Eric Zippe has spent many hours and traveled many miles honing his talents as a visual artist specializing in fine art and commercial photography.

He was born into a farm family in southern New Castle County, near Clayton, Delaware. In his early years he spent much of his time working on the farm and involved with various 4-H projects. Eric earned a BFA in Fine Arts from the University of Delaware, where he studied under photographers John Weiss, Priscilla Smith and Peter Croydon. He has developed his own style and vision while learning from such notable photographers as Jay Maisel, Robert Llewellyn, & Arthur Meyerson.

His photo career can be described as eclectic, as he has worked in such photographic
fields as wildlife and travel photography, portraiture, commercial and sports photography,
photojournalism, and digital photo retouching. Eric’s client list includes Fila shoes, Budweiser
and Mercedes Benz. His work has been published and exhibited to great acclaim both nationally and internationally and he is a multiple award winning artist.

When asked what his favorite thing about photography is, he just smiles and says, “The reaction the viewer has to my images.”

Eric has been an adjunct faculty member at Cecil College in North East, Maryland and Delaware Technical Community College in Dover, Delaware. He has taught a range of subjects including; digital imaging, studio photography, nature and wildlife and travel photography.

Many of his students have gone on to be award winning artists themselves.

Visit Eric's website:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EricZippeImagemaker

The first Brandywine Arts Festival was held 1961 and was organized by the nonprofit organization Recreation Promotion and Service, led by “Big George” Sargisson and a cadre of volunteers. In the early days, it was a one-day event and with two-dimensional art and a bull roast. Participating artists hung paintings on clothesline and snow fence. Over the years, the bull roast was dropped, fine craft items were added, and artists began to use racks and canopies to display their work.

Over the years, the Brandywine Arts Festival increased in popularity locally and regionally. Visitors came from many surrounding areas and participants from as far as California. Many years boasted participants from more than thirty states.

After a hiatus, the festival changed management and name. The new Brandywine Festival of the Arts is under the management of Barry Schlecker. Keeping the original spirit of the art fair, Barry added live music, local food vendors, and children’s activities. While it has evolved over the years, Brandywine Festival of the Arts still remains in Brandywine Park, its original location, and continues to take place annually on the weekend after Labor Day, which Brandywiners have come to expect and anticipate after 50 years.

Join us on September 7th and 8th for a 2-day end of summer bash featuring over 200 artists of all mediums, live music by a wide-range of talented musicians, and good eats and sweets from our locally known food vendors. There will be kids activities, yoga each morning in the Music Meadow, a pet adoption area sponsored by the Delaware Humane Association, and many of our artists will be working on pieces during the festival so you can witness art in real time.

The Brandywine Zoo is also featuring $1 admission during the festival, so make plans to stop in and see some fancy four-legged friends and creative creatures at your local zoo.

Parking is available at Baynard Stadium and Salesianum School. Visit www.brandywinearts.com for directions and contact info! 

We encourage you to bring the family, including your friendly 4-legged friends, to enjoy the day or weekend in Brandywine Park. Love taking pictures and sharing on social media? Use the hashtag #BrandywineFestivalOfTheArts2019 or #BFADE2019 and share your favorite pics of artists, art, music, and more. ENJOY!