MILFORD, Del. - On Monday, The Delaware Tourism Office launched the Delaware Discoveries Trail, a statewide interactive street art trail. The project aims to increase tourism in the area, which is essential to Delaware's economy.
There are nine street art pieces located across the state, that encompass the culture of a specific area in Delaware.
One of the nine masterpieces is located at Mispillion River Brewing in Milford, which the artist Michael Johnson, says is known for beer, breweries, and the Mispillion River.
"I was trying to combine all those three things into one thing so you're paddle boarding on a giant beer flow going right by the river," said Johnson. Johnson told WRDE he began painting at the end of August, and the mural only took him five days to complete.
The nine locations are Big Chill Beach Club, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, DE Turf , Delaware Art Museum, Hagley Museum and Library, Mispillion River Brewing Company, Riverfront Wilmington, and Town of Wyoming.
"We wanted to find an idea that could attract a younger demographic to the state. And number two, we believe travel is a transformative experience but also brings joy into peoples lives and we wanted to create something colorful across the state that could do both things," said Liz Keller, Delaware Tourism Director.
The Developing Artist Collaboration joined forces with the Tourism Office. "We've felt the respect from the state and the Delaware Tourism Office who entrusted us to help them fulfill the goal of creating these photogenic locations across the state," said Tom Little, President of the Developing Artist Collaboration.
The Collaboration also gives local artists, like Johnson, an opportunity to showcase their work.
"I was one of the first people they thought of to help with the project along with a couple of the other artists that help out here ... I jumped right on it because I was excited about it," said Johnson.
The Tourism Office said in a release "not only does the trail provide people the chance to be part of this art but also to make their own." If you visit four of the nine locations, take a photo in front of each artwork, and upload it to https://www.delawarediscoveries.com. The Tourism Office will then send you a prize, which is a paint pour kit created by the Developing Artists Collaboration.
"The Delaware Discoveries Trail is important because it is unique. It's never before seen art, you can only do it in Delaware," said Keller.
The attractions are all outdoors, so visitors can properly social distance.
