Review 2: The Delaware Contemporary
Diamond State Review 2: Event Review, ART pARTy
Yesterday I had the most amazing time partying at a museum. Yes, I said museum. I know it sounds weird but hear me out for a moment. On Saturday, March 23, 2024, the Delaware Contemporary hosted an ART pARTy. I had no clue that fellow art enthusiasts could get down on the dance floor the way they did last night.
the delaware contemporary
“Delaware's only contemporary art museum. Founded in 1979. It is a non-collecting museum focused on work by local, regional, as well as national and international artists.”
Last year I had the privilege of briefly visiting the Delaware Contemporary for the first time. I attended one of their ongoing events titled the “Art Loop.” Attendees are provided with free transportation to and from each stop on the loop which is super convenient and allows you to meet new friends with similar interests. Each first Friday the Art Loop features special programming along with free cocktails, while attendees get a chance to indulge in some amazing artwork created by local artists. This loop takes place at different art exhibits and locations throughout the city of Wilmington, showcasing the creativity that exists right here in the state of Delaware.
The ART PARTy program featuring the many activities available for the night
Although I have been outside of the museum to wait for the art loop shuttle, I never actually got the chance to step inside until Saturday. The ART pARTy was a jam-packed event that started at 6 PM and continued until 10 PM. There was amazing food, cocktails, live music, and art on display (of course), along with several stations featuring different activities for partygoers to enjoy. One of my favorite activities was the Sprouts Bar hosted by Sprouts Farm DE. The Sprouts Bar was an area of the event where you could arrange fresh flowers. I really enjoyed that moment because I had never seen something like that at an event, so it was fun getting creative with flower arranging.
Another activity section that I enjoyed was the body scrub station hosted by Sunstone Soaps. At that station, attendees were given a chance to create their personalized body scrub. We each got to select an essential oil and a preferred fragrance. Both of these activities provided me with a new opportunity to express my creativity in a new way which I loved. As creative individuals, we must always find innovative ways to express ourselves which is why I love the events that Delaware Contemporary hosts for the city. It allows me to immerse myself in unique creative spaces that continues to inspire me with my own art.
Throughout the event, one of my favorite local bands, “Best Kept Soul,” kept the musical energy flowing with song selections from various artists. They started their music set by playing Sweetest Taboo by Sade, setting the vibe for the night. I can honestly say that they played a huge role in how much I enjoyed the overall event. I spent the remainder of the night on my feet dancing to some of the best music from artists like Earth, Wind and Fire, Jill Scott, The GAP Band, Mary J. Blige, and Maxwell, to name a few.
A delicious photo featuring a crab cake prepared by Chef Lamar.
There were multiple sections throughout the venue featuring various appetizers catered by a well-known chef named Chef Lamar. He serves the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. While I did not get a chance to try all of his food, the ones that I did get to try were amazing. From the Caesar salad to the macaroni and cheese, the crab cakes, and the shrimp, everything I tasted was well-seasoned, and made to perfection. Another part of the event that I enjoyed was Kalima’s Cocktail Koncoctions. Between those drinks, the food, and the music I was on cloud 9 for the entire night. Later that night I tried a few desserts from Velvet Cakes by Gwen, which of course was another hit. Overall, the catering was a 10/10 for me.
As the night continued, there were more activities to indulge in which included a photobooth section with an instant camera. Right after the photo section, there was a room where you could sit down to paint a photo frame to hold the instant picture that you just captured. The ART pARTy ended with a dance party that went on all night, ending with the electric slide to the sounds of “Before I Let You Go,” by Frankie Beverly and Maze, a bonafide classic.
The band “Best Kept Soul,” performs at the Delaware Contemporary’s ART pARTy on March 23, 2024.
Overall, the event was something I would attend again and I truly hope that the Delaware Contemporary considers doing this event multiple times a year. It would be nice to see some of the same vendors again or give other local businesses a chance to share their work as well. Either way, I am so happy that my close friend Danielle told me about the event and I am grateful that I had the time to attend. If you are looking for events to attend in the state of Delaware, I implore you to check out some of the ones taking place in and around Wilmington.
Event Recommendations: The ART pARTy of course and the Art Loop
I hope that you add Delaware Contemporary to your list of places to discover in Delaware.