The information below is for (you guessed it) information purposes only.
Please email delawarefunaday@gmail.com if you have questions.
What is Delaware Fun-A-Day?
Fun-A-Day is a FREE, all-ages, all skill sets & experience, non-juried, community-centric art project and show. Participants choose a project and produce one piece of artwork every day for the entire month (this year is OCTOBER 2023). The 31 resulting pieces should create a narrative outlining each creator’s journey throughout the month.
Delaware Fun-A-Day is not a formal organization or a non-profit. We are just a group of volunteers who were inspired to bring this event, which originated in Philly with the Artclash Collective, to Delaware and we are now in our 12th year!
How much does it cost?
Delaware Fun-A-Day is a free to participate in! We are a donation-driven exhibit and this means that all of the expenses are paid by donations from volunteer organizers, supporters, and participants. This is where we can really, really use your help. Donations are used in a variety of ways both for this year and future years to come and help us to rent a large, accessible space, pay for hanging materials and web hosting, pay for marketing materials like postcards, and enable us to keep Fun-A-Day free for the community, pay for boosting through paid ads on Social Media, pay for merchandise like t-shirts and totes bags (the profit from which goes towards funding next year), and pay for website and technical maintenance. If everyone who participates makes a donation, the entire event can be fully funded for the year. As organizers we do not retain any of the money donated for ourselves, 100% of the money is used for this year’s event or next year’s event. Do NOT feel obligated to donate if it is not within your means to do so. We will always be transparent about our funding, and we do not expect donations but they do go a long way.
When does the Exhibit Open and how long is it On-View?
The MAIN EVENT, when you are making things, starts October 1, 2023 and runs through October 31, 2023! The BIG SHOW is at The Courtyard by Marriott (University of Delaware Campus) in Newark, DE and the Opening Reception is Friday, November 17, 2023 from 4-9pm. The Exhibit then runs thru Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 9am-6pm.
Who is invited to participate?
Creative persons of all ages, skill sets, and levels of experience are invited to participate in this event. Delaware Fun-A-Day is (no surprise) focused on serving the Delaware community, but anyone anywhere can participate! For example, we have a really strong group of Cecil County artists each year. You do NOT have to be a Delaware resident to participate in Delaware Fun-A-Day. As long as you register on time and submit your work to us on time - then you’re in!
What are the size restrictions and how should I prepare for the show?
2D Work must be no bigger than 4”x4” or 4”x6” per piece. Think Small! All work needs to be submitted ready to hang, with hanging materials. We STRONGLY recommend mounting all art pieces onto a single hanging apparatus (poster board, cork board, canvas, etc). The style of hanging is encouraged to be with painters tape, magnets, or thumbtacks at the edges. Please refer to photos of past exhibitions. If work is framed or mounted the frame and/ or mount must not exceed our size restrictions [i.e. if each piece is framed, the frame may not exceed 4"x6" or 4"x4". If all pieces are mounted onto one display piece, the entire display piece cannot exceed 24" x 24" size restrictions]. In other words, please do not put padding in between the pieces of art when putting on a backing unless you have taken that into account beforehand. Title cards will be provided by DEFAD.
Hanging preferences should be included on the PICK UP / DROP OFF FORM (or discussed with the Fun-A-Day organizers, if there are questions).
Please note that due to space limitations we do our best to display as asked, but may not be able to accommodate preferences. 3D work should be small and fit on a 2'x2' table. 3D and A/V projects should be in communication with DEFAD regarding their 1/2 table (2'x2' space) and set-up.
Regarding Digital Media, Written Works, Musical Works, and Performances…
Digital media, written works, musical works, and performances ARE welcome and encouraged! For digital artists we have electric outlets to hook into and can display your work digitally via projector or TV monitor. For written works such as poems or passages, you can print them and mount them together or put them in a book of some kind for display. Poets - want to read your works aloud for attendees? Reach out to us, we can possibly setup a space for you to do a live reading. Musicians, if you would like to perform your pieces please coordinate with us a time to play. Performers! There is a central area and there are safe spaces in which you can perform for other attendees, we would just need to coordinate a showtime for you prior to the show to ensure your safety and those around you.
I don't know what to do as my theme. What should I do?
Themes are not required, but are very helpful. Past participants have done everything from a painting of a dog a day, a photo of a place they love a day, a poem about something that irks them a day, an embroidery of a leaf a day, a jingle a day, a drawing of a celebrity a day, a collage a day, an origami flower a day, a dance a pay, writing music everyday, singing a song each day, a video blog a day, 3D model a day... look at our previous events to get some ideas. You can literally do ANYTHING as long as you’re having fun every day and are able to showcase your project. You'll be doing something every day, so aim high, but be reasonable with the time you have!
Why should I participate?
So glad you asked! Ready for a Top 10 countdown? OK!
Your work! In a showcase! AN AMAZING ART SHOW WITH THOUSANDS OF CREATIONS!
Want to sell your artwork, too? No problem. You receive 100% of anything you sell – we take no commissions as all sales are handled privately by you after the show ends.
It’s free to participate!
It’s inclusive. On every level. We mean it.
The sense of accomplishment you will feel at the end will be CRAZY! Whether it’s the thrill of FINALLY being done or the of excitement of wrapping up potentially 31 totally awesome days of creativity.
Say goodbye to procrastination and hello to completion! You can’t just say you’re going to work on your portrait series / new art shop listings / photo portfolio / short story later… You’ve got a deadline!
It helps break you out of a creative funk or dry spell.
It gets you through the suck. Real talk: sometimes perfection can be a total productivity buster. By having a limited amount of time to work, you’re forced to accept things as they are – which is totally cool!
Challenge yourself. Thinking creatively is probably easy peas for you. Making new art in 2023 – probably not much of a challenge. Doing a task for 31 days in a row isn’t totally impossible, either. But doing both at once? That's something.
You will become part of a community. You may think we’re cheese ballin’ but you will get to meet so many new and talented artists that will keep you inspired the other 334 days of the year! Follow, Share, Inspire one another!!
How do I get my work to the organizers for the show?
On the Registration page we have posted exactly how you can submit your work this year. Please contact the Fun-A-Day organizers if you have specific questions about how to submit. We’re human too and if you have some ideas for us to consider - PLEASE reach out to us <3
How can I keep up with goings on?
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