Organization Profile
The Art Society at Loblolly Acres
https://www.artsocietyatloblolly.org
The Art Society at Loblolly Acres is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a grand vision to serve and inspire Delaware. Created in 2022 and nestled in the heart of Delaware, The Art Society is Central Delaware’s home for nature, community and the arts. Situated on a 160 acre family owned farm framed by tall Loblolly pines, is a space that welcomes all artists to create, share and transport the community.
In our first year, we brought out Mike Hines and the Look, Love Seed Mama Jump, The First State Ballet Theatre and The Chesapeake Brass Band out to the farm to delight many. We hosted more intimate events such as our Dinner Theater with Ovation and a Farm to Table Dinner earlier this year. Each Sunday in October, we brought in two local bands to perform at Loblolly's Pumpkin Patch Sunday festivals as well as local artisans to shop and pumpkins to pick.
The Story of Loblolly Acres
Coming from humble beginnings in 1964, with a dream of a Christmas tree farm bringing joy to families during the holidays. Barbara Ann Warren had a dream that she built from the dirt up. She hand planted the Chiristmas trees at Loblolly Acres, craftly worked with local vendors to curate the quaint Christmas shop of her dreams, and from there she expanded. In 2001, she was lost unexpectedly in a car accident
This brought in the next generation, Cheryl Epps, daughter of Barbara, developed, with her love of the holidays and experience and passion for education. From here, Loblolly became the top school tour destination in the fall and christmas with thousands of Delaware students learning through fun and interactive experiences of the life of a farm. With the shut down of the states, Cheryl, at Loblolly Acres, along with her significant other, Clem began building the venue of her dreams. Then, she brought in the next generation to help with transformation of the family farm.
To create something big, evolution of a family business over time breeds multigenerational passions to become actualized. Angela Zielen Epps, Cheryl’s daughter-in-law and professional ballet dancer with First State Ballet Theatre, had dreams of bringing the arts and performances to Kent County. In 2022, she created a 501 (c)3 non profit to The Art Society at Loblolly Acres to follow her dreams of bringing the arts to Central Delaware. Joining them is Cheryl’s daughter, Dr. Megan Epps, who is a local chiropractor and host of the 302 Podcast (recorded at Loblolly!) with a passion for serving the Delmarva community to bring to light the full evolution of Loblolly Acres, from Christmas Tree farm, to the go to event destination and wedding venue in Delaware.
From humble roots to the actualization of it’s full potential, Loblolly Acres has revamped and has evolved into a place with a large vision to serve Delaware. Concerts of various sizes can finally be brought to Kent County, and community arts, performances, and events can be hosted for Central Delaware to thrive.
