2023 is beginning to wane and a new year is just about to begin.  MAL is grateful for our membership, volunteers, and Board for making 2023 a success.  Our membership has grown, attendance to our gallery and gift shop is up, and we are adding new classes to our roster as I write this.  Our Annual Report was presented in September and is available on our website (or click the link.)  Our Pottery studio is flourishing and gaining popularity.  We’ve also added 2 instructors.  Our vision for the pottery studio is expanding and we are hoping to acquire additional wheels as well as space in the annex.  Hint Hint – any donations would be greatly appreciated for the pottery department, or for any reason actually.

Our next show is the 21st Annual Judged Exhibit and it runs January 16th through March 23rd.  We look forward to the New Year and the new exhibits that are being offered. As mentioned earlier, attendance to the gallery is up this year and we anticipate that to continue in 2024.

2024 marks MAL’s 20th year!  We are in the planning stages to hold an event in September to mark this occasion.  We hope to see you there and help MAL to continue to grow and spread our mission to the community.

Thanks again to our members and volunteers.

It feels like just yesterday that MAL started a transitional phase to update our technology; hopefully, creating a more enjoyable experience while interacting with the Mispillion Art League and our classes.  As mentioned in previous posts and emails, our membership application is now available online and your renewals and any new members are encouraged to submit in that format.  However, we still accept membership applications and payments in-person at the Gallery.  One of the reasons for the online function is to help alleviate some administrative duties with our membership rolls.  We think this will have a positive impact in our time management.   To renew or become a member, please click here:

Renew or Become a Member

You may have noticed that our TV has been moved at the Gallery.  It is now in the Education Annex.  This will provide our instructors with another tool for teaching their classes.  Much thanks goes to our Operations Manager, Kara, and her husband for making this move.  I would also like to introduce you all to our new staff member, Angela.  Angela has been a past member and has returned to MAL to assist our Operations.  We are excited to have her.  So please stop in and give her a warm welcome back to MAL.

In addition, please take a look at our website from time to time, as classes continue to be added to the calendar.  We shall update the website and make changes as necessary to provide you with the best experience as possible.  Additional pages are coming in the future that will highlight some of our artists as well as the history of MAL as we approach our 20th anniversary.

Our donation page has also been updated.  Please consider making a donation in the future to help MAL continue to spread our mission of providing community-wide access to quality, visual art programs to Milford and beyond.

Donate!

Thank you for being members of the Mispillion Art League and supporting our mission.  Things are happening!  Our Annual 6×6 Silent Auction has started and the entries are just as stunning and incredible as last year. Be sure to stop in, grab your number, and start bidding.  The auction will end with an in-person event on Friday, May 5.  Bidding stops at 7:00 pm.

Our next class catalog that covers May through August is now online and can be downloaded at the bottom of our home page.  Classes will be uploaded to the website in short order.  May classes are currently online, so be sure to check out the Classes page.

In addition, our membership form is online.  In the past, MAL membership would be renewed at the end of June and beginning of July.  However, with our recent changes to our website and operations, we can now track and take new members at any time of year and the anniversary date of your membership will be when you submit your membership form.  So to all our members, please renew online at your convenience.

Thanks to all that make this organization a continued success and a place for artists to call home.

And remember, Art is Everywhere.

Gen Z Impressions is a new, dynamic art program for teens age 13 to 17. Students will be
experimenting with various mediums, techniques, and textures. We provide a supportive, encouraging
atmosphere for students to create, discover, connect, and belong. Come out and have some fun!

May Wednesdays, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Register by April 28
June Wednesdays, 7, 14, 21, 28 • Register by May 30

Gen Z Impressions is a new, dynamic art program for teens age 13 to 17. Students will be
experimenting with various mediums, techniques, and textures. We provide a supportive, encouraging
atmosphere for students to create, discover, connect, and belong. Come out and have some fun!

February Wednesdays, 1, 8, 15, 22 • Register by January 26
March Wednesdays, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Register by February 23
April Wednesdays, 5, 12, 19, 26 • Register by March 28
May Wednesdays, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Register by April 28
June Wednesdays, 7, 14, 21, 28 • Register by May 30

Gen Z Impressions is a new, dynamic art program for teens age 13 to 17. Students will be
experimenting with various mediums, techniques, and textures. We provide a supportive, encouraging
atmosphere for students to create, discover, connect, and belong. Come out and have some fun!

February Wednesdays, 1, 8, 15, 22 • Register by January 26
March Wednesdays, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Register by February 23
April Wednesdays, 5, 12, 19, 26 • Register by March 28
May Wednesdays, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Register by April 28
June Wednesdays, 7, 14, 21, 28 • Register by May 30

I can’t believe Spring is knocking at our door.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday that our 20th Judged and Juried Show just started.  Our next show, Spring Inspiration, is days away, so be sure to stop in the Art League and check out the great talent our community has to offer.

Speaking of our community, I want to take a few moments to talk about our Outreach Programs that are so important to our citizens of Milford. They are paramount in fulfilling our mission of providing community-wide access to quality visual arts programs.  We have five (5) outreach initiatives that the Mispillion Art League currently provides. Once per month, MAL holds a class for KSI (Kent and Sussex Industries) where we create art with a rotating group of individuals.  Also once per month, MAL hosts the Creative Hearts class which is a group of artists from the Salvation Army in Millsboro with developmental disabilities. In addition, MAL hosts a group of veterans from the Home of the Brave, aiding in the healing process through art.

A popular class that has grown since its inception is the ESL Art Class held at the Milford Academy. This occurs 7 times throughout the school year and twice during the summer.  This program has increased so much, that up to 75 students have been served during the school year and about 2 dozen during the summer.  And lastly, our Senior Workshops held at MAL that are offered once every other month and includes 2 sessions per workshop – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon with different instructors and art mediums.

As mentioned previously, this is how we meet the goal of our mission: bringing the healing power of art and creativity to everyone in our community.  These programs and classes are only possible through the generous donations from our sponsors, donors, and supporters like you.  Being a part of the landscape and nature-loving portion of the community, I am reminded of a saying by the Lorax – “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

So from the bottom of my tree-hugging heart, thank you for all your support and donations to the Mispillion Art League.  And please consider continuing that support so that we can continue providing these amazing opportunities for everyone in our little piece of Delaware.

Be Inspired.

Eric W. Wahl, President

We are taking part again this year in the Delaware DoMore24 campaign that uplifts and benefits local non-profits like MAL.  We encourage all of you to help us meet our goal of $10,000.  With your help, we can make those donations go even further.  The Mispillion Art League depends on you, our supporters and donors, to continue to provide community-wide access to quality visual arts programs, like our diverse selection of classes, recurring exhibits, and outreach programs.  Please consider making a donation between 6:00 p.m. March 2 through 6:00 p.m. March 3. Simply click on  the link below.  Thank you.

Mispillion Art League | Do More 24 Delaware 2023

Hello Artists!  Welcome back to a brand new look for the Mispillion Art League and to our new website.  As we navigate this new endeavor together, please excuse our glitches and hiccups as we tell our story.  The website is operational and classes have been added along with other information that should be familiar to you, as well as some new items that we are continually trying to improve.  Please bear with us, and if you have any questions or concerns, or need to confirm class times and dates, please do not hesitate to contact the League.

As president, I will be updating this blog and newsletter with upcoming events, fundraising campaigns, new classes in the pipeline, and also sharing our history of the Mispillion Art League  – our 20th anniversary is approaching and I truly believe that Milford would feel like a very different place without MAL’s outreach, community involvement, and of course our artists.

Thank you again for your patience and especially, your continued support.

Eric W. Wahl, President