DCAD celebrates 20 years of change in Wilmington

DCAD@20 — the Delaware College of Art and Design’s 20th anniversary party — celebrated 20 years of graduates, artwork and expansion on April 19, but for downtown Wilmington, it also marks a span of time marked by revitalization.

DCAD has had more than a little to do with that.

Check out this show of pieces from the DuPont Company and DCAD students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends that will be up for auction during the DCAD@20 ArtParty fundraiser on April 19! The opening reception is 5 to 8 p.m. and includes a free gouache workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Gj0VkjcX6D

— Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) (@dcadedu) March 22, 2018

Just the addition of art students living — and, in some cases, staying — in downtown Wilmington has changed the energy, and, unsurprisingly, has given a big boost to the creative culture of the city. It’s hard to imagine The Queen renovation without DCAD, or Shipley Lofts, or Wilmington Green Box, or the Ladybug Festival.

When I’ve interviewed DCAD students, they’ve talked about Wilmington as the start their art-school career. And, even though many grads of the two-year college transfer to its partner school, the Pratt Institute in NYC, one of DCAD’s draws is that it isn’t New York (which goes to show that the “small pond” appeal of Delaware doesn’t only apply to businesses).

Many thanks to Donna Cusano of Jerry’s Artarama @JerrysArtarama for helping make Friday’s opening of the “DCAD@20 ArtParty Exhibition” such a success with her gouache workshop! Donna is shown here working with DCAD@20 ArtParty Committee member Dr. Kate Weymouth @kateweymouth. pic.twitter.com/27UdNMx6zy

— Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) (@dcadedu) April 12, 2018

DCAD@20 drew a healthy-sized crowd to the Market Street campus, where patrons could purchase artwork on display at the Toni & Stuart B. Young Gallery and sample food and brews from nearby Market Street eateries like Stitch House Brewery, Ernest & Scott Taproom and Chelsea Tavern.

The guys from DE.CO we there, too, with samples from their Baltimore food hall, but no announcement yet on who the Wilmington chefs will be. Chef applications are still being accepted (see the DE.CO website for info).

https://www.facebook.com/decowilmington/posts/1938045759842365

Check out more photos from the event below:

DCAD@20 mural painting. (Photo by Holly Quinn)

Stan Smolker art. (Photo by Holly Quinn)

William Spiker fish sculpture. (Photo by Holly Quinn)

William Spiker art DCAD. (Photo by Holly Quinn)

DCAD@20 food. (Photo by Holly Quinn)