MAY 2025 Arden Artisans Collective Newsletter

In This Issue:

📌 Arden Artisan Social Meeting Recap
📌 A Living Legacy: 125 Years of Art and Craft in the Ardens: First Call
📌 Arden Craft Shop Museum
📌 2025 Spring Studio Art Tour 
📌 2025 Small Art Show/Fair Booth--last call before we abandon all hope.
📌  Public Art Update
📌 Steering Committee MAY meeting
📌 June Newsletter Deadline.
📌 Carrot Cake and Sekhmet's Wine (mocktail) recipe

Arden Artisan Social Recap

On April 22, we held the Arden Artisans Spring Social, with about 22 people in attendance. Unfortunately, our scheduled presenter, Jen Borders, was unable to join us due to illness—we’re sending her our best wishes and will definitely reschedule her presentation soon. In her place, Shay Seaborne graciously stepped in to share her latest lapbook,  “Healing Happens in Connection: The Basics of Interpersonal Neurobiology for Healthcare with Della the IPNB Ladybug." It is a lighthearted introduction to Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), offering simplified language and whimsical watercolors with cartoon ladybugs to teach Relational Neuroscience to doctors, making complex concepts both fun and accessible.

As you may recall, we’ve adopted a new format for these gatherings: a featured presenter kicks things off, followed by an open opportunity for others to showcase in-progress or new work. While no one initially brought work to share, a little gentle nudging led five artisans (including yours truly) to open up about projects they’re currently working on. Each of these artists is venturing into unfamiliar or challenging territory—making creative leaps. Observing from the side, Rick Rothrock aptly described this as “pivoting,” which, as he noted, is something artists do instinctively. The conversation that followed was lively and inspiring.

Although this discussion emerged organically, we may bring a few light prompts to future socials—just in case we need a jumping-off point for sharing. I hope we’ll get to see the visuals of those in-progress pieces at future gatherings. The evening ended on a delicious note with Shay’s luscious carrot cake and a mocktail (Sekhmet’s wine). You’ll find the recipes at the bottom of this newsletter.

While we originally planned to hold our next Artisan Social in the fall, we may schedule one sooner to hear Jen’s rescheduled presentation—stay tuned!

A Living Legacy: 125 Years of Art and Craft in the Ardens

The AAC will be having 2 sister exhibits outside the Ardens to celebrate the arts and crafts legacy of our community. We will juxtapose works by contemporary artists along side works and photographs of artisans of the past 125 years in the Ardens. The first exhibit will be for our 2D and relief artists and will take place in October at the Baby Grand in downtown Wilmington. The second exhibit will be for our 3D artisans at the Blue Ball Barn in the Alapocus Run State Park during the month of November. We have started early with our marketing and have secrued a spread in DE Today as well as an interview in State of the Arts podcast. 

First Call for Submissions--DEADLINE EXTENDED – 2D Art Show
Submissions are now open for the 2D and relief art show at the Baby Grand, scheduled for October. To ensure high-quality images for publicity, we are conducting a first round of submissions. We have extended the deadline due May 8 for the first round, with a second round due July 1. The first round is specifically to gather images for publicity. All photos for this round should be of a quality to use in print and online media. (5 x 7 format, 1500 x 2100 pixels, 300 dpi.)

Submit your work here: Submission Form
For assistance, contact Megan King at meganmurphyking@gmail.com.

Submissions-- 3D Art Show
 3D applications will be available in July and due in August. Please consider participating! Feel free to contact Micah Altman with any questions. ArdenLampWorks@gmail.com or 707-208-6221.

Afternoon with the Artist featuring Cookie Ohlson

📅 Sunday, May 1, 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Bernie Schwab Community Room at the Arden Craft Shop Museum

The Arden Craft Shop Museum and  the Arden Artisans Collective present Afternoon with the Artist with Cookie Ohlson, opening on Sunday, May 11, 1-3. Come out on a beautiful spring day, It’s the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day with an art show and reception. The exhibition is in the Bernie Schwab Community room at the Arden Craft Shop.

2025 Arden Studio Tour

📅 Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

This year's Annual Arden's Artists Studio Tour will feature 25 of Ardens artists and artisans displaying their creations in their own Studios and Galleries. Last year's Tour attracted 80 art lovers to experience our town and the full spectrum of art created in our Village. Maps, artist information and photos from last year's Tour will be available on our Facebook Page: Arden's Artists Studio Tour and at each artist studio. Rain date is Sunday, June 8. Thanks for supporting our local artists

*This is not an official AAC event, but we support David Burslem in this initiaive and look forward to visiting the studios and supporting our artists on this tour.

ARDEN FAIR Booth & Small Art Show: On the Verge of Becoming Mythical Legends

So far, no brave soul has stepped up to wrangle the AAC Fair Booth or champion the Small Art Show. As such, we’re considering gently releasing them into the wilds of “maybe next year.” With 2025 already bursting at the seams, we’re thinking these beloved events might need a little nap.

BUT—if you’ve been quietly hoping someone else would volunteer first so you could swoop in heroically at the last minute… this is your moment! Don your cape, raise your hand, and make yourself known before our steering committee meeting on May 7. After that, we’re officially squashing this like an overripe tomato.

Your move, future legend.

Public Art Update – Grant Pending

Ardentown has applied for AARP funding to paint 11 electrical boxes in the Ardens. If approved (announcement expected in early May), boxes will be professionally prepped, artists will be paid, materials provided, and work will need to be completed by year’s end. Stay tuned for updates on project meetings and how to apply! If you have interest in painting one of the electrical boxes, email Bethany Rees.

AAC Steering Committee Meeting

📅 Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Annette Hearing's House, Sunset Lane

The steering committee is meeting. If you have any updates on initiatives or issues for us to touch on, please email ardenartisans@gmail.com. 

Newsletter Submissions Reminder

As more members take initiative, the newsletter is shifting from being written by one person to a collaborative effort. If you're organizing an event, please write and submit your blurb.📝 Deadline for the May newsletter: May 23 (Note that this is earler than Arden Page deadline)

📧 Submit to: ardenartisans@gmail.com

📢 Stay connected & engaged!

On behalf of the 2025 Steering Committee: Jill Althouse-Wood, Linda Toman, Shay Seaborne, Megan King, Annette Hearing, Cookie Ohlson, Betty O’Regan, and Treasurer Jeanne Orr

“A good way to rid one's self of a sense of discomfort is to do something. That uneasy, dissatisfied feeling is actual force vibrating out of order; it may be turned to practical account by giving proper expression to its creative character.”  ― William Morris

LYNNE MASTERSON’s CARROT CAKE RECIPE

For those who enjoyed the carrot cake at the Arden Artisans Collective Spring Social last night and want the recipe. I got it from a housemate in 1985 and it has been a favorite since. Everybody loves this cake!--Shay

3 C finely grated (I put them in the food processor and it works just as well) carrots, set aside

4 eggs

2 C sugar

1/2 C oil

2 C flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp salt

1 C walnuts

1 C raisins

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add sugar and oil. In separate bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, baking powder, and spices. Stir into egg mix. Fold in carrots, walnuts, and raisins. Pour into oiled 9"x13" pan, bake for 45-50 minutes. Cool cake thoroughly before icing.

Icing:

1/2 C butter (1 stick)

8 oz. cream cheese (1 pkg)

3-1/2 C confectioner's sugar (1 lb pkg)

1-3 TBS milk, if needed

2 tsp vanilla.

Soften butter and cream cheese. Combine all ingredients and beat smooth.

SEKHMET’S WINE (MOCKTAIL) RECIPE

Roughly, it's half a liter of Seltzer, a shot of rose water, and a pint of dark fruit juice. I like the blends they have at Aldi like the antioxidant and superfruits. Pomegranate or cherry work well, too.—Shay Seaborne