The Mispillion Art League’s 2023 Big Draw Festival — “Drawing With Senses” — was a great success. Poor weather conditions drove the festival inside the art league’s North Walnut Street building, but that didn’t deter an amazing turnout of over 500 attendees and over 75 volunteers. This free, family-friendly art event engaged the participants to explore their senses — touch, sight, sound, taste and smell.
Special thanks to the 12 Milford High School art students and the North Walnut Street businesses and organizations that provided their front windows for painting; Blessings Greenhouses & Compost Facility Inc. for the donation of pumpkins, a big hit with participants; local churches and businesses for lending their support by spreading the word about the event; the models for the fun costumes; Pennsy Supply for the sand (even though the weather canceled the sandcastles); Mayor Archie Campbell; and the city of Milford employees. This level of support is greatly appreciated and was critical for making this event a success.
Thanks, also, to MAL member artists Barbara Buford, Robin Dean, Mike Fleishman, Harry Humes, Barry Koplowitz, Michael McSorely, Ann Lebengood, Isabel Pizzolato, Patti Richardson, Kathy Stetson and Keith Warren — along with our special guest artist from the U.K., Pat Southern-Pearce — who developed activities that resulted in inkblot art, mosaics, painted pumpkins, edible art, blindfold drawings, button art, stamp art, chalk art and more.
MAL greatly appreciates all the effort and dedication of Rosemary Connelly, festival chair, for the league’s participation in Big Draw and making this event a success for the past five years! In 2023, she organized and led various committees and their members: Jane Dean (director, Marketing Committee); Cheryl Beers, Ann Lebengood, Carla Williams, Kevin Williams and Brenda Mollura; Molly King (graphic design); Gervasio Ruiz and Steve Bouchard (event photography); Janet Durkee and Cathy Walls (supplies); and Michele Dale (volunteers and greeters). Special gratitude to Eric Wahl, Kathie Enright, Bob Enright, Kara Okonewski and Angela Taylor (MAL operations managers) and league intern Ellie LoBiondo, who went above and beyond the call of duty to make this event happen!
And finally, a shout-out for all the great press received from the Delaware State News, the Milford Chronicle, the Delaware Coast Press, DelawareScene, Southern Delaware Tourism, Bay to Bay News and the Cape Gazette.
MAL welcomes all members of the community. Our mission is to provide communitywide access to a quality visual arts program. Join the league and support it financially to make an investment in the community.
The Mispillion Art League is a tax-exempt organization, as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. This organization is supported in part by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The division promotes Delaware arts events on delawarescene.com. For information about MAL, contact 302-430-7646 or email mispillionarts@gmail.com.
Cheryl Beers
Media manager liaison, The 2023 Big Draw Festival
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