By Mike Finney

DOVER — The Dover Art League would seem to have a little advantage when it comes to developing creative window displays.

The fledgling league certainly used its artistic abilities earlier this month, as the Downtown Dover Partnership announced that it was selected as the most outstanding window for the partnership’s spring merchant window display contest.

Judges from the city of Dover, including Yvonne Martine, administrative assistant to the city manager’s office, and Rachel Engle, administrative assistant to the mayor, viewed 13 windows decorated in the theme of “Everything’s in Bloom!”

The competition was launched as part of First Friday festivities May 7.

“After a nice walk and some tough decisions, we decided on the Dover Art League to be the winner,” Ms. Engle said. “We felt that the Dover Art League best encompassed the theme of ‘Everything’s in Bloom!’”

Ms. Martine agreed that the league’s display stood out from the competition.

“We especially liked the creativity presented in the window display, from the tiny birds to the flowers, original artwork, and the paintbrush/paint traveling through the display,” she said. “Dover Art League stuck to the theme of their store but expanded it to fit the theme through a well-thought-out, one-of-a-kind display.”

The Dover Art League has initiated a reemergence in the community, and its staff were very excited to be acknowledged for the win.

Ginny Jewell, president of the league’s board of directors, said, “We look forward to connecting with the community on First Fridays and other events in the coming months.”
Window themes are selected by the DDP Merchant Committee and change five times throughout the year.

The purpose of the window contest is multifaceted: to beautify the business district, to make strolling the area more enjoyable, to invite shoppers into stores and to have the most beautiful downtown store windows in the region.

Merchants are encouraged to light their windows with efficient LED bulbs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Awarded merchants receive $100 and a trophy that travels from winning store to winning store.

If your workplace or group would like to be considered as judges for the contest, call 678-2940 or contact diane@downtowndoverpartnership.com.