Developing Artist Collaboration sheds light on impact
Looking to introduce itself to the community and grow its supporter base, the Developing Artist Collaboration recently hosted Illuminating DAC: Come Curious, Leave Inspired.
Taking place May 5 at DAC’s West Side Creative Market space, the event featured collaboration staff and gave artists the chance to tell their stories about how the nonprofit organization helped them along their artistic journey.
There are a lot of people in the community who aren’t familiar with what DAC offers, beyond hosting the market during the summer, said Leah Beach, DAC founder. This is an opportunity to build new relationships, she said.
Phoebe Canakis and Lisa Westbrook have both completed DAC’s EMERGE program, a professional development pathway for emerging artists that offers structured mentorship, networking, career-building opportunities, and hands-on experience. They said the program gave them the direction and confidence to move forward – Canakis with her art program geared toward keeping seniors creative and Westbrook with her own art.
Westbrook encouraged anyone who’s considered dipping their toe into art to give the program a try.
“We’ve all got something to offer,” she said.
Under the original name of Dewey Artist Collaboration, DAC’s first event was the inaugural Sip & Shop in 2015. A few years later, there was a name change when the group found a permanent location in West Rehoboth and expanded its services.
“When this was first started, I thought I would open a really cool gallery, but that’s not what the artists needed or wanted,” said Beach, looking around. “They wanted a place to incubate and educate, and to have an entry-level showroom opportunity. This is so great.”
DAC’s West Side Creative Market will kick off a new season Memorial Day Monday, May 26, and continue through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 1. The market hours are 5 to 9 p.m., Monday and Friday.
New this year for the market is Soundbite Sundays, which will feature local culinary vendors and be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beach said DAC has now also opened the market space to private events. The bar in the middle of the market was removed to accommodate crowds, and the space is ADA compliant, she said.
For more information on the Developing Artist Collaboration, 37401 Malloy St., go to developingarts.org, email hello@developingarts.org or call 302-604-2351.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
