Milton Arts Guild to move to Federal Street location

Milton Arts Guild will move to a new downtown location in August, further cementing its deep roots in the town’s fabric, as well as accommodating its growing membership and expanding its footprint for arts exhibition and education.

The guild’s new home at 107 Federal St., in the heart of downtown Milton,  will include a gallery for its 10 yearly exhibits, plus retail space and ample room for its growing educational programs and workshops.

With this move, MAG leaves 310 Walnut St. in Milton where it has happily resided since 2014.

“This move is the culmination of years of hard work on the part of our artists/members who have joined forces to celebrate the artistic community in Milton and beyond, and we couldn’t be more enthusiastic about our future,” said Sue Dutton, president of MAG’s board of directors. "Although we have been happy in our Walnut Street gallery, our continuing growth and our goals for the coming years led us to our new home that suits our needs now and will accommodate us into the future.”

Milton Arts Guild was founded in 2005 by a group of 10 Milton-based artists. MAG now has about 100 members from many Sussex County communities, as well as members from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Connecticut and Florida. The COVID-19 pandemic and its strict social distancing requirements led the guild to add many new members through its online classes and to think in new ways about the future ... including a new home.

“This past 15 months have been a challenging time, of course, but it has taught us how important community is to us, and how we can share the beautiful spirit of Milton to many faraway people in faraway places while keeping our feet firmly planted in the local community through our programs, our special events and most importantly, our presence in the heart of Milton,” said Dutton.

In an interesting twist of fate, MAG occupied the exact same Federal Street space more than 10 years ago. After the financial downturn of 2007-08, Milton, like countless American communities, saw many of its downtown store fronts empty. Hoping to re-energize Milton center, town officials invited MAG artists to hang their work in 107 Federal St., bringing life to windows and, in many ways, putting Milton Arts Guild on the map. After those two years of downtown exposure, MAG became a 501c3 nonprofit and moved into the 310 Walnut St. gallery.

Over the years, Milton Arts Guild artists have participated in the civic life of the community, including the Women’s Club of Milton Holly Days celebration, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Milton Garden Club’s Garden Tour. In addition, the guild has awarded an art scholarship to a deserving Cape Henlopen High School student since 2015, and has run an annual students’ show to highlight the talent and creativity of Sussex County’s young people. And, each year, during MAG’s Art Walks, artists have been found painting on porches throughout the streets of Milton.

During the pandemic, the guild began its benevolent card project through which MAG artists create and distribute greeting cards – birthday, holiday and all-occasion – to several long-term senior communities and Milton CHEER in hopes of raising the spirits of elders who suffered great isolation. The project continues even after life has begun to return to greater normalcy.

Milton Arts Guild is also collaborating with the Milton Historical Society on its retrospective of the great 1909 fire that destroyed a large swath of downtown Milton. Paintings from MAG artists that re-create scenes from that fateful event will be on display as part the historical society’s exhibit in coming weeks.

“I am delighted that Milton Arts Guild has chosen the Federal Street property – being restored with great care – to showcase the work of its artists and engage our community from a beautiful storefront in historic Milton,” said Beth King, owner of the 107 Federal St. building. “Nonprofit organizations are the heartbeat of any community, and I am proud to play a small role in providing MAG with the opportunity to expand into the future.”

107 Federal St. is one of three storefronts and three apartments severely damaged by an electrical fire Sept. 22, 2020. Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire, and King is restoring the buildings for new tenants, including Milton Arts Guild.

Milton Arts Guild, located in historic downtown Milton, celebrates creativity in all forms of visual arts by engaging the community through an array of educational opportunities, events, exhibits and benevolent programs. Fueled by its volunteer members and supported by a large and diverse community locally and beyond, Milton Arts Guild welcomes everyone to explore the power of art and to inspire them in their own creativity.

For more information, go to miltonartsguild.org.