A woman and a man are standing in the Mezzanine Gallery, looking at the pictures on exhibit. The woman's back is towards the camera, while the man is standing to face the woman and look at the pictures at the same time. The pictures are hanging on two white walls that meet at a corner.

To be considered for an exhibition, artists may submit a Mezzanine Gallery Application though smARTDE. Artists who have received an Individual Artist Fellowship in the visual arts are also given the opportunity to exhibit in the gallery.

The Mezzanine Gallery, located in the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington, features one-person exhibitions of Delaware artists in disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, folk, and media arts.

Eligibility:

  • Professionals in the visual arts who are Delaware residents, at least 18 years of age and not enrolled in a degree-granting educational program, may apply.
  • Division staff and their families or DSAC members and their families are not eligible to apply.
  • Applications must be made annually by March 15 to be considered for an exhibition in the Mezzanine Gallery.
  • Artists are eligible to exhibit their work in the gallery every three calendar years. For example, a 2020 exhibitor could apply by the March 15, 2022 deadline for a 2023 exhibition.

Review Process:

The Division convenes a panel of artists and arts professionals each year to serve on the Gallery Selection Panel. The Panel meets in the spring, usually in May, and reviews five images from each artist. The artwork is not identified by artist and identifiable signatures are blocked out. The top-ranked artists are contacted via email to schedule their exhibition on a first-come first-served basis.

NOTE: The Mezzanine Gallery Application replaces the Visual Images Registry (VIR) Application. The Visual Images Registry (formerly the Slide Registry) has been discontinued. The Division maintains the Delaware Artist Roster as a free marketing tool for artists and a resource for those looking for artistic talent.

About the Exhibitions:

The Delaware Division of the Arts pays a small honorarium to exhibitors selected by the Gallery Selection Panel, promotes the exhibition, and provides information to media organizations throughout the region. No commission is charged on any works sold. Exhibitors assume responsibility for mounting their exhibitions and for providing refreshments at the public opening.

The work exhibited must be consistent in quality and content with that reviewed by the Gallery Selection Panel. In addition, the Division reserves the right to review all work prior to the exhibition for its suitability for display in a public area of a government building. Selected Mezzanine Gallery artists will be sent a letter of agreement to review and sign.

Mezzanine Gallery artists and exhibitions are promoted through the Division’s e-newsletters, website, social media (including a Meet the Artist video), evite, press releases, and printed gallery schedule card. Gallery shows are also publicized on numerous outside calendars.

Mezzanine Gallery applications are accepted via the Division’s smARTDE online system.

To get started, download the Login Instructions to learn how to log in and navigate the system. A Demonstration Video (31 minutes long) is also available. Once logged in, the Mezzanine Gallery application will be listed under “Opportunities.”

If you have any questions, please contact Roxanne Stanulis by email at roxanne.stanulis@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-577-8283.