Art Trails

MILFORD - RIVER TOWN, ART TOWN, HOMETOWN

Article and photos by Anne Jenkins

Anne Jenkins Studio

What makes a town rank as a Top 100 Art Towns of America - places like Carmel, CA, Sante Fe, NM or Berea, KY? And, what makes an exciting art town? The top 100 are established and fairly pricey, but does this does mean they're all absolutely fabulous? I've been to most of them and some are overrated, too chi-chi or pleased with themselves and others are really and truly glorious. Some aren't small towns but small cities.

The Victorian Tearoom

I think there are four main things needed to make a town an art destination - the first two are obvious, a reasonably sized group of interesting artists in an attractive small rural town situated with easy access to major urban areas. Next up is the mix of the arts, there should be visual, performance and culinary arts on tap. And, last but most important, the spirit and will to make it happen.

And I think the pretty little town of Milford, in the small state of Delaware, fits the bill. I also happen to be lucky enough to live here. We have an exciting, supportive and growing group of visual artists - 3 galleries (with more on the horizon), 7 working studios, live theater, a music school, two dance schools, good restaurants, upscale cafes, a farmer's market and a couple of charming Bed & Breakfasts.

Riverfront Theater

The town has justifiably branded itself as River Town, Art Town, Home Town . It's history reaches way back to the days when ship building, an art in itself, was the major industry on the Mispillion River operating 5 ship yards. There is just one surviving yard now and they have restored a couple of the elegant boats built there. The river meanders through town and the town has acknowledged the integral part it plays by building an attractive river walk along it's banks.

The Farmer's Market is held every Saturday in summer from May through October in the park by the Riverwalk and a few local artists have booths. During June to August, the Downtown Milford, Inc., the Main Street organization, holds alternate live music and movies Wednesday nights in the open air amphitheater in the Riverwalk park by the library. The grand new library features a beautiful mural it saved from destruction some years ago.

One of the murals depicting the ship building industry

Just around the corner from the library is a magnificent series of block long murals, done by volunteer members of the Mispillion Art League, depicting historic scenes of days gone by. It has taken them four years to complete this ambitious project and it is an asset to the town.

The historic downtown is undergoing revitalization with enthusiasm, and an upward tick of success. They also face all the usual problems of empty store fronts and buildings, but are tackling it head on.

Watercolor of Dolce Bakery by Cathy Walls

The delightful Riverfront Theater has been renovated, it seats approximately 200 and they stage live theater regularly. Next door is the acclaimed School of Music of Delaware. They not only teach music but also give about 75 performances per year. And the town also boasts the excellent and lively Milford Community Band. They perform a variety of music from swing to German Oompah to classic jazz concerts every month in different locals.

There are two delightful and very different cafes - Dolce Bakery and The Victorian Lady Tea Room.

Scott Angelucci works on a large commission piece

The town boasts a number of restaurants serving cuisines ranging from Modern American, Central American, diner fare to Chinese. There is outdoor seating in summer and one hosts highly popular weekly gourmet events. The Tavern is an atmospheric bar popular with locals and visitors alike.

Everything downtown is within a 10 minute walk, tops. Most of the art galleries and studios are clustered together. Each gallery is unique and offers a variety of different art mediums.

Gail Angelucci works on a stained glass piece

The Angelucci Gallery features the beautiful wood work by well-known wood artist, Scott Angelucci, and the dramatic stained glass art of Gail Angelucci. Plus they display art by various local and visiting artists, hosting a number of different shows. His studio is in the building just beside the gallery.

The Mispillion Art League has a lovely light, airy showroom and a practical workshop space. They host a number of different shows throughout the year and offer a variety of workshops for children and adults alike.

Joan Frense-Mulholland The Pearl Lady

In the same building on the floor above are a number of operating studios - think "Torpedo Factory" style. Elegant Joan Frense-Mulholland, widely known as The Pearl Lady, showcases her refined fresh water pearl jewelry in the studio overlooking the main street. Just a couple of studios along is Rosemary & Bob Connelly's watercolor and fine art photography studio, happily called Live Cheap & Make Art Studio. Among the other working studios are painter Betsy Rybczynki, Beth Gilbert's Whimsicality Jewelry and painter Marie Schmelzingery.

Just a block away, close to the main center of town and within a couple of minutes walk from the other galleries is Anne Jenkins Art Gallery featuring the work of the self-taught, internationally collected artist. She paints large canvases impasto style, which is using a palette knife and lots of texture.

The Towers Bed and Breakfast

Two historic homes downtown have been restored and now operate as Bed & Breakfasts. The Towers is a perfect "Rapunzel house" painted bright pink and features 4 rooms tastefully decorated and run by gracious hosts, Dan and Rhonda Bond. At the opposite side of town, The Causey Mansion, owned and run by the Connelly family, dominates the high ground next to the City Hall. Both are within easy walking distance of all the town has to offer.

Third Thursday event in workshop room at Mispillion Art League Gallery

All these artists are banding together and starting the Milford Art Ramble and building up a website. You can find out what exciting events are happening here and they will hold special weekend events over time.

Come and visit Milford, Delaware - the up and coming art town! It is full of mighty fine art at very affordable local prices. Join the fun and excitement - you can be assured of a warm welcome. You just might not want to leave.

BUSINESS INFORMATION :

http://downtownmilford.org

http://artramble.com

http://www.angeluccifinewood-stainedglass.blogspot.com

http://annejenkinsart.com

http://the-pearl-lady-studio.com

http://livecheapmakeart.com

http://dolcebakery.com

http://victorialadytea.net

http://www.milfordcommunityband.org

http://mispillion.com

http://www.causeymansion.com

http://musicschoolofdelaware.org

http://www.secondstreetplayers.com

http://abbottsgrillde.com

http://www.eatgh.com/index.php

http://www.dancefsad.com

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