DOVER, DE – The creative talents of Delaware state employees and their families took center stage at the 13th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition, held from February 27 to March 22, 2024, at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University. This year’s exhibition, a vibrant showcase of artistic skill and imagination, featured a remarkable 180 submissions competing for prestigious awards and cash prizes.
The event, sponsored by the National Arts Program in collaboration with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, offers a unique platform for artists of all levels within the state’s workforce. From amateurs to professionals, and even young budding artists, participants had the chance to display their work, gain recognition, and vie for significant financial rewards.
Prize categories were diverse, ensuring opportunities for recognition across the spectrum of talent:
- A coveted Best of Show Award, carrying a $400 prize.
- For adults, ranging from amateur to professional, First Place winners received $350, Second Place $250, and Third Place $150.
- Youth and Teen artists were not left behind, with First Place taking home $150, Second Place $100, and Third Place $50.
- An Art Education Award offered $200 for arts instruction and materials reimbursement.
- The People’s Choice Award, determined by Facebook and in-person ballots, added an interactive element to the competition.
The exhibition was judged by a panel of professional artists and visual art experts, ensuring a fair and esteemed evaluation process. Additional awards, including Honorable Mentions, were granted at the discretion of the judges, with a rule in place limiting each artist to one cash award per classification to spread recognition among the talented participants.
Open to current employees of the State of Delaware and their immediate family members, the exhibition required that all entries be original works completed within the last three years. This stipulation highlighted the contemporary creativity flourishing within the Delaware state workforce and their families.
The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition stands as a testament to the rich artistic talents embedded in the community of Delaware’s public servants. It not only celebrates their artistic achievements but also encourages a continued engagement with the arts, enhancing the cultural fabric of the state. As this year’s exhibition draws to a close, the anticipation for next year’s showcase of local talent begins to build, promising another round of exceptional creativity and artistic expression.
The 2024 Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition winners are:
Best of Show: Hyo Lee from Dover
Art Education Award: Nathanael Taylor from Milton
People’s Choice Award (Online): Sarah Silves from Dover, DE
People’s Choice Award (In-person): Naomi Smith from Dover, DE
Special Awards
- Special Award, Monotone: Casey Williams from Brighton, MA
- Special Award, Craft: Maggie Wieber from Denton, MD
- Special Award, Nature: Meg Grotti from Hockessin
- Special Award, Portrait: Jasmine Davis from Dover
- Special Award, Abstract: Raymond Lewis from Wilmington
Professional Category:
- First Place: Brianna Shetzler from Clayton
- Second Place: Sharif Sadiq from Seaford
- Third Place: Joseph Repetti from Newark
- Honorable Mention: Alex Mercado from Clayton
- Honorable Mention: Yaprak Soysal from Wilmington
- Honorable Mention: Rick Burrow from Camden-Wyoming
Intermediate Category:
- First Place: Christopher Vasil from Ocean View
- Second Place: Elizabeth Chen from Middletown
- Third Place: Ashley Holmes from Clayton
- Honorable Mention: Dan Friedrichsen
- Honorable Mention: Ricki Truitt from Bridgeville
- Honorable Mention: Jenesis Prioleau from Smyrna
Amateur Category:
- First Place: Cyndi Holbrook from North East, MD
- Second Place: Jeff Dorsch from Milton
- Third Place: Kelly Nichol from Wilmington
- Honorable Mention: Allison Sharp from Wyoming
- Honorable Mention: Marcella Little from Bear
- Honorable Mention: Emily Keulmann from Newark
Teen Category:
- First Place: Kamora Jones from Wilmington
- Second Place: Jolene Pham from Townsend
- Third Place: EJ Egloff from Middletown
- Honorable Mention: Alayna Reese from Townsend
- Honorable Mention: Cora Brinson from Middletown
- Honorable Mention: Alliyah Gallimore-Prado from Wilmington
- Honorable Mention: Bella Burgett from Magnolia
Youth Category:
- First Place: Izzabella West from Camden
- Second Place: Genevieve Dinsmore from Wilmington
- Third Place: Sabrina Rambo
- Honorable Mention: Christopher Saxton, Jr from Camden
- Honorable Mention: Eric Trzcinski from Middletown
- Honorable Mention: Natalie Sturgis from Clayton
- Honorable Mention: Audrey Sutton from Wilmington
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