June Rose Futcher

June Rose Futcher is a native artist of Delaware and was educated in a progressive arts education program in Cape Henlopen School District, graduating from Cape Henlopen HS with excllence in arts & crafts.  Over many years she had a dream of pursuing professional arts and when the opportunity to study communications and photography at Delaware Technical & Community College, she took the challenge as an older adult (having overcome personal obstacles) and excelled in photography and visual presentation. Studying under a master photographer, fine arts instructor and media professionals, she was encouraged to observe and study maritime, competitive sailing and weather systems. Upon graduation she was won honorable mention in the student exhibit, went on to study advanced principles in photography. Earning high grades, and much praise, Futcher knew she could pursue professional photographic endeavours. With that inspiration, many community awards, professional publishing and charitable sponsorship, Futcher pursued and earned her first grant with the State of Delaware in 2013.

On the inspiration of an inaugural exhibit in her home town of Lewes, she grew an impressive portfolio of photographs entirely captivating, reflecting her life style as a competitive sailor in a family of sailors and mariners. While growing her signature maritime body of work the study of ceremonial law enforcement came into focus on a personal journey to pay tribute to her family and her fallen grand-father  serving in law enforcement in her home town and Sussex County, Delaware. While pursuing expanded opportunities, earning jury selections, and achieving professional  opportunities with regional and state publications, Futcher grew into an activist in the arts at the state and federal levels as a member of Delaware Arts Alliance.

Always seeking to grow and build professional networks in state and regional arts programs, Futcher was invited to explore a residency opportunity in basic photographic arts with at-risk youth. The moment was a transformative time and offered Futcher a truly dynamic outlet to share a dynamic creative process with young artists in community and public school arts programs. Meeting the invitation with enthusiasm and tremendous community support, she made quick creative work to conceptualize and produce basic skill lessons in the study of urban architecture, portraiture and community law enforcement. As an original concept by Futcher,  to collaborate with community services in law enforcement, the study of law enforcement  by observation and interaction among police and at risk youth proved to be not only a creative outlet but led to a warm connection between youth and police personnel. Portraiture photographs, in a  simple studio setting among the young artists lends a creative hand in cooperation and comfortable personal expression. The magic comes from the students taking photographs of each other.  The outcome of these photographs is natural and emotive.

At the time of the global pandemic, Futcher was preparing a third photographic arts  residency aligned with Delaware arts education curriculum  on the success of a second program in Kent County, DE. Combined with the advances in this endeavor in artist residency, she has earned two  2020 Delaware Division of the Arts grants and has produced her fourth individual artist exhibit supported the Opportunity Grant. Futcher is currently developing material and concepts to resume photographic arts study with young artists from all walks of life.