Lewes Elementary Staff Member Earns Governor’s Choice Award at State Art Exhibition

A member of the Cape Henlopen School District and Lewes Elementary community is being recognized at the state level for both artistic excellence and powerful storytelling.

Kristen Corbi, a part-time service paraprofessional at Lewes Elementary and daughter of Lewes Elementary School Counselor Kim Corbi, has been named the Sussex County recipient of the Governor’s Choice Award in the 2026 Delaware State Employees Art Exhibition. The exhibition is sponsored by the National Arts Program in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts and showcases the creative talents of state employees and their families.

Corbi’s award-winning piece, Overwhelmed, was selected by the Governor as one of the top entries in the state and recognized among the 2026 National Arts Program Award Winners. As part of the honor, her artwork is currently on display at Delaware State’s gallery before being moved to the Governor’s Office, where it will remain on exhibit for one year.

Overwhelmed is a deeply personal piece inspired by Corbi’s experiences as a deaf and hard-of-hearing student at West Chester University. Through a submerged self-portrait, the painting conveys the emotional and academic challenges she faced navigating environments not always designed for accessibility.

“Overwhelmed captures the suffocating weight of my college experience as a deaf and hard-of-hearing individual,” Corbi shared in her artist statement. “The close-up of my face, suspended underwater and holding my breath, symbolizes the constant tension of navigating classrooms and situations where understanding did not come easily or naturally.”

She continues, “The surrounding circles—bubbles rising to the surface—represent fragmented conversations, missed words, and the invisible effort it took to stay afloat academically and socially. This painting is intended to transform my internal struggles into a visual moment of suspended survival, caught between pressure and perseverance, silence and determination.”

“This recognition is a powerful reflection of Kristen’s talent, perseverance, and willingness to share her story in a way that builds understanding and empathy,” said Dr. Kimberly Corbidge, principal at Lewes Elementary. “We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our school community. Her work not only showcases artistic excellence, but also highlights the importance of inclusion and the strength found in overcoming challenges.”

The Delaware State Employees Art Exhibition provides a platform for artists of all skill levels to share their work, with entries judged annually by professionals in the visual arts. Corbi’s selection for the Governor’s Choice Award highlights not only her artistic talent but also the meaningful perspective behind her work.

Her recognition is a proud moment for the Cape Henlopen School District community, reflecting the creativity, resilience, and diverse experiences of those connected to its schools. The district congratulates Kristen on this outstanding achievement and for representing the district with such distinction!