Celebrating 25 years of Honoring Delaware Individual Artists with the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Historic Odessa Foundation proudly presents Award Winners XXV, a milestone exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of showcasing the Delaware Division of the Arts' Individual Artist Fellowship recipients. The museum is honored to become one of only three venues to host this wonderful art exhibition. The exhibition opens Friday, September 19th and runs through Sunday, October 26, 2025 in the HOF Visitor Center, featuring the exceptional talent of artists selected for their outstanding creativity and skill in their artistic disciplines.
Each year, the DDOA awards fellowships through a competitive process open to Delaware artists across disciplines including choreography, composition, literature, and visual and folk arts. In 2025, the Division received work samples from 191 Delaware choreographers; composers; musicians; writers; and folk, media, and visual artists. The work samples were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals who considered the demonstrated creativity and skill in each artist’s respective art form. Twenty-one artists were awarded fellowships in the following categories – one, Masters; eleven, Established; nine, Emerging; and thirteen runners-up.
These fellows reside throughout Delaware including Bear, Clayton, Dagsboro, Lewes, Milton, Newark, New Castle, Rehoboth Beach, Smyrna, and Wilmington. Their work—spanning painting, sculpture, fiction, poetry, choreography, and more—reflects the diversity, depth, and dynamism of Delaware’s creative community.
After its inaugural exhibition at the Historic Odessa Foundation and following its premiere over the summer at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Award Winners XXV will travel to the Rehoboth Art League in Henlopen Acres, expanding access to the remarkable work of Delaware's artists statewide.
An artist reception will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 6-8 pm where guests will meet and greet many of the award winning artists who will be present to discuss their inspirations and techniques.
