First for December 16, 2016

Ronald McDonald Lights
For this holiday edition of First we’re going to start in New Castle County. If the holidays are about giving then the Ronald McDonald House is at the top of the list. At this time of year they also receive a lot from the community. That makes it extra special for the families who stay there.

First Experience: Celeste Kelley
Newark artist Celeste Kelley worked in fiber and silk screening, until a trip to Spain set her on a different course. She returned home and turned her artistic vision to mosaics, using bottles, ceramic pieces and glass of all kinds. First Experience shows you some of Celeste’s beautiful works of art for your garden.

First Experience: Laura Hickman
It may be cold outside, but it’s always a good time for a trip to the beach. Delaware artist Laura Hickman grew up in Bethany, during the winter months she and her sisters had the town to themselves. Laura still lives in Bethany and those childhood memories have inspired her work through the years. Starting with black, Laura brings out the light in her pastel paintings. We stopped by her studio for a look.

First Experience: Damon Pla
For our next Experience story we stay in Sussex County and visit the the Dagsboro studio of artist Damon Pla. A surrealist, Damon began his art career doing murals and landscapes. But Damon’s real passion is his surreal paintings. Imagination, light and a dose of Dali all contribute to Damon’s amazing art.

First Experience: Michael Krausz
Michael Krausz describes himself as a three legged stool with music, philosophy and art fueling his creative work. First Experience visited Michael’s Lewes, Delaware studio to get a look at his work and see how those three parts of his life come together as one.

First Experience: Yuletide
Since the 70’s Winterthur Museum has been opening its beautiful and historic mansion for holiday tours.The event is called Yuletide, and it’s a chance to take a peek at Christmas’s past, from different traditions to ways of decorating, its a beautiful holiday tradition. For our last First Experience story we took the tour ourselves and bring it to you as only First Experience can.