural waterways in our urban ecosystems.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
In 2017, I was privileged to travel to South Africa with the production Same Story/Different Countries, the brainchild of Dr. Lynnette Overby. The time spent performing and teaching in Johannesburg and Cape Town expanded my understanding of the world and impacted my approach to community engagement and performance.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Make friends and meet people! To have the greatest impact, we must collaborate. There are many people striving toward the same goals, and folks are interested in the things that excite you. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need!
Gayle Dillman, CEO, Gable Music Ventures
GableMusicVentures.com | @gablemusicventures
Gayle created Gable in 2012 to provide a resource for local independent music artists and create more performance opportunities. Today, Gable’s Ladybug Festival is the largest female-focused music festival in the country.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
My memories about the arts are powerful and go back a long time. I was greatly impacted by my family’s involvement with the Delaware Children’s Museum’s inception. It definitely inspired my desire to help make an impact in elevating Wilmington as an arts community.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
“Purpose” is a huge part of Gable Music Ventures. Running a for-profit arts organization is a challenging road, particularly as we are committed to fairly compensating artists. There really is no big pay day, just lots of work to continue to make the creative economy stronger in Wilmington. and many more.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
At the first Hometown Heroes Award, we won for Best Special Event — The Ladybug Music Festival — and it was transformative both personally and professionally. It was a validation that this festival was, and continues to be, vital for the arts identity of Wilmington.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
It’s important to find a way to make your art sustainable. Have a strategy, a business plan. Be inspired, explore, embrace your gift, share it. But focus on how to make it sustainable.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
More focused dedication from a consortium of all the businesses to help fund the arts. Additionally, individuals and businesses alike must show up and support everything from the small to large events. Everyone truly can make a difference in elevating arts in Wilmington.
Molly Giordano, Executive Director, Delaware Art Museum
DelArt.org | @delartmuseum
Molly has been Executive Director since 2021. She has led efforts to develop more diverse artists, performances, and partnerships; presented a world-class international exhibition in partnership with Tate Britain; and bolstered community outreach and free programming.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
My mom helped run a community art center in my hometown. Most of my earliest memories are art-related! I was always hanging around the art classes, and at home, I had my own easel set up in the kitchen.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
I love that Wilmington has such a rich arts culture and history. I wanted to be part of a community that cares about culture, aesthetics, and the power that comes from art and community intersecting.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
Everyone should know that we are so much more than our collection! We have an amazing studio program for people of all ages and abilities, a sculpture garden that is open for free from dawn to dusk, and an artistic kids’ play room.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Get involved in arts advocacy early and often. Our ability to serve our missions and broaden impact depends on the collective message of our critical value, and how important it is to fund this work.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
A year ago, I would have said an independent bookstore. But my dreams have come true with Huxley & Hiro on Market Street.
What’s next for your arts journey?
The Delaware Arts Alliance is releasing a big study later this year that maps non-profit and for-profit economic impact across the state. The report will include policy recommendations to strengthen the sector. I’m looking forward to discussions with elected officials to determine how our government entities can more strongly support the arts.
Eunice La Fate, Owner, LaFate Gallery
LafateGallery.com | @lafategallery
Since her gallery opening in 2015, Eunice has been a staunch advocate for the downtown Wilmington renaissance and supporter of Market Street business and arts scene. Her gallery is one of the longest-running businesses in the LoMa District.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
As a child growing up in Jamaica, I was fascinated with the beauty of nature. I started creating art on the walls of my home at age 7.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
My volunteer work at the Walnut Street YMCA was the renaissance of my folk-art talent, which had been dormant for years. The City Art Loop staff encouraged me to be a part of Wilmington arts. I was also given the opportunity by Out & About Magazine to create artwork for a cover in 1993; that was the catalyst for LaFate Gallery, now in its 31st year.
What’s something everyone should know about your work?
LaFate Gallery is more than an exhibit space. It is a “vision center” for the community, as my son, Jermaine, noted at the ribbon-cutting in 2015. After losing my husband in May 2015, I contemplated moving to New York. I prayed about it and received a vision to open a gallery in Wilmington. Now, my gallery serves children, youth, and adults through free art and heritage classes as well as caregiving and grief coping art classes.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
Producing the documentary, Arts As Prevention in 2013, and mentoring emerging artists.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Focus on giving back to the community and get engaged in supporting artists. “It takes a village…”
Tizzy Lockman, State Senator, Delaware General Assembly
Legis.Delaware.gov | @tizzylockman
Tizzy is the State Senator for Delaware’s Third Senate District and the Co-Chair of the Delaware State Arts Caucus.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
I have such fond memories of school field trips to The Grand and The Playhouse. Even as a Wilmington kid, there was something about pulling into downtown Wilmington on a yellow school bus with my classmates from all over the county that always felt so special.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
The people! We have a wonderful culture of passionate arts practitioners who are not only incredibly talented artists but also care about justice and quality of life in our city, state, and nation. Anything I can do to be supportive of and involved in projects with such folks always feels like a gift.
What’s something everyone should know about your work?
I cofounded a community dinner collective called Wilmington STIR (Sitting Together Is Radical) with friends including Michael Kalmbach, Margaret Winslow, the late Rysheema Dixon, and others, where artists and community builders pitched a project to the room and could win a bag of money to help them accomplish it. It was beautiful, and it’s been on hiatus, but I’d love to bring it back again.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
I was the community liaison for the first few seasons of Delaware Shakespeare’s Community Tour, where a world-class Shakespeare performance is brought into unconventional spaces to audiences who may not otherwise experience such a performance. There are challenges in presenting art in any context, but especially of a kind that can feel historically or culturally remote and inaccessible, to audiences that have been alienated from it, and maybe didn’t even ask for it! It took patience and humility on the part of everyone involved and generated some of the greatest moments of humanity and grace I have ever experienced.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Find and build your nurturing community.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
To be more widely appreciated.
Kerry Kristine McElrone, Artistic Director, City Theater Company
City-Theater.org | @CityTheaterCo
Kerry has been an integral part of CTC since its inception — as actor, director, designer, marketing manager, and now the first woman Artistic Director in the organization’s history. CTC is proud to celebrate its 30th season this year.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
I’ve always been a bit of a performer. I apparently “stole the show” at my first ballet recital at age 4, by escaping backstage chaperones and dancing solo onstage, uninvited, to take a final bow with my teacher Mr. Novak!
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
When I was an undergrad, one of CTC’s founders was the area coordinator of my dorm. I introduced myself and we became great friends. As he launched CTC, I got pulled along for the ride (literally, he drove me here). I was still a teenager, hanging out with these cool people in their 20s and 30s — doing plays, going to bars and restaurants, meeting all sorts of artists. It was such a creative vibe at that time, and I was completely here for it.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
CTC was ‘born’ in a bar (O’Friel’s Irish Pub to be exact!) in the great tradition of “pub theater,” where storytelling happens mere feet from the audience, and everyone is part of the experience. Thirty years later, we’re still doing this kind of work. Our partnership with The Delaware Contemporary is in its third year, and just like the art on exhibit, we’re presenting contemporary art that lives and breathes via a canvas of actors, sharing stories in all their colors with you seated close enough to touch.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
I’d say probably everything I’ve gotten to do because I began doing theater here. I’ve been a consistently working actor for 30 years because of CTC, which is mind-blowing to me. It’s opened many doors to other professional opportunities and personal relationships along the way. Best of all, I have found a family — including my husband — in the incredible artists working here.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Go. Do. It. Whatever medium speaks to you, do it wherever and whenever you can and be present for it. Recognize that whether your work touches one person or a thousand people, you’re doing what you’re supposed to do as an artist.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
Support! See your neighbor’s art show, band, play, dance recital. Donate to the non-profit organizations making these things possible. We have so much talent here and so many worthy companies and communities and individuals doing the damn thing, big, small, and in-between. Also, can we have coffee available somewhere after 6 p.m. and on weekends?
A.T. Moffett, Executive Director, Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education
DiAE.org | @DiAE_arts
A.T. began her role at DiAE in 2022. Under her leadership, DiAE recently received a Challenge America grant of $10,000 to support arts learning professional development for early childhood educators.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
Dancing and performing for my family at home! My grandmother suggested to my mom that she enroll me in dance classes to help build my confidence. Thankfully, mom took that advice. My family and community invested in my artistic journey from an early age, and I’m thankful to be able to do that in this community through my work with DiAE.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
What I treasure most about the arts in Wilmington is the passion around creating opportunities for young people to experience the arts and to develop their craft. Whether we’re talking about the Boysie Lowry residency, classes at CCAC, or the Urban Artist Exchange, our arts leaders are committed to a vision of how critical artistic experiences are for our young people.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
The thing I love to share about our work is that all our programs are customized to the host teacher’s curriculum, and all take place during the school day. Residencies are created collaboratively with the teacher, gifted teaching artists, and our artistic director, a true expert in arts integration. I think the deep creative collaboration that happens is something folks outside of schools would find exciting.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
My career has evolved from a dancer/choreographer to dance professor and now an arts administrator. Dance opened doors to life-changing stages like the Lincoln Center, Philly’s Annenberg Center, and university dance classrooms where students and colleagues expanded my practice beyond what I could have imagined, and now to DiAE, an anchor arts education institution. My most cherished accomplishment is to have lived an artful life and to be able to support the artful lives of others.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
The best piece of advice comes from my mentor Dr. Lynnette Overby. She taught me that whenever possible, collaborate across disciplines and perspectives. Doing so will allow you to create something more meaningful than can be done from a single vantage point.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
More established, sustainable pathways for arts-oriented high school and college students to learn about and become involved in Wilmington’s arts organizations.
What’s next for your arts journey?
DiAE recently received our first NEA grant, which we will use to support our Delaware Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts program. My colleague Ashley SK Davis and I are traveling to Slovenia this summer to present DiAE’s work at an international conference. I’m excited to see what we learn and can bring back to our community!
Nataki Oliver, The Sold Firm Art Gallery
TheSoldFirm.com | @thesoldfirm
Nataki opened the doors of The Sold Firm Gallery in 2019, with the vision of representing contemporary emerging artists across genres and styles and highlighting works by artists unable to exhibit in larger institutions.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
Drawing on the bathroom walls at age 7 or 8.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
My initial plan was to make my mark in the NYC arts scene. After the recession, I moved back to my hometown of Wilmington. I noticed that the needs and recognition of local (particularly African-American) artists weren’t being met, and I decided to amplify their voices by opening an inclusive space for extremely talented, contemporary visual artists.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
The gallery provides a concierge art collector service. It starts with a consultation, budget analysis, and selection, and ends with delivery and installation of the artwork. If you have never been to a Wilmington art gallery, plan a visit. If you can afford to invest in artwork, please support a Wilmington local artist.
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
I’d have to say when an NYC born-and-raised friend came for an exhibit viewing. They were overwhelmed with emotion because this was their first experience stepping foot in an art gallery. They harbored a fear that they wouldn’t be accepted walking into an art gallery until they came to The Sold Firm.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Launch social media channels for your work to be seen versus just images of yourself. Participate in as many vending and art fair opportunities as you financially can handle. Know your worth. Learn your signature style but also embrace its evolution over time.
What’s next for your arts journey?
We are continuing the Soft Girl Era: Art Series. Our next exhibition opens April 5 by artist Shonté Young-Williams; Authenticity is Act III of the series. Our third-year partnership of The Art Space with New Castle County Art Studios & Y.it Art Life Studios begins in April. It’s a 12-week visual arts training program for ages 13-18. We’ll exhibit their artwork at the finale in July.
Kerriann Otaño, Vice President of Engagement, OperaDelaware
OperaDE.org | @OperaDelaware
Kerriann is relatively new to our arts scene, putting down roots here about 18 months ago. Since then, she’s worked tirelessly to carry out her mission of “joyful advocacy” and share the power and excitement of her art form.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
I remember dancing on a desk at my mom’s job because I was obsessed with Shirley Temple and fully believed I could tap dance. I was five and a major ham already.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
My husband and I moved here in Summer 2022, and I fell in love with both the artists and audiences. I love advocating for people to be curious and explore all the arts and culture we have here. I’m an Opera Hype Girl first and foremost, but this community turned me into a Wilmington Hype Girl!
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
OperaDelaware is the 11th oldest opera company in America. It was founded on a mission of creating Opera for All, and that continues today with our diverse, creative engagement initiatives, Pop-Up Opera, and Microgalas statewide. There are also new operas being written today that are workshopped and premiered here in Wilmington!
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
I’m proud of the TEDTalk I did in Nashville about opera, joyful advocacy, and engaging people’s curiosity. It was released in January, and I’ve gotten many messages from people saying, “I’m going to go see my first opera because of you!”
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Do it scared. Sometimes, I feel scared when approaching new projects but then I remind myself that I’m scared because I care, I want to be great, I want to make magic. Don’t let fear stop you!
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
A hype squad of arts lovers advocating in the community! We’ve got something special here, we should be proud to live here and experience the arts in Wilmington
What’s next for your arts journey?
Taking it a day at a time, but the Opera Revolution is happening and it’s starting in Delaware!
Leslie Shaffer, Executive Director, The Delaware Contemporary
DeContemporary.org | @decontemporary
Leslie has led The Contemporary for nearly seven years. She’s helped the museum expand its artistic collaborations with partners like City Theater Company, OperaDelaware, and Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency as well as develop programs like A+ Nights, ArtSource artist registry, and West Street Art Festival.
What’s your earliest arts-related memory?
My parents took us to see the King Tut exhibition in Toronto. I remember moving through in a long line with loads of people. There was a lot of old stuff under cases and lots of gold. It wasn’t until middle school that I became more engaged with art.
What made you want to be part of this arts scene?
My family relocated to the area in 2016. I was involved in the arts as a professional in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Baltimore, DC, and New Haven, but this was an unconscious decision. While house hunting, I brought my kids to The Delaware Contemporary. I remember walking through the galleries thinking how financially dangerous it would be for me to work here — I wanted to buy everything on the walls! Less than two years later, I found myself here.
What’s something everyone should know about your organization?
For me, the artists who occupy our 25 studios are our biggest asset. We have great diversity represented through medium, content, process, and people. Throughout the year, these studios are open to the public. They can meet the artists, see how and where they work, and purchase artwork. It’s a privilege to work in an environment surrounded by living, working artists
What’s your most cherished arts-related accomplishment?
I have many. What drives me is seeing the “a-ha” moment in others. Whether an artist whose exhibition finally came together in the way they wanted; a visitor absorbed in connecting with a work of art; or a young professional seeing a project unfold, the magic of discovery through art is what I cherish.
Your best advice to future artists/arts leaders?
Be curious, take risks, be flexible, stop looking at the clock, and do your best to get the job done.
Finish this sentence: “Wilmington’s arts scene truly needs…”
State and city support through direct dollars.
— There are many ways you can support the arts: serve on a board, volunteer as an usher, attend opening nights, answer fundraising calls with whatever you can spare… The arts are an essential part of the human experience. And they need you to show up and be a part.
Above: H. Raye Jones-Avery has dedicated much of her life to eliminating access barriers to arts education. Photo by Joe del Tufo.