DCAD and downtown partners will rock the block with April 19 ArtParty

DCAD@20 ArtParty attendees will be able to create it, view it, critique it, buy it and pose with it. “It” is art, and it’ll be the main attraction for the Delaware College of Art and Design fundraiser that will fill more than a block of Market Street with festivity on April 19.

Also invited to the party, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and continues through 8:30 p.m., are tunes, brews and foods provided by vendors from throughout Downtown Wilmington and beyond. Party-goers will enjoy seeing the 150-piece “DCAD@20 ArtParty Exhibition” and buying their favorite paintings, drawings and sculpture. They also can help create a large community mural, add to an interactive sculpture and take selfies with famous artworks recreated by students on DCAD windows.

Approximately 90 percent of DCAD students receive scholarship assistance, and the ArtParty is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the College. Support monies for scholarships and general operating expenses will be generated by ticket sales and sales of the art making up the “DCAD@20 ArtParty Exhibition,” which opens with a reception in conjunction with Art Loop Wilmington from 5 to 8 p.m. April 6. Pieces for the show and sale were contributed by DCAD students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends along with prominent local artists such as Monique Rollins and Mary Page Evans or donated by DuPont through United Way of Delaware.

“In March 2017, DuPont made a donation of artwork to the United Way of Delaware for public sale to benefit the work of United Way in the state,” explained Sandra K. James of DuPont, who is a DCAD trustee. “It’s wonderful that DCAD will give additional exposure to artwork that was part of that donation through the DCAD@20 ArtParty.”

Tickets for the DCAD@20 ArtParty cost $50 per person. However, DCAD and neighboring Delaware Historical Society are partnering to offer a $100-per-person ticket for those interested in attending both the ArtParty and the Delaware History Makers Award Celebration, which is happening on the same block on the same night. This Rock the Block ticket allows buyers to begin their evening at DCAD from 5:30 p.m. and continue their night out with DHS after 8 p.m.

“We are delighted to join with our neighbor on Market Street to offer a ticket that allows guests the opportunity to attend both the Delaware History Makers Award Celebration honoring Sam and Mariah Calagione and the DCAD@20 ArtParty on April 19,” said Dave Fleming, Interim CEO of the Delaware Historical Society. “This is a wonderful opportunity to show off our venues and let everyone know that there is a lot to do on Market Street.”

DCAD development director Renée T. Garnick agreed and said DCAD is thrilled to partner with the Delaware Historical Society and other First State institutions on the evening. The Calagione’s Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is among the vendors contributing to the ArtParty.

“Working with the community to present the DCAD@20 ArtParty has been so much fun,” Garnick said. “We are really excited that Gable Music Ventures – which is co-owned by DCAD alumnus Jeremy Hebbel – is providing entertainment and that we are featuring microbrews from Dogfish Head and Twin Lakes; food from Caffé Gelato, La Fia, DE.CO establishments and other eateries; and, of course, so much locally created art.”

Presenting sponsor for the DCAD@20 ArtParty is M&T Bank.