The tour will be launched on Friday, December 7, as part of Wilmington’s Art on the Town. Visitors are encouraged to join the participating artists for a reception Friday December 7th 6-9 pm at the Buzz Ware Village Center in Arden.
Visitors to Arden undoubtedly notice that no two houses look alike. Maybe that’s why artists are so attracted to it. Since the founding of Arden in 1900 by sculptor Frank Stephens and architect William Price, this unique community has been a haven for visual artists, crafts people, musicians and actors. The three Ardens, consisting of Arden, Ardentown and Ardencroft, are Single Tax as well as Arts & Crafts communities. The Single Tax is an economic theory proposed by Henry George, an American economist and philosopher in the late nineteenth-century. George felt that a land value tax was the most fair and equitable tax and that any income tax was unfair by nature. The Ardens also were founded on the ideals of William Morris, as an Arts and Crafts community. The Arts & Crafts movement was a reaction against the industrial revolution and valued handcrafted goods and the incorporation of individualistic design.
The Arden Craft Shop Museum supports this idea today and hosts Afternoon with the Artist: One Sunday every month, a local artist displays their work.
The Annual Ardens Artists Studio Tour is the only opportunity to meet and see the artists in their studios, where they create their work. 20 plus artists are participating in this year’s tour, although not all are opening their studios. A group show will be mounted at the Buzz Ware Village Center; maps can be picked up at all locations for the self-guided tour. Lots of work will be for sale and you’ll have the opportunity to learn what went into the making of the work. 100% of the artist's sales benefit the artist. Shop locally for unique holiday gifts and support the arts.
In the Water, acrylic and oil on paper, 9 x 12 inches
This is the piece I will have in the art raffle. Each artist has donated a piece of art for a raffle. All proceeds will be used to finance future art events showcasing the talents of the many artists who live, work, and thrive in our villages. Tickets may be purchased at the Buzz Ware Village Center as well as all participating studios throughout the weekend. The prize drawing will be Sunday afternoon, December 9, at 5 p.m. Winners will be contacted by the artists.
“There is a resurgence of the visual arts in Arden as we artists become more aware of each other. The history of Arden as an artist colony is perhaps the reason that our residents and artists alike have been drawn here to live and work. It's as if the town itself and all of its creative activities have bred a mystical place in which to nurture creativity. Just as our own art that we produce could probably be made anywhere, it’s the acceptance and interest of what we do by the community at large and the contacts that we have with our own community of artists which really allows us to more freely be creative in our own private utopia.” said David Burslem.
Burslem grew up in Arden and cites among his influences well known Arden artists: Aurelius Renzetti, Bunni Hurlong and Ash and Mary Burslem.
“When I moved to Arden 19 years ago from Center City Philadelphia I wondered if I would fit in,” I found that my new surroundings influenced a return to nature themed work and I found myself stopping in on friends in their studios regularly something that never happened in the city.
“I love working in the "village" and being surrounded by so many artists and talented people. I walk into my studio and immediately get lost and totally absorbed in designing and making my jewelry.” said Joy Davis. Davis has shared a sun-drenched studio in Ardentown with Dolores Pye Josey since 1993.
“I don’t know if it’s because I feel so at home here or what, the shoots I do in Arden always turn out great.” photographer Joe del Tufo said.
Meet the Artists Reception
Buzz Ware Village Center
2119 The Highway, Arden, DE
Participating artists: Alan Burslem - Ceramics,
David Burslem – Sculptural Paintings
Kim Brainard Celis - Watercolor Paintings,
Linda Celestian – Paintings and Fiber Sculptures
Joy Davis – “Art to Wear” Jewelry
Joe delTufo - Photography
Pamela Dennis – Fiber Arts
Tom Dulin – Oil Paintings
Phil Fisher – Sculpture and Art Collection
Dolores Pye Josey – Ceramics and Paintings
Dick Lebeis – SilverWear Jewelry
Rhys McClure – Paintings and Drawings
Russ McKinney – Copper Embossings
Ashley Messatzzia - Photography
Eleanore Morrow – Paintings and Silk Scarves
Mary Mosaic – Jewelry and Clothing
Erica Orr – Ink and Watercolor
Jeanne Orr - Paintings
Marge Roberts - Paintings
Jen Saemann – Acrylic and Watercolor Paintings
Dotty Verne - Paintings
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