More than 200 artists will be exhibiting their work on the banks of the Brandywine River this weekend.
The decades old Brandywine Festival of the Arts had drawn up to 200,000 people at its peak but by 2009 its popularity had diminished. That year, organizers pulled the plug on the event.
The hiatus was short lived. The following year, the annual Wilmington art affair returned with a new leader and renewed focus.
Festival producer Barry Schlecker says when the State of Delaware approached him about revising the event, his first task was to find out what had gone wrong.
“And I sort of used local artists as sort of my advisory board and decided we could do this if we ran it like a business.," he said. "So we incorporated all the things that you need; good artists, good food, some music. It’s worked out and each year we’ve had more and more attendance.”
Schlecker adds the event was created to champion original artists and the addition of vendors selling mass produced art had diminished the Brandywine brand. He credits a return to its original mission for breathing new life into the Brandywine Festival of the Arts.
“And that’s what sort of brought it down. So we just decided to jury the art. We brought in good food here, we added beer and wine, we made it a festive event by bringing in some local musicians and brought it back to its past glory I guess would be the way to say it.”
Only juried, professional artists may exhibit. Vendors selling mass produced works are now prohibited. Additionally, local musicians are encouraged to perform original music- not cover songs- and local restaurant chefs whip up food offerings beyond the typical festival fare.
The wide variety of original media at the Brandywine Festival of the Arts will include fine art, jewelry, sculpture, pottery and photography.
The event takes place Saturday and Sunday at Brandywine Park. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be available from nearby Baynard Stadium and Salesianum High School.