Sussex County is kind of having a moment. A Renaissance if you will. As new residents pour in from neighboring states & beyond–an impressive number of artists now call Sussex County home. This summer, I invite you to feed your senses and connect with the growing art movement right here in our backyard.
The Delaware Beaches have always attracted visionaries and creative minds. The Rehoboth Art League is a testament to our rich cultural history–celebrating its 52nd year in 2025. Exhibitions at Gallery 50 and the Peninsula Gallery have been highlighting local talent for years. As the population expands–so do opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives and discover something new. Fresh spaces are popping up annually. (Have you visited the Heidi Lowe Gallery or Ryves Holt in Lewes yet?) Artists are beginning to strike out independently with their own storefronts too–think Laura Killpack & Delaware Bay Clay.
If traditional galleries aren’t your scene-Developing Artist Collaboration (DAC) hosts a vibrant outdoor Art Market twice per week throughout the summer in West Rehoboth AND they’re launching a pop up series (Fresh Art Fridays). The atmosphere is upbeat, relaxed and inviting–a departure from conventional exhibitions. Events are a great opportunity to enjoy live music, peruse, have a few drinks and experience what local makers have to offer.
The creative economy is booming and artists are eager to make their mark in Sussex County now more than ever. Here’s why you should take advantage of the movement … When you shop local, you’re directly investing back into the community. You’re uplifting your neighbors instead of Bed Bath & Beyond. Buying local allows you to experience and acquire unique, one-of-a-kind objects. Stuff you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re looking for a memento, mug, wall art or a beautiful piece of jewelry–choosing something handmade is far more meaningful than picking it up from a big box store. Local products are diverse, eclectic & highly personal–they matter to the artist AND the collector.
Supporting the arts is about more than mere consumerism though. It’s an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking, discover your own unique tastes, and ignite your own creativity. By showing up, connecting & experiencing what our community has to offer–you’re nurturing your own unique tastes and preferences. You’re taking time to contemplate, discern & revel. In a world filled with vacuous digital images and doom scrolling–I think engaging with the arts locally is a very potent remedy.
It’s an exciting time to witness. Expanding creative culture here at the beach is a change we all can embrace, and there really is something for everyone. The more you show up and support local artists–the more our community will grow and continue to root itself here in Lower Slower.
