Biggs Museum celebrates 25 years of artist fellowships with ‘Award Winners XXV’

The Biggs Museum of American Art is marking a major milestone this spring with the opening of “Award Winners XXV,” an exhibition honoring the 25th anniversary of the Delaware Division of the Arts’ Individual Artist Fellowship program.

Opening to the public on May 15 and running through September 14, 2025, the exhibition showcases the work of 21 artists who received fellowships this year in recognition of their creativity and artistic excellence.

Their work spans a range of disciplines—from painting, sculpture, and poetry to choreography and folk art—and reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Delaware’s arts community.

“This 25th anniversary of Award Winners is not just a celebration of this year’s fellows, but a tribute to the incredible legacy of creativity that Delaware artists have built over a quarter-century,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “We are proud to honor the individual voices, visions, and achievements of artists who shape the cultural fabric of our state and inspire generations to come.”

READ: Newark Charter’s Katie Miro is the 2025 Delaware Charter School Teacher of the Year

The fellowship program, administered annually by the Division of the Arts, drew 191 applications in 2025.

A panel of out-of-state arts professionals selected the winners, awarding fellowships in three categories: Masters, Established, and Emerging Artists. Thirteen additional artists were recognized as runners-up.

The exhibit opens with a public reception on Thursday, May 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Biggs Museum in Dover.

An awards ceremony featuring live performances by music and dance fellows will kick off the evening at 5:30 p.m. Guests are invited to view the exhibition and enjoy light refreshments following the ceremony.

“It is an incredible honor for the Biggs Museum to have partnered with the Delaware Division of the Arts for the Award Winners exhibition for 25 years,” said Laura Fravel, Curator at the Biggs Museum of American Art. “We are proud to be part of a tradition that has celebrated and elevated Delaware’s vibrant artistic community for a quarter of a century, and we look forward to continuing that legacy.”

After its run in Dover, the exhibition will travel to two additional venues: the Historic Odessa Foundation (Sept. 19 – Oct. 26) and the Rehoboth Art League (Nov. 7–30), making the work of these artists accessible to audiences across the state.