Art in the AM set in Rehoboth June 7

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, June 7, 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). "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.

The June artists include Lewes self-taught artist Howard J. Eberle, who has been painting in transparent watercolor since 1973 and professionally since 1990. Born in Baltimore but having lived in Pennsylvania for over 45 years, Eberle has two paintings which reside in the permanent collection of the State Museum of Pennsylvania.

Eberle is a member of numerous and prestigious groups including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, and the International Society of Experimental Artists. He has been a member of the Rehoboth Art League for over 20 years. His works are represented by The Peninsula Gallery in Lewes and the McBride Gallery in Annapolis. Eberle considers himself a portrait painter of objects and is drawn to architectural and textural elements - peeled paint, rust, wood and stone. He is inspired by the challenge of using composition and elements of design to create a powerful painting in a style he calls "abstract realism."

Faith Lord has been creating art most of her life - painting on walls, furniture, and clothing, which eventually led her to fine art. For the past 20 years, Lord has used her intuitive style of painting to communicate her beliefs and opinions. Often called a "symbolist composite painter," she enjoys creating multiple layers and hidden symbolic meanings in her work. Lord has won numerous awards, and her work is held in private collections throughout the U.S.

Finally, with the work of Don Matzkin, the June event will feature a photograph. Matzkin - who enjoyed a 40-year architecture career in Friday Architects/Planners, the Philadelphia firm he and his wife founded in 1970 - bought his first camera in 1962, midway through his final year in architecture school. It was that camera that produced this month's featured photo, taken in the late 1960s. Although Matzkin once considered a full-fledged leap into photography, architecture intervened. He continued to take pictures, albeit with diminished intensity, and has yet to become comfortable working in the digital mode.

Since 2010, Matzkin and his wife, Arlene (a painter featured in the March Art in the AM) have lived full time in Lewes, where Matzkin is currently chair of the board of the Lewes Historical Society and is heavily involved in the creation of the Lewes History Museum in the former Lewes Public Library building.

"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.