Women’s History Month kicks off with program on March 3rd that highlights the impact of women through the arts
Visit www.newcastlede.gov for info on more than a dozen events throughout March at county libraries
New Castle, DE – On Sunday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rockwood Park Carriage House, 4651 Washington Street Extension, New Castle County kicks off Women’s History Month with its 5th Annual Great Women in History Program, celebrating the impact of women through the arts! Sunday’s program features the stories of local honorees Sharon Baker, Co-Founder of production company TELEDUCTION; Tina Betz, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Wilmington; and Eunice LaFate, teacher, artist and owner of Lafate Gallery. This free event also includes informational displays that highlight powerful women throughout the arts community. Light refreshments will be served and attendees can tour Rockwood Museum's new exhibit Mansions and Menageries. Girl Scouts who attend will earn their Women's History badge.
“This March take a moment to recognize the women who have taught, inspired and made a difference in your own life and join us all month long as we celebrate great women who have made our world a better place,” said County Executive Matt Meyer.
Great Women in History kicks off more than a dozen free educational programs throughout March at New Castle County libraries. View the complete calendar at www.newcastlede.gov.
Learn more about the Great Women in History event by visiting www.newcastlede.gov and register online (registrations requested) at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-women-in-history-power-in-the-arts-tickets-55047902759.
About this year’s local honorees:
Sharon Baker has been the creative force behind the evolution of the award-winning local production company, TELEDUCTION. With more than 30 years of project and production experience as a writer, director and producer of documentary TV programs and digital media projects, she has worked on location throughout the US and in Africa, China, Central America and Europe. Her work has been recognized with 23 regional EMMY nominations and 9 regional EMMY Awards and has been screened in film festivals, including the NYC Indy Fest where her title, My Friend Ed won Best Short Documentary in 2014. In 2002, Sharon founded Serviam Media, Inc., DBA Hearts and Minds Film, a nonprofit designed to inform, inspire and empower diverse audiences through creative media projects. Sharon also established the Film program at Delaware State University, where she authored new curricula and initiated the Hearts and Minds Film Festival.
Tina Betz is a performing artist and arts supporter who has championed the arts as a stabilizing influence in the transformation of individuals and places. As Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Wilmington, she manages the City’s Percent for Art program and public art commissions and coordinates popular annual community-wide events, including the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, which she initiated in 1988, the July 4th Celebration, Art On the Town and Riverfront Blues Festival. Tina, who has performed professionally in regional and off-Broadway, day-time soap operas and as a voice over actor, co-founded the Wilmington Children’s Chorus, Wilmington’s Fringe Festival and Theatre N.
As an educator, artist, former banker, human services administrator, writer, storyteller, and public speaker on Folk Art and Culture, Eunice LaFate has made a positive impact on many lives. A Jamaican born self-taught artist, Eunice’s vibrant art in acrylic, oil, and watercolors portrays folk culture and embraces human diversity. Her accomplishments include starting a “safe-haven basement gallery” for youth on the Wilmington’s Eastside, the Summer Stop the Violence program and Summer Arts in the Parks. Her paintings are in the art collection of Delaware Folk Life of the Blue Ball Barn and in the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library in Little, Rock AR.
Elizabeth Kukulich, Girl Scout Gold Award recipient for The Ultimate Mural Project. The Ultimate Mural was a project created to benefit and bring awareness to a local animal shelter and the animals who receive safe haven there. To amplify her message, Elizabeth created and distributed flyers to local businesses and through social media and organized an event at the shelter to engage the community and unveil the completed mural.
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Contact: Jason Miller, Director of Communications, 302-545-1462