Sitting Pretty: A Collections Showcase

From May 10 to July 14, the league will have two unique curated shows on display to highlight pieces from RAL’s permanent fine art collection. The historic Peter Marsh Homestead will display the exhibit “Self-Taught,” which features pieces from artists who are considered to be self-trained. While some may have taken some art classes at RAL, the majority have never attended a formal art school and began creating art out of an internal desire to express themselves. 

“Sitting Pretty,” a showcase curated by RAL Exhibition Committee members Le Rowell and Denise Clemons, will be on display in the DeWitt Gallery. The most prominent feature of a portrait is the person who sits for the artist creating the work. The same can be said for an object that serves to inspire a piece of sculpture. In this show, viewers will find a unique ensemble of works from the Rehoboth Art League’s Collection that illustrate the notion of “sitting pretty,” whether whimsical or serious, abstract or representational.  

The Rehoboth Art League is one of only a few actively collecting art institutions in Delaware.  The collection contains over 1000 items, which include works of art in various media; colonial furniture; artifacts and decorative art collected by the Corkran’s when they resided in the Homestead, as well as an array of RAL’s organizational archives.  The collection maintains a focus on mid-20th century works of art created by notable artists such as Ethel P.B. Leach, William Leach, Orville Peets, Jack Lewis, Howard Pyle, Edward Grant and Howard Schroeder, to name a few.  As part of our exhibition season, we are excited to share many of these works, some which have never been seen, to the public with these special “themed” showcases curated by members of the Collections Committee .

Sitting Pretty is Curated by Denise Clemons and Le Rowell

“The most prominent feature of a portrait is the person who sits for the artist creating the work. The same can be said for an object that serves to inspire a piece of sculpture. Here you will find a unique ensemble of works from the Rehoboth Art League’s Collection that illustrate the notion of Sitting Pretty, whether whimsical or serious, abstract or representational.”

The exhibitions are free and open to everyone during the regular gallery hours of Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, noon to 4 pm.  

The Rehoboth Art League 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 www.DelawareScene.com. 

The Rehoboth Art League is a membership-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to teaching, preserving and inspiring the arts in the region. For additional information about this exhibit, the Art League, its classes, memberships, events and exhibitions, please visit the website at RehobothArtLeague.org or call 302.227.8408. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @RehobothArtLeague.