Meet the Artist: Jennifer Small, “Walking in the City” exhibition.
WILMINGTON-The Mezzanine Gallery of the Delaware Division of the Arts will feature “Walking in the City”, a painting exhibition by local artist Jennifer Small.
This collection of paintings reflects Small’s artistic journey after participating in an Artist Opportunity Grant workshop in Italy.
The exhibit which opened on January 20th, will include a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, February 7th.
The Meet the Artist reception event offers a unique opportunity to engage with Jennifer Small and gain insight into her creative process.
“During the opening reception on Friday I hope to connect further with the Wilmington art community through discussions of the work, process, and plans for continuing this series,” said Jennifer Small.
Jennifer Small, a Pennsylvania native, holds multiple degrees in painting and art education, including an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her work has been featured in exhibitions across cities such as Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago, as well as in prominent art publications. Now based in Wilmington, Delaware, she continues her career as a painter and visual designer.
“Walking in the City” is about the documentation of Small’s experience exploring Venice, Italy, on foot, for one day using abstract painting as the vehicle. Collecting visually engaging bits and pieces of her surroundings using still images and video. Grouped chronologically, these observations were simplified, broken down, and arranged into the compositions in the paintings using a process of drawing and collage.
“The titles of the paintings come from notes I was jotting down in real-time, about things I was hearing, seeing, and feeling during the walk,” she said.
The displayed paintings are part of a larger, ongoing series that tells that story.
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“My hope is that the viewer considers how taking a deeper look at their own environments can lead to an interesting visual discovery, that may have otherwise gone unnoticed,” she said.
The Mezzanine Gallery selected Small through an anonymous review process, reviewed by a panel of experts. Her work ranked among the top five submissions out of 61 artists.
“Jennifer Small’s work aligns with the gallery’s commitment to presenting high-quality artwork,” said Roxanne Stanulis, program officer for artist programs and services.
Since the late 1970s, the Mezzanine Gallery has showcased solo exhibitions by emerging and established Delaware artists.
“Jennifer’s large-scale paintings look great in the large space of the Mezzanine Gallery,” Stanulis said. “Her vibrant colors really pop off the walls.”
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- Acrylic and spray canvas from “Walking in the City”, by Jennifer Small.
The DDOA Grant helps artists like Jennifer Small
“It’s very exciting to have this show in the Mezzanine Gallery because a DDOA grant helped fund Jennifer’s participation in the workshop that led to the creation of this series.”
The Delaware Division of the Arts grant, (DDOA) helps fund a variety of arts-related projects in Delaware, including individual artists, non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities.
Because of this grant Small received in 2023, she was able to participate in the 2-week workshop in Venice with the European Cultural Academy.
Events such as the city’s First Friday Art Loop allow visitors to engage with local artists and experience their work up close. These events celebrate artistic talent while providing opportunities to support artists by purchasing original pieces, prints, and merchandise.
During the reception, Small will have limited edition prints available.
Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.
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