As a proud supporter of all types of photography, the Biggs Museum of American Art will feature the visual storytelling of newspapers and magazines from throughout the greater Delmarva region in its first major exhibition on photojournalism. News publishers are among the nation’s oldest and most revered image makers. Differing from other types of photographic interpretation and documentation, photojournalists, or news writers that use images instead of words, are bound by a rigid ethical framework that their work be both honest and impartial. The art of photojournalism, especially in local newspapers, is under appreciated in American art museums even though they tell the stories that unify communities. This under-explored art form helps define modern news media and creates deeper connections to news subjects. This embattled local profession deserves greater public attention and critical examination of its accomplishments.
The Biggs Museum is proud to partner with nearly every major news and magazine platform within Delaware to select highlights in local photojournalism form the past 20 years in one group exhibition. In addition, select photos will also be on view from some of Delaware’s premier photojournalists like Gary Emeigh and Kevin Fleming. The exhibition will feature over 80 iconic photographs including illustrations, covers and feature images from your favorite news sources across Delaware’s three counties. News sources confirmed for this exhibition include:
The News Journal
Delaware State News
The Dover Post
WBOC
Delaware Today
Beach Life Magazine
The Hunt
Cape Gazette
Hoy en Delaware
Laurel Star
Seaford Star
Milford Chronicle
Sussex County Post
Newark Post
Coastal Point
Out and About
Outdoor Delaware Magazine
Letters from Camp Rehoboth
This 4-month exhibition will be accompanied by a wide variety of public programs on the art of photojournalism featuring Delaware celebrity journalists, VIP tours of news rooms and writing workshops.
Public programs include:
•November 1, 5-7 PM – Opening reception for two important exhibitions: Ripped from the Headlines: Photojournalism in Delaware and the artist installation of the Lenape Tribe of Delaware Healing Arts Mural. Ripped features iconic photographs published in all of Delaware’s major newspapers and magazines of the past two decades as well as favorites by Delaware’s pre-eminent photojournalists such as Kevin Fleming and Gary Emeigh. The mural was coordinated by Cheyney University professor and painter Marietta Dantonio-Madsen in conjunction with the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware. Refreshments will be provided. $10 adults, $8 seniors; members, students with ID, and active military free. RSVP online at BiggsMuseum.org or by calling 302-674-2111.
•November 2, all day – Biggs Kids, Featuring story-writing exercises from photographs. This Free writing workshop will help kids develop their creative writing skills and tell terrific stories. Can bring your own photographs or work from examples in the museum’s collections.
•November 2, 10AM-4PM – Delaware By Hand Fine Art and Craft Fair at the Artisan Market – in partnership with the First State Heritage Park and to kick off the holiday season, the Biggs will host several DBH artist member booths for an indoor art sale. Free to all.
•November 16, 10AM – 1PM – Writing and Drawing Workshop: Exercising the Mind’s Eye – In the spirt of the interdisciplinary nature of photojournalism, the Biggs is partnering with local author Caroline Simpson for a writing workshop inspired by the Biggs’ collection. Participants will write and draw alongside artwork in the museum — cartooning, drawing rudimentary portraits, illustrating, and creating original metaphors. The class is designed for beginner and intermediate writers and artists alike. The workshop will end with a reading of Caroline’s illustrated poetry from her chapbook, Choose Your Own Adventure and Other Poems. Each participant will receive a small sketchbook as part of their registration and drawing supplies will be made available. $30/$25 Biggs Museum members. RSVP online at BiggsMuseum.org or by calling 302-674-2111.
•November 21, 6-7PM, Award Winning Delaware photojournalist, Gary Emeigh, will offer highlights and a book signing of his recently released publication, The Ink in My Blood, chronicling over 50 years of his career in newspapers. $10 adults, $8 seniors; members, students with ID, and active military free. RSVP online at BiggsMuseum.org or by calling 302-674-2111.
•December 7, all day – Biggs Kids, collage cards for the holidays-use photography and other printed images to create special holiday cards for friends and family.
•December 7, 10AM-4PM – Happy Holidays Dover, the museum’s holiday celebration features festive treats, student choral groups and our Kids Only Holiday Gift Store. Free to all.
•December 14, 2-4PM – The Art of Making the News: VIP Tours of the Delaware State News. News staff will lead a tour through the offices of the Delaware State News to trace the news from concept to printed paper with special insight into planning daily content and the newspaper printing press. Refreshments will be provided to this free event. RSVP online at BiggsMuseum.org or by calling 302-674-2111.
•January 9, 6-7PM –Photojournalism and Photography in Delaware: A Panel Discussion – Ryan Grover, Biggs Museum Curator, will lead a panel discussion on the state of photojournalism in Delaware today in the context of 21st century digital photo media, emphasizing the adventures of the state’s photojournalism past. $10 adults, $8 seniors; members, students with ID, and active military free. RSVP online at BiggsMuseum.org or by calling 302-674-2111.
This exhibition will open in conjunction with an artist installation entitled Lenape Tribe of Delaware Haling Arts Mural.
Photo cover: King Petty by Marc Clery for the Delaware State News
