Reception set March 14 for Lewes Art in Bloom mosaic mural

Art in Bloom, a committee of Lewes in Bloom, has engaged mosaic artist Lorelei Meanor to design and craft a 100-foot mosaic mural on the inner pedestrian walls of the Lewes Drawbridge. The State of Delaware, which owns the property, has granted Lewes in Bloom a right-of-way agreement to place the mosaic on the bridge. This mosaic mural will be the first of its kind in Lewes and probably all of Delaware.

More than 50 volunteers have been involved in creating the mosaic. On completion, its length will be 100 feet long, with four sections of 25 feet each. The sections will be mounted when DelDOT finishes painting the bridge after several months of repairs. 

“The concrete walls of the bridge serve as a blank canvas on which the story of this vibrant waterway can be told in a colorful, elegant design depicting life in the water that flows under the bridge and in the Delaware Bay.

“One of the goals of this project is to also tell a story about the participation of volunteers in public art projects. It provides an outlet for creativity and building community pride all while preserving the charm and culture of Lewes,” said artist Meanor. 

Volunteers are cutting mosaic tiles and stained-glass fish, gluing the pieces to substrate, grouting and sealing the mosaic, and will then secure the mural on the bridge. 

To kick off fundraising for the project, Lewes in Bloom/Art in Bloom invites the public to a Meet-the-Artist reception Saturday, March 14, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Peninsula Gallery on Savannah Road. However, the public is also invited to view the panels Friday, March 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A limited number of paper giclee prints signed by the artist will be available at the reception. Each print, consisting of a 16” x 20” image with a two-inch white border, is printed on archival paper using archival inks, mounted on foam core and individually signed by Meanor. A certificate of authenticity and a 15 percent-off coupon for custom framing at Peninsula Gallery will accompany the print. The paper prints are $125.

Meanor resides in Lewes and actively teaches students the art of mosaics. She is known for her mosaic artwork, having shown her work throughout Delaware. She won first prize at a Rehoboth Art League craft show in 2015 and rebuilt a crumbling mosaic that had been donated to the art league in 2016. That piece is now in its permanent collection. She has won awards at the Biggs Museum in Dover and Milton Art Guild, where she also volunteers. Her work is on display at Gallery One in Bethany Beach. She once had a mosaic that hung in Senator Carper’s Office in Dover. In addition, she has taught mosaics at Rehoboth Art League to all level of students. 

Art in Bloom is a committee of Lewes in Bloom. Its mission is to enhance the beautification and cultural environment of Historic Lewes and the community at large by means of public art. Lewes in Bloom and Art in Bloom work together to enhance the natural beauty of Lewes - a community that values art and culture. Lewes in Bloom is a component fund of the GLF.