Ward Ellinger Gallery closing doors in Rehoboth

After seven years, Ward Ellinger Gallery announced Ward Ellinger's retirement from the retail gallery business and closed it’s doors to the public Nov. 8.

Located behind CAMP Rehoboth and next to Lori’s Oy Vey Cafe in the quaint little courtyard on Baltimore Avenue, Ellinger and partner Allen Jarmon offered a variety of contemporary works and exhibitions over the years.

“The gallery had reached a good point,” Jarmon says, explaining the decision to close. “We’ve had good years and we’ve developed a following. We wanted to go out on a high note.”

The timing allows Ellinger to move forward with his passion, painting - and running the gallery didn’t allow enough time in his studio. “It’s a full time job maintaining and running a gallery, and while we’ve very much enjoyed the years we’ve had the gallery and we will miss the daily interaction with customers, I’m looking very forward to this next chapter and getting back to painting full time and being represented at Gallery 50,” says Ellinger.

With the closure, Rehoboth Beach loses one of its art venues, but certainly not the work of Ellinger or the gallery’s other best-selling and award-winning artist, Sondra N. Arkin. Both are joining Gallery 50 Contemporary Art on Wilmington Avenue - next door to Henlopen City Oyster House.

"Both Sondra and I are thrilled to be a part of Gallery 50,” says Ellinger. He knows closing his gallery might be seen as a sad day, “but it’s not,” he says. "Not maintaining a brick-and-mortar space will allow me a lot of freedom to pursue my art,and I couldn’t ask for better representation in Rehoboth than Gallery 50 [and sister-gallery, Philip Morton Gallery on Baltimore Avenue]. I’ll be able to entertain and explore whatever comes my way,” he says.

Ed McGann, manager and master-framer at Gallery 50 Contemporary Art stated, “We have some terrific artists, and I’ve worked closely with Ward and Sondra for years. We couldn’t be more excited to have them as part of the family. We’re kicking off the celebration with a fantastic joint-exhibit and party for both of them this Saturday and hope everyone will join!"

Now represented by Gallery 50 Contemporary Art full-time, Ellinger and Arkin’s exhibit runs Saturday, Nov. 14 through Monday, Nov. 30, with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at the gallery 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 14. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Gallery 50 is located at 50 Wilmington Ave. For more information and a preview of the collection,go to their FACEBOOK page, call 302-227-2050 or email info@gallery50art.com.