By Craig Anderson

SMYRNA — Starting June 21, Dave Chambers will see 18 of his paintings hanging inside Painted Stave Distilling.

“This is my first show,” said Mr. Chambers, who was born and raised in Smyrna, where he still resides.

“It was something I dreamed of but never thought that it would happen.”

The abstract expressionist painter calls the exhibition “Paintings From Memory” and his works will be for sale.

Mr. Chambers, 56, described the experience as “coming full circle” since he used to watch movies as a kid in the former theater where Painted State Distilling now sits at 106 W. Commerce St.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said.

“It’s my hometown and it’s in the (former) Smyrna Theatre where I saw my first movie. Who would have ever thought that the place where I saw my first movie as a 5-year-old would be a whiskey distillery and there would be 18 of my paintings inside it.”

Mr. Chambers, a former award-winning Daily State News photojournalist now working as a marketing specialist at the Delaware Public Archives, said visitors will see his top creations.

“First and foremost, my No. 1 rule as a photojournalist is when you display your work, you only show your best,” he said. “It’s the same with this. It’s the best so for that hasn’t sold.”

Mr. Chambers has created about 120 paintings and 40 or so have sold. He said he plans to keep prices low to sell his works.

The Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation will receive 20% of the proceeds.

Mr. Chambers said he draws satisfaction from painting because “It’s a way to express yourself.

“Ever since I’ve been a kid, I had to create stuff. When I was (at the University of Delaware) at first I wanted to be an illustrator but found out I was not good at it.

“So then I went to painting and I found you can do anything. You don’t have to paint a lifelike thing. “

When it comes to ideas of what to paint, “The common themes seem to be the weather, the beach and myself, and it’s not on purpose. That’s just how it comes out, especially summer.”

The opportunity to show his creations came after Painted Stave Distilling owner Mike Rasmussen noticed the art on Facebook, Mr. Chambers said.

“Thank God for Facebook,” Mr. Chambers said.

“He saw my stuff there and reached out and I’m very grateful, beholden, indebted, thankful, gratified and obliged to him (and owner Ron Gomes) for the chance to do this.”

The paintings will hang inside Painted Stave Distilling through Sept, 20. An opening reception is set for June 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The distillery is open Thursdays and Fridays 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays 2-9 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m.

For information, visit DavidWadeChambers.com or PaintedStave.com.