Delaware Art Museum

Delaware Art Museum. Founded in 1912, the institution holds a significant collection centered on American art and illustration from the 19th to the 21st centuries, alongside a major holding of works by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Originally established as the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts to honor the illustrator Howard Pyle, it has evolved into a cornerstone of cultural life in the Brandywine Valley. The museum is renowned for its deep connections to the Brandywine School and its commitment to presenting a diverse array of visual arts through exhibitions and community programs.

History

The museum's origins trace to 1912, following the death of the celebrated illustrator and teacher Howard Pyle. His students and admirers, including figures like Frank Schoonover and Stanley Arthurs, formed the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts to create a memorial collection of his work. The institution first opened in a rented space on the tenth floor of the DuPont Building before moving to a dedicated building on Kentmere Parkway in 1938. A major expansion and transformation occurred in the early 21st century under the leadership of director Steven Bruni and architect Ann Beha, culminating in a grand reopening in 2005. This redevelopment significantly enhanced its galleries and public spaces, solidifying its role as a leading museum in the Mid-Atlantic states.

Collections

The permanent collection is anchored by two principal strengths. The first is an unparalleled collection of works by Howard Pyle and his students, known as the Brandywine School, featuring artists such as N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, and Jessie Willcox Smith. The second is the Samuel and Mary R. Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite art, one of the most extensive in the United States, including major paintings by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, and William Holman Hunt. The museum also holds a robust collection of American painting and sculpture from the 19th century to the present, with works by John Sloan, Edward Hopper, Jacob Lawrence, and Faith Ringgold, as well as a growing contemporary collection.

Architecture

The museum's campus is a blend of historical and modern architecture. The original 1938 building, a restrained Georgian Revival structure, was designed by the firm of Victorine and Samuel Homsey. The transformative 2005 expansion, designed by Ann Beha Architects of Boston, added 42,000 square feet of new space. This contemporary addition features a soaring glass atrium, new gallery wings, and the award-winning Copeland Sculpture Garden, which integrates landscape design by Oehme, van Sweden & Associates. The design creates a dialogue between the old and new, enhancing visitor flow and providing expansive natural light in the galleries dedicated to the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and modern art.

Exhibitions and programs

The museum organizes a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions that explore themes from its core collections and broader art historical narratives, such as surveys of American Impressionism or solo shows for artists like Kehinde Wiley. It hosts the prestigious Delaware Contemporary, fostering connections with living artists. Public programs are extensive, including lectures by scholars like Gretchen Hirschauer, studio art classes, family festivals, and the popular "Art on the Town" event series. The museum also maintains an active partnership with the University of Delaware and local school districts to support arts education.

Governance and funding

The museum operates as a non-profit organization under the governance of a Board of Trustees, which includes community leaders and philanthropists. It receives operational support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Major capital campaigns, such as the one for the 2005 expansion, have been supported by significant gifts from foundations like the Longwood Foundation and the Welfare Foundation, as well as prominent families such as the DuPont family. Membership programs and annual fundraisers, including the "Artful Evening" gala, provide crucial ongoing revenue for acquisitions and educational outreach.

Category:Art museums in Delaware Category:Museums established in 1912 Category:1912 establishments in Delaware