Rehoboth Art League to host opening receptions Sept. 26

The Rehoboth Art League will host an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, for its new exhibitions showcasing various mediums, subjects and techniques in the Corkran, Tubbs, Ventures and Homestead galleries at 12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres.

RAL’s new shows are Beyond the Frame: Animation by Aaron Augenblick, Wine Routes: Work by David Hollande, and By-Chance: Works by Scott Kirschner, and Floral Interpretations: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paintings.

The art of animation is the focus of the Augenblick exhibition in the Corkran gallery. This showcase offers a rare glimpse into the artistry behind animation through a collection of hand-selected stills and original illustrations from hundreds of projects spanning Augenblick’s 26-year career. As the founder of Augenblick Studios in Brooklyn, N.Y., he has created an eclectic body of work that spans primetime series, acclaimed shorts and celebrated projects for both adults and children. Each piece in this show reflects a persistent creative vision — rooted in hand-drawn traditions, infused with underground comic influences, and driven by a singular sense of humor and design. The gallery will also display a curated video reel showcasing highlights from his animated films and series, inviting viewers into the offbeat, vibrant worlds that have defined Aaron’s career.

Augenblick will host a gallery talk at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27. He will discuss his creative process and the development of his career in the animation industry. The talk is free and open to everyone.

Vinyard-scapes will populate the Tubbs Gallery during Hollander’s solo exhibition. Wine Routes presents viewers with uniquely personal remembrances of Hollander’s extensive travels through the great wine regions of the Old World and New World. As an artist, Hollander is drawn to the dialogue between the formal aspects of a painting and the emotional responses elicited in the viewer. While a painting may have its genesis in a specific time and place, the real subject is the memory of the initial sensation of the encounter. Capturing the play of sunlight across a row of vines or a field of lavender is no more important than the sense of wonder felt when looking down from, or up at, a hot air balloon over Napa Valley.

Kirschner’s surreal inner wasteland is the subject of his exhibition By-Chance, which will be on display in the Ventures Gallery. Kirschner gathers a series of individual words that relate to his muddled and chaotic psyche and randomly selects a grouping of three of those words to be the inspiration for each painting. The result of this is a series of surreal, otherworldly oil works. This process helps Kirschner explore the depths of his mind and tell stories that only occurred to him with the help of his subconscious and fate. Each image is accompanied by its three-word phrase, giving viewers context for what is depicted on the canvas in front of them.

The Homestead will be beautified by the arrival of fresh bouquets featured in Floral Interpretations: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paintings. This exhibit showcases paintings from the league’s permanent collection paired with a floral arrangement inspired by the painting.

Participating designers include Robert Kovalcik, Ken Norman, Diane Pirkey, Emily Widdose and Žaneta Zubkova.

Kovalcik, the former designer and owner of South Pacific Florist, has created extraordinary arrangements for private homes, weddings, events and many fine restaurants and hotels in Rehoboth Beach.

Norman is a renowned third-generation floral designer and owner of Floral Inspirations in Lewes. He currently holds a seat on the American Institute of Floral Designers’ National Board.

Pirkey has worked in floral design for over 25 years, working for a variety of institutions such as the Hillwood Museum and Gardens, the National Gallery of Art and the Flower Guild at the National Cathedral.

Widdoes is a wedding floral designer for the Clubhouse at Baywood where she focuses on creating fresh and innovative event tablescapes and installations.

With a background in art education and ever inspired by the fine arts, Zubkova blends color theory, design concepts and native botanicals to create stunning bouquets for I do.Flowers,etc. boutique in Wilmington.

The exhibitions are free and open to everyone during the regular gallery hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday.

For more information, go to rehobothartleague.org.