Division of the Arts announces award-winning artists in its annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition reception & award ceremony

Dover, Del. (March 18, 2019) – The talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their artwork exhibited at the eight annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition sponsored by the National Arts Program® reception and award ceremony held on Sunday, March 17. Featured guests and speakers included the First Lady, Tracey Quillen Carney and Delaware Division of the Arts Deputy Director, Kristin Pleasanton.

Twenty-eight awards were given out in five categories–Professional, Intermediate, Amateur, Teen (13-18 years old), and Youth (12 years and under). Other distinguished awards included the: Best of Show Award, Two People’s Choice Awards (calculated by most number of “likes” on Facebook and entries by email and in-person ballot votes at the Gallery), Art Education Award (up to $200 reimbursement for arts instruction and materials), and four Special Award categories. 2019 Artwork is available on Facebook and reception and award ceremony photos will be available on Flickr at the end of the week.

Below is a list of all award winners who were recognized at the 2019 reception and awards ceremony.

Best of Show: Stephanie Silverman, Wilmington People’s Choice Award (Facebook): Parker Ellis, age 6, Newark People’s Choice Award (Ballot): Madison Barbuto, age 9, Camden Art Education Award: Brandi Nichols, age 18, Magnolia

Stephanie Silverman, “Submerged,” Works on Paper, Wilmington

Special Awards

Special Award, Animals: Jocelyn Zonick, age 17, Newark Special Award, Abstract: Michael Fleishman, Milford Special Award, Landscape: Anthony Burton, Camden Special Award, Monochromatic: Justyn Foth, Viola

Professional

1st Place: Robert Palandrani, Wilmington 2nd Place: Chad Cortez Everett, Landenberg, PA 3rd Place: David Huynh, Odessa

Honorable Mentions: Suzanne Oliver, Wilmington Shelley Koon, Dover Daniel Faison, Newark

Intermediate

1st Place: Owen Napier, Wilmington 2nd Place: Bruce Wyngaard, Wilmington 3rd Place: Jacqueline Carmean, Milford

Honorable Mentions: Brian VanDrunen, Harbeson Rick Burrow, Camden Wyoming

Amateur

1st Place: Dominick Giroso, Felton 2nd Place: Nicole Brown, Felton 3rd Place: Kathy Joseph, Woodside

Honorable Mentions: Briana Rodriguez, Townsend Jake Mottola, Wilmington

Teen (13-18 years old)

1st Place: Emily Torres, age 17, Middletown 2nd Place: Sara Paulish, age 16, Dover 3rd Place: Cathryn Shahan, age 18, Clayton

Honorable Mentions: Emily Egloff, age 14, Middletown Allyson Johnson, age 13, Ocean View Jahsiah Sealy, age 14, Bear

Youth (12 years and under)

1st Place: Caleb Fenton, age 10, Middletown 2nd Place: Elizabeth Dierkes, age 9, Clayton 3rd Place: Mia Ericksen, age 10, Smyrna

Honorable Mentions: Liliana Gatti, age 7, Wyoming Lillette Hastings, age 11, Millsboro Maggie Wieber, age 8, Marydel

Sponsored by the National Arts Program in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.

Participants must be a current employee or immediate family member of a current employee of the State of Delaware. All entries must be the original work of the applicant and completed within the last three years. View last year’s participant artwork.

More information

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing 302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov