Artists and art galleries are flourishing at the Delaware beaches, offering more than just their creations for sale. Visitors and locals alike now have ample opportunities to cultivate their own artistic talents under the guidance of skilled professionals.
Consider Pottery Mason, owner Audrey Mason’s burgeoning ceramics business in Rehoboth. She fell in love with the art in 2017 after using a Groupon during a date night. Mason continued to hone her craft and eventually began selling pottery from home. With dedication and perseverance, she transformed her hobby into a full-time career, recently securing studio space in downtown Rehoboth. Mason aims to introduce others to the joys of pottery through wheel-throwing workshops reminiscent of her own beginnings in the craft.
Pottery offers a chance to disconnect from the digital world and fully immerse in the tactile experience, she explains. “When I sit on the pottery wheel, everything else falls away. It’s just a moment where I can really be connected and zone in.”
For her, working with clay evokes a sense of nostalgia and simplicity, akin to the carefree days of youth. “It’s almost like going back to childhood a little bit, because I don’t know who didn’t like getting dirty when they were a kid,” she says.
As of press time, Mason was still finalizing workshop details; her goal is to be up and running this summer. For more information, visit potterymason.com.
Here are additional opportunities to sharpen your art skills during your beach visit, ranging from one-time outings to more comprehensive training programs.
Something for everyone
The Rehoboth Art League brings together artists from throughout the region, offering one of the most comprehensive selections of art lessons you’ll find in the area.
Classes include watercolor, photography, ceramics, painting, drawing, yarn work and more. Prices vary, depending on subject matter and materials. The organization also hosts week-long summer camps for kids.
Availability is limited; register in advance at rehobothartleague.org.
Glass creations
At Back Bay Art Glass in Millsboro, Nancy Robinson creates stained glass, etched glass, jewelry and more. If you’d like to try your hand at stained glass, fused glass or mosaics, she’ll walk you through the process in an all-day, one-on-one lesson.
Lessons are available almost year-round, except in December when Robinson is busy with Christmas–related work. These sessions ($75 each) are recommended for adults and run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 645-1825 to register. For more information, visit backbayartglass.com.
Pour your heart out
Learn the art of the acrylic pour at the Artpothecary space in Out of the Box on Malloy Street in Rehoboth Beach.
The organization is not your typical paint night or stencil-on-wood DIY space. Artist-led groups create colorful pieces by pouring an acrylic paint mix into various molds. The process is easy, Out of the Box says, and appropriate for all skill levels.
It’s also kid-friendly, and the studio does not charge extra for special occasions like parties—feel free to bring food or decorations.
The cost per person is $50. For an additional $5, artwork can be shipped afterward. All proceeds support the nonprofit organization Developing Artist Collaboration. For more information, visit outoftheboxdiy.com.
Private painting
Based in Milton, Judy Rioux creates work featuring a mix of still life and portraits, often in a beach setting. She offers a variety of options for would-be artists to hone their skills. Rioux will travel to your venue to lead a group painting session ($35 per person includes materials).
She also offers smaller classes for two to six people in her studio in weekly sessions over the course of a month. The cost of this course is $200, and people can work on a subject of their choice in oil or acrylic paint. Those seeking a more thorough apprenticeship can pay $75 per hour or $500 for four two-hour sessions. For more information, visit judyrioux.com.
Drawing interest
Artist Kathy Dennin–Meagher has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and teaches a range of painting, printing and drawing classes. Her workshop—Raye of Light Studio—is aptly named after the “lightbulb moment” of a creative spark.
Dennin-Meagher releases her class schedule one month ahead, which she says gives everyone a fair chance of getting a seat in her small groups of eight students or less. She recommends signing up for her newsletter for up-to-date class information. Prices vary: Adults start at $40, children at $25 (materials included). Preschool “parent and me” classes are $15. For more information, visit rayeoflightstudio.com.
