Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival set Sept. 26-27 in Lewes

The colors of sea glass will be on display along with an amazing selection of art at the Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27. The event will benefit the Lewes Historical Society and take place at various society-owned properties in Lewes.

The focus in the event’s 11th year is to educate the public on the historic origins of sea glass and glass history over the past three centuries, while keeping the community safe. The festival will feature 40 sea glass and coastal-themed artists in various mediums including authentic sea glass, wood, photography, painting, ceramics, metal and sculpture.

“For this year’s event we are selling advance, timed tickets online in order to manage the number of people at the festival at any given time,” said Dana Ferreri, LHS events coordinator. “We will have one entry point and one exit, and a designated path for attendees to follow throughout the grounds. Vendors will be spaced throughout the campus along with plenty of hand sanitizing stations. Everyone will be wearing a face covering.” 

With greater environmental awareness, there has been a decline in naturally occurring sea glass, creating a demand for rare, unique and older pieces. The Lewes Historical Society will showcase these unique finds at the festival and offer opportunities for attendees to display their own treasures as well as learn more about the history of sea glass.

Author and North American Sea Glass Association Education Chair Mary McCarthy will be at the LHS Museum Store and Information Center at 302 Savannah Road. McCarthy, who is also the executive director of the recently opened Beachcombing Center near St. Michaels, Md., will offer her expertise to show attendees in identifying the origin of their sea glass shards. She will also bring an educational display from her own personal sea glass collection. Collectors can enter their favorite pieces of sea glass in the Beach Combing Treasure Contest at the Savannah Road location. McCarthy is also a featured virtual speaker, along with “Pure Sea Glass” author Richard LaMotte. Their informative presentations will be available for attendees to view by scanning a QR code available at the event over the weekend. 

The Lewes Historical Society's main campus at 110 Shipcarpenter St. will house various exhibitions highlighting sea glass shards and corresponding historic glassware from the past 300 years. Organized by sea glass enthusiast Stu Jacobs, these fascinating and educational displays will showcase multiple sea glass exhibits from private collections, as well as antique glassware. Jacobs’ daughter Emily will display a dress she made entirely out of sea glass. This exhibit will be housed in the society’s 18th century Rabbit’s Ferry House. Visitors can walk through the building and view thousands of pieces of sea glass. Capacity will be closely monitored at all times for everyone’s safety.

The Kids Area: What is It? will be situated in the Outdoor Garden at the Cannonball House, 118 Front St. Festival attendees can bring their children to view and discover the origins of mysterious shards of sea glass and other unique beach finds from all over the world. Capacity will be limited in this outdoor venue as well, and face masks must be worn by everyone.

Parking shuttles with limited capacity will run from the University of Delaware Virden Center to the LHS main campus all weekend. The society asks attendees to arrive in town well in advance of their ticketed entry time, and bring cashless payments or exact change.

Timed tickets for the main campus venue are available to purchase online, or at the gate on event days, if available. The other Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival venues can be visited any time during the event with proof of ticket purchase, but have limited capacity due to government mandates. Admission to the festival's main campus events will be $5 for each 1 1/2-hour increment, or $20 for a full-day pass allowing everyone to attend in a safe and manageable way. Children under 12 may attend free. 

For more information, or to volunteer to help make this year’s event safe and fun, call 302-645-7670.