The Mezzanine Gallery presents Tanya Bracey’s “Community”

New works explore “people capacity” through figure-centered paintings that honor the roles we play in building and sustaining community.

Wilmington, Del. (March 3, 2026) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present Community, a solo exhibition of new work by Tanya Bracey, on view March 6–27, 2026. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 6, 5:00–7:00 p.m., in the Mezzanine Gallery, located in the Carvel State Office Building at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.

In Community, Bracey’s figurative paintings explore “people capacity” – the strength, grace, and innate potential that emerges when individuals come together to support one another and create change. Each work is titled for a real or historical role in society, reflecting the many ways communities are shaped through the contributions of people who uplift others.

Bracey describes the series as an invitation to see ourselves, and each other, more clearly. “My artwork is a reflection of the people, their culture, and what matters to me,” she writes. “My work allows the viewer to step into the character and arrive at the new view of seeing themselves.” Throughout the exhibition, Bracey’s interest in mental and spiritual wellness underscores the belief that art can spark self-awareness, build empathy, and reveal how our paths connect.

Tanya Bracey’s path to the studio began with the simple joy of watching her father draw – an early spark that grew into a lifelong practice. After rediscovering her artistic drive in the 1990s, she pursued formal training at the Delaware College of Art and Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She describes her style as “classical realism with a Fauvist kick,” blending traditional technique with bold, expressive color.

Bracey’s figure-centered work has reached audiences through exhibitions and community-based arts spaces, shaped by a multifaceted background that includes teaching art to at-risk youth and a career in healthcare.

The Mezzanine Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

About the Mezzanine Gallery

The Mezzanine Gallery, located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building (820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE), is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gallery highlights the work of Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellows, showcasing a diverse range of artistic talent throughout the year. For more information, visit https://arts.delaware.gov/mezzanine-gallery.

Images in the banner:  “The Gardner” (2025), acrylics on canvas, 36×24. 

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.