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 riverfront—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.”
Join us for First Fridays at The Contemporary! The opening reception of our fall exhibition is Friday, Sept 5 from 5-9 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.
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
WILMINGTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Wilmington International Film Festival brings filmmakers, film enthusiasts, non-profits, and businesses together for a celebration of film, food and live music. We invite you to join us in October!
Tickets coming soon.
Friday, October 10
Saturday, October 11
Join Our Mailing List
Receive information about opportunities, events, and programs straight to your
inbox!
BECOME A MEMBER
Help us sustain programming, support artists, and share art and creativity with all in our community by becoming a member of The Delaware Contemporary.
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)
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
Bob Straight, S-217 1988
EMERITI
DOVER (DRAPER) GALLERY
Through the decades, we’ve been supported by artists who’ve become titans in the Delaware art scene. In Emeriti, we pay tribute to some great artists who dedicated their lives to their craft, fulfilling and exceeding their terms of service to Delaware’s artistic community, and we are honored to recognize these artists today.
