Art in the AM set in Rehoboth Feb. 1
Three local artists, nine writers and a musician will present a unique collaborative performance, Art in the AM, from 10 to 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the clubhouse of The Glade in Rehoboth Beach. Hosted by the Rehoboth Beach Writers' Guild, the event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required. To reserve a space, email fischer.maribeth@gmail.com.
Rehoboth Beach Writers' Guild Executive Director Maribeth Fischer says, "Think of it as a three-act play with each act featuring one artist. While a painting by artist A is being displayed, three writers will read the short (300 words or fewer) original poem, memoir excerpt or flash fiction that the painting inspired. This will be followed by a live song performed by musician Stuart Vining, who will explain what in the painting prompted his choice of song, and finally, the artist will speak about his or her own inspiration for the work."
The goal is to get people talking and thinking about the different ways people express themselves and to use one art form (writing or music) to talk about another (painting). Can writing about art inspire writers to delve deeper into their imaginations? Does hearing a song inspired by a painting change the way one views that painting? "Each month the writing, art and music intersect in surprising ways," says Cape Gazette columnist Lisa Graff, who will emcee the event and who led the guild's art-inspired Free Writes for four years.
February's show features two artists in the same family - painter Joe Terrone and his son Chris, an accomplished photographer - along with artist Nina Mickelsen, who specializes in bright, bold abstracts. They all submitted their paintings to be posted on the guild's website, giving the writers time to choose and then study the work they are using for inspiration in their writings.
Lewes artist Mickelsen, who came to art after a long international business career in Europe and the U.S., is a Finland native who grew up with Nordic and Scandinavian design. She loves bright colors, bold shapes and crisp, strong lines. She draws her inspiration from nature but also from contemporary design. She specializes in silk screen, but experiments with the process, using rapid wrist movements with a squeegee or sometimes painting over unusual surfaces such as canvas, wood board and resin. She studied printmaking, painting and graphic design at the Corcoran School of Art and Design, and George Washington University, both in Washington, D.C. Her work is shown at galleries along the East Coast.
Chris Terrone's passion is landscape photography. He tries to capture unique views of the world, focusing on the here and now, that moment in time where everything seems to stand still. After graduating from Montclair State University, he was accepted into a number of juried shows throughout New Jersey and Delaware. Most recently, he was accepted into the Biggs Museum Biggs Shot photography contest for his piece "The Lamb." Chris currently travels between the U.S. and Paris, where he has worked as an art consultant in the Village Suisse. To view more of his work, go to www.terronephotography.com.
Joseph Terrone is a professional Delaware-based artist who graduated from Pratt Institute with a master’s in fine arts in painting. He has earned New Jersey state certification as an art instructor. Joe's plein air paintings have been collected throughout the country and have been included in shows at the Brooklyn Museum and BACA Cultural Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. His painting "Last Snow" was selected as a finalist in The Artist's Magazine's 28th annual competition. His painting "Time For A Change" won first prize in the regional juried show at The Art Center of Northern New Jersey. A member of numerous plein air societies, Joe is also a member of and art instructor for the Rehoboth Art League. He also teaches classes at his Rehoboth studio. For more information, go to www.joeterrone.com.
"We want this to be casual and fun, igniting conversations and ideas," says Fischer. "Writing and painting are often such solitary activities. Even the reading of literature in public or the viewing of art can seem such serious and solemn endeavors. That's not what this is."
Coffee and pastries will be served. For more information, go to www.rehobothbeachwritersguild.com. For specific questions about Art in the AM or to RSVP, email fischer.maribeth@gmail.com.
