Stephanie Boateng at the Mezzanine Gallery

The Sweet Shoppe

On view March 3-30, 2023

The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Stephanie Boateng’s exhibition, “The Sweet Shoppe”, running March 3-31, 2023. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, March 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Stephanie Boateng is a 24-year-old Delaware based three-dimensional portrait artist. Boateng’s work features black women created to be an experience of happiness, love, and beauty. Boateng’s subjects feature wide smiles as the artist wants the paintings to fill the viewers with contagious joy.

Boateng is inspired by Black artists, stylists, photographers, and influencers, especially by Alyssa Silos, whose social media following and flourishing world-wide art career led Boateng to begin her business and venture into the 3-D portraits that garnered her Fellowship. The addition of flowers, rhinestones, papier mache, sweets made from, and myriad other objects allows Boateng’s vivid, smiling, and sometimes larger-than-life portraits to move off the canvas.

“The 3-D elements in my work are so important because I want the artwork to truly speak to the viewer and allow them to interact with it in a very personal way.” But making actual objects cohesive with a painted canvas creates challenges. “As my paintings get bigger, I know the 3D pieces are going to get more difficult, but I’m excited for all of the new milestones.”

Her work is grounded in a deep passion for connecting with people. Boateng is especially delighted when her paintings are appreciated on an emotional level and people are enlivened by the contagious joy they see. That’s the purpose of her art. “I am always so grateful to be able to share a smile with others. Many people don’t understand just how powerful it is. Sharing a smile could brighten up someone’s day or even someone’s life.”

Boateng dreams of owning her own studio, and teaching others how to use art to improve their daily lives through art therapy. She also wants to promote mental health awareness in black women.

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: “Sienna”. Mixed Media on Canvas. 60″x84″. 2022.

Image: “Mocha”. Mixed Media on Canvas. 48″x72″. 2022.

Mezzanine Gallery Application

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.

To be considered for an exhibition, artists may submit a Mezzanine Gallery Application before the annual deadline of March 15.

Individual Artist Fellowship Application

Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellowships recognize artists for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards. Individual Artist Fellows are publicly acknowledged and benefit from the additional exposure to their work. Visual artists who receive Individual Artist Fellowships are also given the opportunity to exhibit in the Mezzanine Gallery.

To be considered for a Fellowship, artists may submit an Individual Artist Fellowship Application before the annual deadline of August 1.

Join our Gallery list

Visit the Gallery

Hours

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Photo ID required after 4:30 p.m.

Parking 

On-street and garage parking available

Admission

Free and open to the public.

About the Gallery

The Mezzanine Gallery presents solo exhibitions of work by Delaware artists in disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, folk, and media arts.

This opportunity is available to Delaware’s emerging and established visual artists who have won Individual Artist Fellowships, or have been chosen by the Division’s annual Gallery Panel.

Opening Reception

Held the first Friday of the month from 5-7 p.m. Dates are subject to change.

Tad Sare*

April 7-28, 2023
Opening Reception: April 14 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

Leanna Thonvong*

May 5-26, 2023
Opening Reception: May 5 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

Aaron Terry*

June 3-30, 2023
Opening Reception: June 3 from 5:00pm-7:00pm