Art inspires all of us!

The Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild brings together artists, writers and the music of Stuart Vining for a unique event called Art In the A.M., which celebrated its 5-year anniversary June 8, at the Glade Clubhouse in Rehoboth.

Every month, Executive Director Maribeth Fischer seeks out local artists who welcome an opportunity to showcase their work. She finds them featured in Delaware Beach Life profiles and in area galleries, and receives referrals from throughout the art community. Three pieces of artwork are posted on the RBWG website a month prior to the performance. Writers examine these works, and nine of them are inspired to write and read a 300-word essay about one piece of artwork.

Fischer boasts, “Those five years equal roughly 60 events, 180 works of art and over 500 pieces of original writing. We’ve had painters, mixed-media collage, photographers, woodcarvers, handcrafted books, quilts and painted furniture.”

No editing is done by the guild, and writers are free to choose their own genre. First-time readers are encouraged and applauded.

In honor of the 5-year anniversary, the June format was altered to mix things up a bit. Once the writers signed up to read, the artists were given a choice of songs in Stuart Vining’s repertoire.

Vining chooses his songs by looking at the art for inspiration, too. “It's always a surprise which song appears in my mind. After that, it's hours of practicing a particular arrangement for each song that I think fits the mood I've gotten from the artwork.”

Randy Roberts, an avid photo hobbyist, visual artist Susan Frey, and Dennis Young, proprietor of the Mo’zArt Gallery in New Castle, were three local artists who shared their works June 8.

The songs chosen for the June event included "Someday Soon" by Ian Tyson (1963) to accompany Dennis Young’s painting of a woman. "White Room" by Cream (1968) was inspired by Susan Frey’s work. "Hard Times, Come Again No More" by Stephen Foster (1854) accompanied the photos by Randy Roberts.

Roberts photographed a sculpture by Kwame Akoto-Bamfo of a slave in chains, which he viewed at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala.

“This piece by Kwame Akoto-Bamfo just hit me to the core, and I focused my lens on the main character of the sculpture but made sure I had the hand reaching in the scene,” he said. “Art in the A.M. is such a wonderful way to not only show and explain the backstory of your work, but to hear how you’ve inspired writers.”

Artist Fred Dylla asks, “Can there be a better treat for the eyes and ears than a morning spent at Art in the A.M.?” He said he finds himself reinspired and delighted by the musings of writers’ guild members and the guild’s musical troubadour, Stuart Vining.

The idea for this event grew out of a collaboration with the Rehoboth Art League more than 10 years ago, when I used to lead art-inspired free writes in the evenings at the RAL campus. Writer and artist Kim Klabe was part of the collaboration, and RAL’s Rose Murray was extremely supportive in helping me find artists to share their work.

However, attendance for the art-inspired evening was low, so Fischer, Vining and I discussed the idea of hosting a morning get-together instead, posting the art online, and the event’s popularity blossomed.

One of the most amazing gifts about retiring to this area has been the exposure to the volume of talented artists, writers and musicians who now have the time to explore their own craft. I am fortunate to be the emcee of Art in the A.M. where I can meet new artists, see the delighted audience and relish in the melodies.

One participant, artist Rita M. Poore, said, “Hearing how a visual piece you've created inspires someone to put down words is rare. Come, witness and share this truly unique morning. On my day, I left with such gratitude, amazement and respect – what a great way to start my day, and the feelings lingered throughout the week.”

Biographies of local artists are available at every Art in the A.M. event. Find out more about Susan Frey’s work on Facebook, go to randylroberts.com, and visit dennisyoungarts.com. To sign up to attend or participate in next month’s event Wednesday, July 13, go to rehobothbeachwritersguild.com.

Art in the A.M. is held from 10 to 11:15 a.m., the second Wednesday of every month at the Glade Clubhouse off Holland Glade Road north of Rehoboth Beach. Plan to come at 9:45 to grab coffee and a nibble, and meet fellow enthusiasts. Donations of a minimum of $5 per person are welcome, and the guild is seeking $250 sponsorships to cover the cost of each event.