On a brisk, beautiful Autumn day I drove to Wilmington, to 7th and Jefferson Streets to support my “adopted son” on his Mural Dedication. “The Divine Mind” which as you can see is a 60 square foot masterpiece painted on the side of a multi-story house.
Terrance Vann is a local fine artist and illustrator who started sketching and drawing at a very young age. He is a graduate of the Cab Calloway School of the Arts and studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York as well as at the Art Institute in Philadelphia.
I first met Terrance when he moderated the National Entrepreneurship Week Workshops sponsored by The Money School of Delaware earlier this year.
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Not knowing at the time that he was an artist I was impressed with not only his ability to command the podium when asking each of the panelists pre-written questions; but with following up with un-rehearsed, insightful and in-depth commentaries regarding each of our businesses.
The following evening at the second Entrepreneurship Workshop he brought in one of his paintings, The Divine Mind and it was amazing. I labeled him a “Millennial in Motion” and asked if I could cover one of his events for my blog. Below are a few of the other pieces that were on display at the Art Loop in Wilmington which you can read more about HERE
Terrance sports a hairstyle which was similar to own son’s and when he told me how his mom first reacted, which was the same as my reaction, I started calling him my “adopted son”.
“The Divine Mind” Mural Dedication started a little after 2:00 pm with a welcome from Dr. Carrie Gray, Managing Director, Wilmington Renaissance Corporation followed by remarks from Terrance. If you are following me on Facebook, you can see the full live feed from the event.
There were several members of the community in attendance and because it was a bright beautiful day it made for a larger crowd. DJ Ryan Foxx played in the background and a performance from Kae Hock had the audience clapping in unity – something that we desperately need these days – UNITY
On the inside of the programs, there was a black and white version of The Divine Mind and markers were available for the young crowd to create their own masterpieces.
Closing remarks were made by Laura Semmelroth, Creative District Strategist followed by cake which made the day even sweeter.
You can find and follow Terrance on his social media platforms:
Instagram – @terranceism
Facebook – terrancevann
Website – terranceism.bigcartel.com
Stay tuned for more great things coming from this “Millennial in Motion” as I will be interviewing him on this Sunday’s Podcast – Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger on BlogTalkRadio/AAUTeenTalk
The following is the Press Release of the Event
WILMINGTON ARTIST UNVEILS 60 SQ. FT. MURAL, INSPIRES COMMUNITY
Terrance Vann completes mural inspired by his most well-known painting entitled “Divine Minds”
WILMINGTON, DE (November 17, 2016) – Terrance Vann, an up-and-coming artist well known in Wilmington, DE with growing national buzz, recently debuted his greatest work yet- a 60 square foot mural of his painting “Divine Minds.” The dedication took place on November 12, 2016 at the mural site of 7th and Jefferson Streets (Wilmington, DE).
Over 100 community members, public figures and supporters from the tristate area gathered to commemorate the monumental work standing at 34 feet tall and 33 feet wide with a 20-foot glass mosaic crown. The program included a performance by hip-hop artist Kae Hock, music by DJ Ryan Foxx and a community coloring session where community members created their own “Divine Minds” inspired work. Notable speakers included Delaware State Senator Robert Marshall, Carrie Gray of the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation’s Creative District and the Lead Artist himself.
“This is really a dream come true. I’ve been sketching and drawing my whole life, so the fact that something like this is here and will be in the city for a long time is something I only dreamed about” Vann said. “That’s what I really want this mural to be, a testament to dreams becoming a reality.” Senator Robert Marshall followed saying, “What impresses me the most is the symbolic message the mural offers us…and all the young kids that live in this neighborhood. The message is that no zip code should dictate the outcome of your future, and that every kid who lives in this neighborhood should have the opportunity to reach their best and brightest talents.”
Vann was selected by a juried panel of artists and community leaders to be Lead Artist on the project, which was the largest of a series of projects developed as part of the Creative District’s 7th Street Arts Bridge. Vann worked under the mentorship of renowned muralist Eric Okdeh of the internationally recognized Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and hopes to complete more mural projects in the future.
About Terrance Vann
Terrance Vann is a fine artist and illustrator based in Wilmington, Delaware. Terrance studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York and at the Art Institute in Philadelphia where he developed as a designer and graphic artist, in addition to being a painter and illustrator. Terrance’s first solo exhibition was in February 2015, and since then he has pursued art as his full-time career, showing and selling his work throughout the East Coast. Through various community art initiatives, Terrance works to promote a creative culture in his native city and beyond by engaging all people, especially youth, in creative expression. Terrance’s work is vividly colorful and is inspired by friends, family, love and observations of inner city life. To view Terrance’s work, visit www.terranceism.bigcartel.com.
For more information call 302-310-0587, email [email protected]. To learn more about Wilmington’s Creative District, visit www.creativedistrictwilm.com/About
