Join us for the 150th art show reception April 11

I missed including this information in Sunday's regular monthly newsletter, but this is such an important event we wanted you to know about. Please accept my apology for not getting it to you in that newsletter. ~Cori

Your Community Show — 150 Years of Derby artist reception, the public is invited
5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in the Derby Public Library, Derby City Hall, Derby Welcome Center and Derby City Council Chambers

As Derby celebrates turning 150 this year, the Derby Arts Council at the Derby Public Library has worked hard for several months to bring its biggest exhibition yet to the community.

Arts Council chair Tami English developed guidelines for the two divisions of the show, youth and adult, in September. Youth division guidelines were first, because it required coordinating with USD 260, St. Mary’s and Faith Lutheran schools, and the home school community.

Guidelines for artists over 18 came next, and 120 works by 68 artists were chosen through a blind selection process. For 27 of the artists whose works were chosen for the show, it’s the first time their work has been shown in Derby.

“We purposely blended the show with youth and professional art hanging side by side,” English said. “The goal of this show is inclusion.”

One of the most challenging aspects of the exhibition was managing hanging over 500 pieces of art in multiple locations. This exhibition spans from the galleries at the library (High Wall Gallery inside and Gathering Space Gallery in the lobby and Community Room) to the Welcome Center, City Council chambers and throughout City Hall.

“There was a lot of planning involved in order to figure out how much art we could accept,” English said.

Those who would like to view the art are encouraged to visit all the locations, where they will be welcomed during regular business hours. Artists’ works in the of the show include photography, graphite, oil pastels, colored pencil, oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, relief prints, digital illustrations, gouache and more.