A private gallery with must-see charms

The art scene along the Delaware beaches is eclectic and rich. Whether you are looking for home décor acquisitions, creative inspiration, or simple art appreciation, you can choose from a variety of museum exhibitions, art galleries, crafty stores and major art shows to satisfy your curiosity.

The Next Chapter, a small home gallery in Lewes, holds an array of art pieces lovingly curated to reflect the specific sentiments and aesthetics of its owner, Catherine Lombardozzi. Located a bit away from the commercial lights of Coastal Highway, this small exhibit (and living space) displays a few gems that are worth going off the beaten path to see. (Just in case the proximity to Cape Henlopen and Rehoboth Beach isn’t enough of a draw.)

Just inside the entryway, the first artwork you see is reflective of the owner’s love of family, with an array of formal black-and-white and sepia-toned family photographs mostly from the 60s and 70s. The family had annual portraits taken by the Olan Mills Studios back in the day (Catherine remembers the photographer coming to the house and the growing family being seated on mom’s cedar chest), and these are artfully arranged in collage frames over the hall bookcases (which shelve the owner’s collection of fantasy series and other pleasure-reading books). A set of magnetic panels displays a rotating parade of mementos from recent visitors along with newer candid family photographs. This sets an inviting entrance for the condo’s other themed rooms.

The guest room and bath hold the condo’s beach-themed pieces. These rooms reflect the “condo at the beach” vibe and requisite beach blue color scheme. (Generally, Catherine is opposed to decorating in blue, but gives in to the geographical necessity here.) Two blue-and-sand colored metal panels by Copper Art depict shells on the beach, and the gull wall sculpture in the bath continues the theme. The bath also contains a wooden poster of punny coastal advice (seas life’s beauty!). A blue pinboard next to the guest room window is used to highlight potential outings and events for each guest (changed to reflect the guests’ tastes and available entertainment). Other décor pieces in the room pull the theme together.

The back hallway between the two bedrooms holds several meditative pieces. A wall-hung green ceramic finger labyrinth framed with the words to a T.S. Eliot poem (“We shall not cease from exploration – And the end of all our exploring – Will be to arrive where we started – And know the place for the first time”); a cross formed by fragments of scripture, prayers, and hymns; and a copy of Monet’s introspective A Woman Reading. These quiet encouragements effectively bridge into the main bedroom’s more personal collection.

In there, the surrounding walls are meant to be inspirational and aspirational. Items in this space include a soothing enlarged Cape Cod sunrise photograph (a “breathe the sea air”  waves-breaking-on-the-beach composition by Tom Ruddeforth); quirky folk-art reminders to live life to the fullest (a metal angel (“embrace the journey”) and waxed decoupage of a girl on the beach (“find joy”)); and a formal triptych of “thinking spot” photos paired with favorite sayings which are the only owner-created art works on display. Installed over the dresser, these pieces are daily reminders of commitments to making a difference with family and friends, to learning, and to seeking divine wisdom.

The en suite evokes a girly image as it is dressed up with two close-in flower portraits awash in green, pink, and yellow. One is a playful photo-on-canvas piece focused on a pair of light pink daisies by Paul Grecian and the other a matted and framed photograph of a gorgeous magenta and yellow peony bud (“Bloom”) by Maria Georgo.

Back out in the main room, the owner’s expansive collection of owls (and books) are immediately eye-catching in the writing loft and library/dining area. Beginning in 2003, the owner has collected owl tchotchkes – figurines (in a variety of materials), small plates, framed cards and art pieces, tiles, stuffed owls, and more – including (for example) an original Maria Georgo painting (“Iggy”), a large colorful canvas panel (“Agnes”), a regal bronze statue (“Minerva”), the golden cloisonné that started the collection (“Professor”), and the tiniest pewter netsuke (“Charmer”).

The 85+ owls are artfully arranged on the desk, wall shelves, and bookshelves (among the extensive library of non-fiction books), individually unobtrusive, but collectively quite the colorful parliament. All the owls have names “because they each have personality, and it amuses the nieces and nephews.” (But a cheat-sheet is sometimes used to recall them all.) The owls signify wisdom and insight – they’re intelligent, sharp, and watchful – all inspirational qualities that suggest it might be incentivizing to surround a writing and working space with them.

Introducing Iggy (original portrait), Minerva, Professor, Charmer, and Buddy – who photobombed (clockwise from top). And above: Agnes presides over the entire parliament in the loft/library/dining space.

The pride of place on the opposite side of the main room is reserved for two very special pieces. “the next chapter” black iron wall sculpture by dizywallart is the only commissioned piece in the collection. Catherine wanted to name the condo in the same way people name their beach sanctuaries and boats, and “the next chapter” seemed an appropriate choice. The condo sign, then, is a stylized line drawing of an open book (made of iron) above warmly rounded script proudly declaring the condo’s name.

The centerpiece on the living room wall is a large almost monochromatic painting of a dwarfed empty brown rowboat floating on calm waters under summer-cloudy skies. It’s arresting without being obtrusive and fits perfectly in the sunny room. The artist, Rachael Newman, named the piece “Patience” (this version is a giclee copy, #1/250), but the owner privately calls the painting “Serenity.” “Patience implies that you’re waiting for someone or something else to come through for you, while serenity is a personal inner state that I came to the beach to actively cultivate,” says the owner/curator. “Serenity” sets the tone in the condo with a quiet, dramatic statement.

The Next Chapter gallery is indeed a serene home base for the owner’s self-proclaimed writer-beach-walker lifestyle.

When you come to visit, take the time to study the collection – you’ll find your own hidden messages in the individual pieces and themes. And do take the time to visit – the photos in this catalog may help you to visualize the collection, but don’t do the original pieces justice. (Couldn’t eliminate reflection!) Hours are flexible; call to reserve the guest room for a short stay and complimentary tour!

Art and décor can tell you a lot about a person – their taste, activities, and history. Between items deliberately selected and those gifted by family and friends (thank you!), you glean a big picture impression. The Next Chapter’s casual but cultured art collection is certainly reflective of curator Catherine Lombardozzi, intended to bolster creativity, induce reflection, and provide respite.

*Personal note: I recently read a terrific writer’s craft guide by poet Maggie Smith (Dear Writer) which introduced me to the concept of a “hermit crab essay.” Like the crab, the hermit essay takes on the shell of something else. So instead of a straightforward tour of the meaningful art in my condo, this blog post was written as a gallery review – my own little experiment in writing a hermit crab essay. I hope you enjoyed it.