Judeth Pekala Hawkins, Eating White
This summer, The Delaware Contemporary presents Radius — our annual artist invitational, rooted in place and brimming with purpose. “Radius” names more than geography; it defines a field of connection. A 250-mile circle drawn around our Riverfront Wilmington home becomes a region of resonance, gathering artists who live and work within this shared proximity.
This year’s invitational unfolds as seven exhibitions, organized by five curatorial teams. Each exhibition offers a distinct perspective — but together, they speak to something deeper: a shared urgency to create with intention and authenticity. Through unexpected pairings and conceptual overlaps, these shows provoke dialogue between artists, materials, and viewers alike.
More than a survey of regional talent, this season is a collective articulation of practice as place — and place as presence. Within this radius, we find the pulse of contemporary art as it lives, breathes, and works through us.
“I’m excited to contribute to The Delaware Contemporary’s legacy,” said Brett. “Building on the exceptional work of the staff, board, and artists, I look forward to guiding the institution into its next quarter-century on Wilmington’s waterfront—and in 2029, celebrating its 50th year of serving the community. Centered in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, I envision The Delaware Contemporary as a creative engine for the region with art as an essential part of everyone’s lives, and a contributor to the national dialogue on contemporary art.”
GUEST BARTENDING
We invite you to join us and our guest bartenders - staff, board members, and studio artists - for an evening of drinks, fun, and friendly rivalry in supporting The Delaware Contemporary at BBC Tavern and Grill!
Thursday, July 31
6 — 9 PM
ART AFTER HOURS
Hosted by Sara Crawford of Blondie Mansion, Art After Hours transforms The Delaware Contemporary into a lively evening destination celebrating creativity in all its forms.
Experience a curated mix of live music and dynamic entertainment alongside a vibrant marketplace of artisan and DIY vendors. From handcrafted goods to immersive encounters, this after-hours gathering invites guests to explore the intersection of contemporary art, local culture, and community connection.
Wednesday, August 13
6 — 9 PM
25TH ON THE RIVERFRONT GALA
Join us to celebrate our 45 years as a beacon for radical imagination, a space where art knows no boundaries and no final form, and 25 years calling the Riverfront our home! To celebrate where we’ve been, where we are now, and what comes next, we’d be honored to have you as our guests at this milestone event.
Saturday, September 27
5 PM VIP | 6— 9 PM
For 25 years, we’ve proudly called Riverfront Wilmington home. In recognition of this historic organizational milestone, The Delaware Contemporary is embarking on a brick naming campaign. This is an opportunity for you, our loyal patrons, to recognize someone (or something) of importance in your life, and we would be honored if you chose to participate by purchasing a brick.
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JOIN ARTSOURCE
The ArtSource registry promotes working artists of our region through exhibitions, residencies, and commissioned projects.
Emmanuel Aboagye, Dancing With a Loved One
COLLECT/APPLY
VALLEY GARDEN (BECKLER)
Approaching collage and assemblage as a form of “collecting” lays bare the ties between material and meaning. The symbolism of the collected objects and the form the collection takes may reveal the artist’s need to ritualistically amass and reinterpret. In this exhibition, Collect/Apply, the surface of the artist’s finished works act as a substrate revealing the multifaceted nature of the materials themselves, whether that be based on their aesthetic qualities or as a tool for reference and representation. This exhibition features four artists of the Delaware Contemporary’s ArtSource Artist Registry: Emmanuel Aboagye, Eric Anthony Berdis, Andy Vible, and Barbara Ziselberger, who are all working with collage methods.
Brian Richmond, Burger King Fries
GUISE/TRICKERY
LOBBY
Brian Richmond creates hyper-realistic renditions of mass-produced packaging. Adept in paper modelling and painting, Brian tricks the viewer into seeing “trash”. His work addresses the pervasiveness of single-use packaging and the “highly manufactured refuse that permeates our daily lives and environments in such a powerful way that we hardly notice it anymore”. By blurring the lines between illusion and actuality, Brian exploits trickery to enrich the viewer’s experience, encouraging them to explore layers of meaning beyond the surface
Caroline Chen, Scale
SCALES
ELIZABETH DENISON HATCH GALLERY
For Caroline Brown, scales evoke an underwater world—her refuge and inspiration. For Caroline Chen, it speaks to practice and process. Together, they also explore a third dimension—scale as size and intensity. They explore how the physical scale of a piece shapes how it's experienced by both the artist and the viewer.
