Delaware Art Museum’s new community art project encourages social distancing

Social distancing in public places is vital to mitigating the impact of COVID-19, even as restrictions are eased in Delaware, and that isn’t going to change until there is a vaccine. To remind Wilmington residents to stay six feet apart, the Delaware Art Museum has launched Creative Spacers, a project that combines social distancing markers with public art.

The museum has commissioned local artists to create five works of art each, which will be converted into vinyl decals that will be installed, through a partnership with Creative Vision Factory, outside of food banks, restaurants and cultural institutions in Wilmington.

“The Creative Spacers project grew out of a conversation with Charlie Vincent, executive director of Spur Impact, concerning ways to support artists and inspire the community at a time when COVID-19 was the focus of the national narrative,” says Jonathan Whitney, the museum’s manager of performance programs and community engagement.

Local visual artist Jo Redbird and Wilmington-based abstract artist JaQuanne LeRoy are the first two artists commissioned for Creative Spacers. Both pointed to spreading positivity during a difficult time as inspiration:

“Knowing my art skills are able to positively impact the circumstances with effective visual communication brings me great joy and fulfillment as an artist,” Redbird said.

“I was happy to contribute to this project,” LeRoy said. “It’s given me a chance to spread hope in this time.”

So far, pilot spacers have been installed at Green Box Kitchen on Market Street, West End Neighborhood House and the Latin American Community Center.

Spacer decals will also be installed throughout the Delaware Art Museum, which reopens to the public on July 1.