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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.
Our 2024 season was a remarkable success, hosting popular events such as our Pumpkin Patch Sundays, Farm to Table Dinners, Dinner Theaters as well as local favorite artists, Love Seed Mama Jump and the First State Ballet Theater, which drew thousands of attendees. We hosted a free community event featuring OperaDelaware, more live music, and local vendors, along with twelve renowned wood-carving artists who created stunning pieces for a live auction to benefit our nonprofit. The highlight of the season was a live performance by American Idol finalist Alex Miller, marking a pivotal moment in our commitment to bringing national acts to our farm. During 2024, we proudly featured more than 50 artisans, chefs, and vendors, alongside over 60 performing artists. We were honored to be recognized as a Top Three contender for Best Event Venue and Best Wedding Venue in Delaware Stars and First State Favorites, ultimately winning First State Favorite Best Wedding Venue.
As we look to 2025, we are excited to expand our offerings even further. Our Season will open with a new event, A Concert by Candlelight event featuring First State Ballet, OperaDelaware, and the Tim Laushey Orchestra. We are excited to revive our successful and intimate live experiences throughout the year with Dan Gaffney, and our Farm to Table Dinners both featuring live music and local chefs. Our Summer Concert Series will grow to include more performances, featuring local favorites such as Love Seed Mama Jump, Mike Hines and the Look, OperaDelaware, First State Ballet Theatre, The Chesapeake Brass Band, and more. We plan to welcome back Alex Miller and Tracy Byrd. Plus, our 2025 season will debut three exciting new events: Afternoon Tea at Loblolly, an All American Family Picnic, and a Summer Solstice Circus, all designed to entertain with a variety of artists and live musicians. Lastly, we will continue to host Pumpkin Patch Sundays, our most popular event, held every Sunday in October. This event features two live bands, over ten local artisans, local food trucks, small businesses, pumpkin picking, hayride tours, and time in nature on the farm.
Achieving this vision would not be possible without the unwavering support of our community.
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.
Arts & Culture
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