Art Exhibit: Odessa High School Advanced Placement Art and Design Showcase

The Historic Odessa Foundation presents an exhibition of imaginative artworks by Odessa High School’s AP Art Studio students, led by teacher Brianna Shetzler. This showcase highlights their eight-month independent exploration of two-dimensional mediums, techniques, and concepts, featuring finished works and sketchbook inquiries. Odessa High School, part of the Appoquinimink School District, opened in 2020 and is located just two miles from the museum complex. The exhibition runs from April 1 to April 27, with free admission during Historic Odessa Foundation museum hours.

Saturdays at the Hearth: Ready for Spring

Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Step into the Collins-Sharp House and journey back to the 18th century as Historic Odessa’s costumed interpreters bring colonial cooking to life. Experience the sights, sounds, and mouthwatering aromas of dishes prepared over an open fire, using authentic tools, time-honored recipes, and traditional techniques from colonial Odessa. This season, spring-inspired fare is featured, showcasing the flavors of the past. This immersive culinary experience is included with general admission—don’t miss the chance to taste history in action.

Historic Odessa Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.

Join in for a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt at the Corbit-Sharp House Garden in Historic Odessa on Sunday, April 13. Designed for toddlers through 5th graders, the event features designated egg hunt areas by age group, followed by take-home crafts. Space is limited, and reservations are required—call (302) 378-4119 to sign up by Friday, April 11, at 4 p.m. The egg hunt schedule is as follows: Preschool at 2 p.m., Kindergarten/1st Grade at 2:15 p.m., 2nd/3rd Grade at 2:45 p.m., and 4th/5th Grade at 3 p.m. Make it a day! Enjoy a delicious Sunday Brunch at Cantwell’s Tavern before the hunt. 

Two Lights for Tomorrow – DE250 Commemoration

Friday, April 18,  7:30 p.m. to Saturday, April 19, 10:30 a.m.

Join the Historic Odessa Foundation in celebrating DE250 and honoring Paul Revere’s midnight ride by lighting two lanterns in the Historic Odessa Foundation Visitor Center windows on Friday, April 18—a symbol of unity and hope for the future. Then, on Saturday, April 19 (10 a.m.) there is a community service event at the Collins-Sharp House kitchen garden. Be part of this national initiative by placing two lights in your window and participating in a community service day. Volunteers will help clean and prepare the historic kitchen garden for seasonal planting. To volunteer, call 302-378-4119. Learn more at www. delaware250.org, or email [email protected].

Becoming One: Spirit, Nature, and Form – Artwork by Deborah Johnson

Tuesday, April 29 to Sunday, June 29

Experience the captivating work of Magnolia, Delaware artist Deborah Johnson, on display at the Historic Odessa Foundation April 29 through June 29. This exhibition showcases glass works, tapestries, paintings, Shibori-dyed silks, and embroideries from her Falling Leaf Studio, exploring the hidden patterns that connect us to nature and the divine. Johnson’s art weaves together fractals, sacred geometry, and organic forms, using intricate techniques to blur the boundaries between self and creation. From ethereal glass drawings to richly woven tapestries and vibrant silk dyes, her work celebrates the harmony of nature’s patterns. Free Public Reception: Meet the artist on Thursday, May 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Historic Odessa Foundation Visitor Center. Plan your visit this early summer and immerse yourself in this extraordinary exhibition.

Historic Odessa Foundation celebrates Juneteenth

Thursday, June 19, noon to 2 p.m.

Tours of Historic Odessa’s National Park Service Network to Freedom site and exhibit “Freedom Seekers: the Odessa Story” will be offered free of charge—reservations are required, for the observance of Juneteenth. Dating back to 1865, a full two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, it was June 19 when the Union Army landed in Galveston, Texas and spread the news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. In celebration of America’s newest national holiday, tour the Historic Odessa Foundation’s National Park Service Network to Freedom exhibit: “Freedom Seekers: the Odessa Story” and afterwards have your silhouette cut in a method typical at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Discover how the camera obscura was used to create profile likenesses for posterity. Silhouettes have been made in all forms of art across all cultures, times, and places. Have your likeness preserved in a restored art form that predates the selfie.

Tours will leave from the Visitors Center at noon and 2 p.m. Advanced reservations are required by Tuesday, June 17. Please contact Jennifer at 302-378-4119 or [email protected].

Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library’s 12th Annual MayFest in Odessa

Saturday May 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library will host its annual MayFest in Odessa on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a free, family-friendly event featuring local crafters, vendors, live entertainment, and more. The festival, held on the first Saturday of May each year, draws about 4,000 attendees and includes games, inflatables, a petting zoo, train rides, costumed characters, and a massive book sale sponsored by the Library Friends group. A raffle with exciting prizes will also take place, with proceeds benefiting the library’s Summer Reading Program and year-round events. MayFest runs throughout the day, and visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, follow #CCMLMayFest2025 on social media.