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COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Information On Bivalent Boosters Date Posted: September 16, 2022
DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects Date Posted: September 16, 2022
Brandywine Zoo Awarded Re-Accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Date Posted: September 15, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: September 15, 2022
September is Preparedness Month in Delaware Date Posted: September 15, 2022
DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture Date Posted: September 14, 2022
DPH Shares Activities As Part Of Falls Prevention Awareness Week Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Delaware Waterfowl and Trout Stamp Art Winners Chosen Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Stephen Taylor to Lead Delaware Captive Bureau Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Hunters Reminded Harvest of Delmarva Fox Squirrels is Prohibited Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety Anticipates Increase in Motorcycle Traffic for Delmarva Bike Week Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases 19 More School District Audits Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Date Posted: September 12, 2022
DPH Announces Expanded Monkeypox Vaccination Access and Vaccination During AIDS Walk Delaware Events On September 17 Date Posted: September 12, 2022
MONEY MATCH Program reunites over $460,000 to Delaware Taxpayers Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Awards More Than $3.8 Million to Support High-Quality Professional Learning Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 10, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Free Basic Emergency Class on August 26 and 27 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DelDOT Offers Sign Placement Law Reminder Ahead of Election Season Date Posted: August 13, 2022
DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts Date Posted: August 12, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: August 12, 2022
Statement From Auditor McGuiness On Judge’s Ruling Date Posted: August 11, 2022
Auditor’s Office to Release Fifteen Examinations of Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Date Posted: August 11, 2022
AG Jennings Unveils AG’s Abortion Legal Helpline Date Posted: August 10, 2022
State Launches Education Funding Study Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Northern California Date Posted: August 9, 2022
Family Emergency Preparedness Day Returns on September 17 Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project Date Posted: August 9, 2022
2022 State Test Results Provide Baseline for Pandemic Recovery Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DNREC, DelDOT To Deploy New EV Charging Stations Along State’s Major Travel Routes Via BIL Initiative Funding Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DPH Seeks Community-Based Applicants For Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Mini-Grants Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Sherman W. Tribbitt Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips In Dog Abandonment Case Resulting In Death Date Posted: August 5, 2022
Delaware Captive Bureau to Welcome New Director Date Posted: August 5, 2022
DPH Announces Additional Cases Of Monkeypox Date Posted: August 4, 2022
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Information On Bivalent Boosters Date Posted: September 16, 2022
DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects Date Posted: September 16, 2022
Brandywine Zoo Awarded Re-Accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Date Posted: September 15, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: September 15, 2022
September is Preparedness Month in Delaware Date Posted: September 15, 2022
DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture Date Posted: September 14, 2022
DPH Shares Activities As Part Of Falls Prevention Awareness Week Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Delaware Waterfowl and Trout Stamp Art Winners Chosen Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Stephen Taylor to Lead Delaware Captive Bureau Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Hunters Reminded Harvest of Delmarva Fox Squirrels is Prohibited Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety Anticipates Increase in Motorcycle Traffic for Delmarva Bike Week Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases 19 More School District Audits Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Date Posted: September 12, 2022
DPH Announces Expanded Monkeypox Vaccination Access and Vaccination During AIDS Walk Delaware Events On September 17 Date Posted: September 12, 2022
MONEY MATCH Program reunites over $460,000 to Delaware Taxpayers Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Awards More Than $3.8 Million to Support High-Quality Professional Learning Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 10, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Free Basic Emergency Class on August 26 and 27 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DelDOT Offers Sign Placement Law Reminder Ahead of Election Season Date Posted: August 13, 2022
DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts Date Posted: August 12, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: August 12, 2022
Statement From Auditor McGuiness On Judge’s Ruling Date Posted: August 11, 2022
Auditor’s Office to Release Fifteen Examinations of Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Date Posted: August 11, 2022
AG Jennings Unveils AG’s Abortion Legal Helpline Date Posted: August 10, 2022
State Launches Education Funding Study Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Northern California Date Posted: August 9, 2022
Family Emergency Preparedness Day Returns on September 17 Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project Date Posted: August 9, 2022
2022 State Test Results Provide Baseline for Pandemic Recovery Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DNREC, DelDOT To Deploy New EV Charging Stations Along State’s Major Travel Routes Via BIL Initiative Funding Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DPH Seeks Community-Based Applicants For Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Mini-Grants Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Sherman W. Tribbitt Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips In Dog Abandonment Case Resulting In Death Date Posted: August 5, 2022
Delaware Captive Bureau to Welcome New Director Date Posted: August 5, 2022
DPH Announces Additional Cases Of Monkeypox Date Posted: August 4, 2022
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Delaware Division of the Arts | New Castle County | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Wilmington, Del. (August 24, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Kiara Florez’s exhibition, Inner Reflections, running September 2-23, 2022. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, September 9, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Painter Kiara Florez was always involved in “artistic endeavors.” As a child she wanted to be a writer, “creating characters and worlds that didn’t exist” and writing stories while drawing her ideas. It was in high school – at age 16 – that Florez turned seriously to visual art. As she learned the fundamentals and explored a variety of media, she came to painting and discovered her style and artistic process. Her works, primarily paint on canvases, use acrylics to mix the primary colors together. She uses only one paintbrush as she lets the painting come to life through an intuitive process. “I often meditate to music or be surrounded by nature to find a visual for the messages and/or emotions I am trying to convey,” says Florez. “My progression of each work is loosely based on jumbles of my thoughts and feelings at the time, so there are moments where the painting can take an unexpected turn. In the end, there is always a personal and spiritual message within each work in this series.”
Based on intuition, her works begin with a faint idea of “how I want the painting to come to life.” But that process is often challenging. Since a work in progress can “change form and go in any direction it pleases,” it can require her to overpaint or even begin again. But while each work springs from a personal message, she leaves any “interpretation and analysis” up to her viewers and is especially gratified when her paintings “speak not just to the mind, but to the soul as well.”
A recent graduate of Delaware State University with a B.A. in studio art, Florez has already been seen in several exhibitions, was the Delaware winner of the 2017 Doodle4Google competition, and has had her work on view at the U.S. Capitol. Her imaginative paintings magically merge the figurative and the abstract, always informed by “nature, music, all forms of art, and dreams.”
The collection that garnered her the Division’s Fellowship is a series of acrylic paintings on canvas, colorful narratives that “explore spiritual thinking and imaginative worlds, using bold colors and wavy lines.” Both figural and abstract, her works are populated with exaggerated shapes in a vibrant color palette, a “loose interpretation of the human figure and nature” that carry Florez’ personal, spiritual messages.
Florez describes her inspiration as an artist: “This collection of paintings explores spiritual thinking and imaginative worlds, using bold colors and wavy lines to express those concepts. I let the colors connect with each other and let them dance across the canvas. The forms and shapes are highly exaggerated and appear in abstract form. Many of my works often human-like beings interacting with landscapes or other beings. The figures may not always have facial or a full body. They may be placed above a natural landscape, floating above mountains or standing tall in the sky. I create openly interpretive paintings for viewers even if there is a personal meaning behind it.”
The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.
Image: “Stuck in a Daze” (2021) Acrylic painting, 30x40in
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Related Topics: "Delaware Division of the Arts", activities, art exhibition, art gallery, artist, arts, Carvel State Building, Delaware State University, events, exhibits, free to the public, Individual Artist Fellowships, Kiara Florez, Mezzanine Gallery, museums, painting
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
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Delaware Division of the Arts | New Castle County | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Wilmington, Del. (August 24, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Kiara Florez’s exhibition, Inner Reflections, running September 2-23, 2022. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, September 9, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Painter Kiara Florez was always involved in “artistic endeavors.” As a child she wanted to be a writer, “creating characters and worlds that didn’t exist” and writing stories while drawing her ideas. It was in high school – at age 16 – that Florez turned seriously to visual art. As she learned the fundamentals and explored a variety of media, she came to painting and discovered her style and artistic process. Her works, primarily paint on canvases, use acrylics to mix the primary colors together. She uses only one paintbrush as she lets the painting come to life through an intuitive process. “I often meditate to music or be surrounded by nature to find a visual for the messages and/or emotions I am trying to convey,” says Florez. “My progression of each work is loosely based on jumbles of my thoughts and feelings at the time, so there are moments where the painting can take an unexpected turn. In the end, there is always a personal and spiritual message within each work in this series.”
Based on intuition, her works begin with a faint idea of “how I want the painting to come to life.” But that process is often challenging. Since a work in progress can “change form and go in any direction it pleases,” it can require her to overpaint or even begin again. But while each work springs from a personal message, she leaves any “interpretation and analysis” up to her viewers and is especially gratified when her paintings “speak not just to the mind, but to the soul as well.”
A recent graduate of Delaware State University with a B.A. in studio art, Florez has already been seen in several exhibitions, was the Delaware winner of the 2017 Doodle4Google competition, and has had her work on view at the U.S. Capitol. Her imaginative paintings magically merge the figurative and the abstract, always informed by “nature, music, all forms of art, and dreams.”
The collection that garnered her the Division’s Fellowship is a series of acrylic paintings on canvas, colorful narratives that “explore spiritual thinking and imaginative worlds, using bold colors and wavy lines.” Both figural and abstract, her works are populated with exaggerated shapes in a vibrant color palette, a “loose interpretation of the human figure and nature” that carry Florez’ personal, spiritual messages.
Florez describes her inspiration as an artist: “This collection of paintings explores spiritual thinking and imaginative worlds, using bold colors and wavy lines to express those concepts. I let the colors connect with each other and let them dance across the canvas. The forms and shapes are highly exaggerated and appear in abstract form. Many of my works often human-like beings interacting with landscapes or other beings. The figures may not always have facial or a full body. They may be placed above a natural landscape, floating above mountains or standing tall in the sky. I create openly interpretive paintings for viewers even if there is a personal meaning behind it.”
The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.
Image: “Stuck in a Daze” (2021) Acrylic painting, 30x40in
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Related Topics: "Delaware Division of the Arts", activities, art exhibition, art gallery, artist, arts, Carvel State Building, Delaware State University, events, exhibits, free to the public, Individual Artist Fellowships, Kiara Florez, Mezzanine Gallery, museums, painting
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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