Honoring a Community Through Art
West Rehoboth Legacy Initiative
Preserving the history, culture, and creative spirit of West Rehoboth through storytelling, art, and community partnerships.
When DAC first moved into West Rehoboth in 2016, we didn't know much about the history of the community we were joining. As we listened and learned, we discovered a rich and largely untold story.
West Rehoboth was once a thriving, close-knit African American community filled with family-owned businesses, restaurants, shops, gathering spaces, and jazz clubs. Yet many people who visit Rehoboth Beach today have never heard these stories.
And that's exactly why this work exists.
Because if communities don't tell their stories, they can be forgotten.
As part of our commitment to honoring and preserving the history of West Rehoboth, we work alongside residents, historians, artists, and community leaders we:
Host the West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration, a community-wide event that celebrates the people, stories, and culture that continue to shape this neighborhood.
Commissioned the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural to honor the rich history of the community.
West Rehoboth is one of the region’s historic Black communities, built by generations of families whose stories, traditions, and culture shaped the character of this place long before it became a destination.
As the neighborhood continues to grow and change, the West Rehoboth Legacy Initiative exists to ensure those stories are not lost.
Through public art, cultural programming, artist opportunities, and community partnerships, the Developing Artist Collaboration works alongside residents and organizations like West Side New Beginnings to celebrate and preserve the history of the community we call home.
This work comes to life through initiatives such as the West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration, the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural, special artist exhibitions, and opportunities for Black artists and vendors to share their work and stories with the broader public.
By connecting art, storytelling, and history, we aim to create experiences that honor the legacy of West Rehoboth while supporting the community’s creative and economic future.
Because preserving history isn’t only about remembering the past — it’s about ensuring the culture, voices, and identity of a place continue to thrive for generations to come.
Join us for our 2026 West Rehoboth Juneteenth event, Friday June 19, 2026!
Preserving the Stories of West Rehoboth
Thank you to our 2026
Juneteenth Event Sponsors
2026 West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration
The 2026 West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration honors the history, culture, and future of West Rehoboth through art, storytelling, music, and community gathering. Taking place Friday, June 19th from 5–9PM, the event spans Central Street, the West Side Creative Market, DAC Artpothecary, and the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural.
The celebration features 15 Black Delaware artists and handmade businesses, oral histories from West Rehoboth families, mural tours led by Terrance and Antoine Vann, the ringing of the bell at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, food trucks, live entertainment, and The Colors of You, an exhibition by Kreator Mills.
Special guest Alexs D. Pate, author of West of Rehoboth, will host a live reading and Q&A at 6:30PM at the Creative Market.
Food By: Sarcastic Chef, Chakra's Cafe Veggie Cuisine, & Aunt Mary’s Soul Kitchen food truck
Featured Entertainment
West Side Creative Market
5:00 PM – DJ TDF
5:30 PM – Wezo
6:30 PM – Alexs D. Pate Reading & Q&A
7:30 PM – Elijah & The Band
8:30 PM – DJ TDF
DAC Artpothecary
5:00 PM – DJ Elegal
5:30 PM – Pauly Dinero
6:00 PM – Rose.Gotit
7:00 PM – DJ ELL
7:30 PM – Gold 97
8:00 PM – 40Karat
Free Entry • Free Parking • Rain or Shine
Learn more at developingarts.org/westrehoboth
2026 West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration
Artist & Handmade Business Line-Up
Good Grief Cookie Creations
WhimZ
Handmade By Teresa / Knotty Bro
Millionaires By 25
Bay Hill Vintage
Brown Sugar Daddy
Kreators Mill
@mfjimm
Kreators Mill Tattoo and Art Lounge
Bugsy Optics LLC
Tina's Timeless Threads
Warm Earth Studies
PJs Arts and Crafts
The Craft Room By CMW Designs
Our West Rehoboth Legacy Projects
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West Rehoboth Legacy Mural by Artist Terrance Vann
The West Rehoboth Legacy Mural celebrates and preserves the rich history of West Rehoboth, one of the region’s historic Black communities. Created in collaboration with community members, the mural honors generations of families whose stories shaped the neighborhood while helping foster pride, visibility, and cultural awareness.
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West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration
The West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration brings the community together for a multi-day, powerful event series for reflection, joy, and cultural celebration in the heart of historic West Rehoboth. Through art, storytelling, music, and local vendors, the event honors Juneteenth and celebrates the community's legacy, resilience, and cultural contributions.
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Partnering with West Side New Beginnings Inc.
The Developing Artist Collaboration works in partnership with West Side New Beginnings, a long-standing community organization serving West Rehoboth. Through this collaboration, DAC supports community initiatives, cultural programming, and efforts that uplift the families who continue to shape the neighborhood today.
Discover the Story of West Rehoboth
Below is the infographic highlighting the powerful and often untold history of West Rehoboth’s Black, Brown, and African American community. While you can view it here, we encourage you to experience it in person — where it was meant to be seen.
Visit the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural, located next to DAC’s headquarters at:
37401 Malloy Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
The mural and infographic together tell a story of resilience, culture, and legacy.
Want to take a piece of history with you?
Download the infographic and explore the roots of this remarkable community.
Meet Our West Rehoboth Partners
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Terrance Vann - Mural Artist
Terrance is an award winning muralist , designer and fine artist who is born and raised in Delaware with rich family history in West Reboboth. His paintings have inspired many and his murals have become landmarks and gathering spots to celebrate creativity. Terrance has since taken time away as artist and moved upstate Ny, to raise his family of 2 daughters.
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Antoine Vann - Project Historian
February 21, 2020, Antoine Vann and Terrance Vann displayed photographs, artwork and documentation at the Rehoboth Beach Museum with detailed history of records they found about the history of West Rehoboth. Given Antoine's dedication and ability to collect historical information about the community he was chosen at the Historian for the collection of information for the mural project.
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Brenda Milbourne - President WSNB, Inc.
Brenda Millbourne is a trusted leader and key partner in DAC’s relationship with the historic West Rehoboth community. Brenda has continued to guide DAC in building meaningful connections and culturally responsive programs. Brenda’s leadership and deep ties in the community make her an essential voice in our work to honor local history, uplift artists, and build with intention.
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Leah Beach - Founder DAC
The idea for the mural began after Leah attended an exhibition at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, hosted by Terrance Vann and Antoine Vann which explored their family’s deep roots in the West Rehoboth community. Inspired by their story, Leah worked to bring the vision to life — starting with a blank wall and a big purpose. Leah continues to lead fundraising, project coordination, and partner collaboration to ensure this meaningful work carries forward for generations to come.
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Wharton’s Garden Center & Landscaping
Since 2021, Wharton’s has generously supported the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural by donating professional landscaping services, mulch, and plants that bring the mural site to life. Kathy and James Wharton, along with their dedicated team, have poured their time, talent, and resources into this project. Their generosity and hard work have been instrumental in transforming the space — and the mural wouldn’t be as powerful or beautiful without them.
In Loving Memory of Diaz Bonville
Diaz Bonville was a pillar of the West Rehoboth community — a lifelong advocate, mentor, and leader whose impact continues to resonate through the Legacy Mural project and beyond. As President of West Side New Beginnings, Diaz was deeply committed to preserving the history and uplifting the future of West Rehoboth.
From the earliest conversations to the final brushstrokes, Diaz played a vital role in bringing the mural to life. His leadership, vision, and dedication helped ensure the project was rooted in authenticity, respect, and community voice. He served as a trusted liaison, guiding DAC with grace and determination every step of the way.
Diaz dedicated his life to service — in education, civil rights, youth development, and community empowerment. His work earned recognition at every level, but his greatest impact was felt in the lives he touched and the legacy he leaves behind. The West Rehoboth Legacy Mural stands not only as a tribute to a community’s past — but as a reflection of Diaz’s lifelong mission to build a more connected, compassionate future.
We are proud of this work.
So why is an arts organization doing this?
Because West Rehoboth is where we have chosen to build a home for our organization and our programs. If we are going to grow here, we believe it is our responsibility to honor the history of the community that came before us.
West Rehoboth was once home to thriving Black-owned businesses and families whose roots shaped the culture and identity of this neighborhood. As development continues and the community changes, we want to help ensure those stories and contributions are not forgotten.
Through initiatives like the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural, the Juneteenth Celebration, and opportunities for Black artists and businesses to participate in our Creative Market, we are working to create space that honors this history while uplifting the voices that helped shape it.
This work is about respect, visibility, and remembrance. As West Rehoboth evolves, we want to help ensure that the history and cultural legacy of the community remain visible for generations to come.
