MILFORD – The Mispillion Art League’s 22nd annual Judged Show is now open through Saturday, March 29 at 5 North Walnut Street.

The display features artwork in various materials and styles by league members, and patrons can check out the show for free.

“While the goal in hosting our shows is to welcome artists of all skill levels to exhibit, our annual Judged Show is particularly intriguing because of the awards given,” said Molly Honey King, a marketing chair for the art league.

She said that the incentive of awards attracts talent from across the region, many of whom create their most impressive pieces for a shot at a ribbon. 

This year, Michael Fleishman earned the Best in Show award with his mixed media piece, “Many are Cold but Few are Frozen.”

He uniquely works with cardboard as his primary medium, which has led him to the recycling bins to create some of his best pieces.

Household recycling like egg crates, moving containers, cereal boxes, and pizza rounds are the basis of Fleishman’s latest work, as he layers plenty of small geometric pieces of cardboard as a canvas on which to draw and paint.

His winning piece is topped with an intricate sprawl of miniature images like quirky characters, wonky architectural elements, and zany mechanical illustrations.

“The Best in Show winner, Michael Fleishman, exhibits this in many of his art pieces utilizing recycled materials and his uninhibited creativity,” said Eric Wahl, president of the Mispillion Art League.”

He said the public should visit to see this masterpiece, as well as the group members’ acrylics, oils, pottery, basketry, collage, and more. 

More awards have been given and categorized by medium. 

Deb Hansen judged the Mispillion Art League’s competition

Exhibit Judge Deb Hansen retired in 2020 as an Education Associate for Visual & Performing Arts and Gifted Programs at the Delaware Department of Education. 

A graduate of the University of Delaware with a bachelor of fine arts in printmaking, Hansen taught visual arts for 12 years before moving into administration in 2000. 

In 2008, Hansen became president of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education and in 2020, Deb was honored to receive the Peggy Amsterdam Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts by the Delaware State Arts Council. 

She is a member of the boards of the Delaware Arts Alliance and the Biggs Museum of American Art, and she lives in Lewes, where she is reviving her printmaking and textile studio.

Visit the exhibit on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It’s a fun bit of competition that gives a spotlight to a group of local artists,” Honey King said.