Delaware Art Museum facts for kids
Exterior view
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| Established | 1912 |
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| Location | 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19806, USA 302.571.9590 |
| Type | Art museum |
| Public transit access |  DART First State bus: 10 |
The Delaware Art Museum is an art museum in Wilmington, Delaware. It has a huge collection of over 12,000 art pieces. The museum started in 1912. It was first called the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts. It was created to honor the famous artist Howard Pyle.
The museum mainly shows American art and illustrations from the 1800s to today. It also has a special collection of art from the English Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood movement from the mid-1800s. The museum building was made bigger and updated in 2005. It now includes a large Sculpture Park, a library, art classes, and a special area for kids. There is also a cafe and a museum shop.
Contents
Discover the Delaware Art Museum's History
The museum began in 1912 after the death of Howard Pyle. It was first known as the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts (WSFA). Pyle was a very well-known American illustrator of his time. He passed away suddenly in 1911 while traveling in Italy.
Many of Pyle's students and supporters in Wilmington wanted to honor him. They included artists like Frank Schoonover and Stanley Arthurs. The museum's goal was to help people in Delaware learn about and enjoy fine arts.
From 1912 to 1922, the WSFA did not have its own building. It held yearly art shows at the Hotel duPont. These shows featured Pyle's work and art by his students. The Pyle Collection grew thanks to Willard S. Morse. He gave over 100 of Pyle's drawings to the WSFA. In 1922, the WSFA rented rooms in downtown Wilmington.
How the Museum Grew and Changed
In 1931, the family of Samuel Bancroft offered to donate their amazing collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. They also offered 11 acres of land for a new museum building. Bancroft's collection is the largest and most important of its kind in the United States. Even during tough economic times, the WSFA raised money for the new building.
The new building opened in 1938. At this time, the museum's name changed to the Delaware Art Center. The building was designed by Victorine & Samuel Homsey.
The WSFA moved into the Delaware Art Center in June 1938. The Wilmington Academy of Fine Arts ran art classes there. During World War II, fewer people visited the museum. In 1943, the Wilmington Academy of Fine Arts joined with the Delaware Art Center. This helped create the museum's education department. By 1954, over 500 students were taking classes.
The museum needed more space because its education programs grew so fast. In 1956, it expanded to add more studios and training areas. A donation from H. Fletcher Brown helped make this possible. Another update happened in 1970. This added air conditioning and humidity control to protect the art. In 1972, the museum received special recognition from the American Alliance of Museums. Soon after, it was renamed the Delaware Art Museum. This new name showed how much its art collections and programs had grown.
A big expansion in 1987 doubled the museum's size. But with more visitors and programs, another expansion was needed in 2005. During this time, the museum held some of its programs at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.
Explore the Museum's Art Collections
The Delaware Art Museum's collections mostly feature American art from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also has many works from the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The museum's core collection includes art by Howard Pyle and his students like N.C. Wyeth and Frank Schoonover.
Helen Farr Sloan, the wife of artist John French Sloan, made many donations starting in 1961. These donations added about 5,000 art pieces to the museum. Since the 1970s, the museum has also added art by modern artists. These include Jacob Lawrence, Louise Nevelson, and Jim Dine.
Pre-Raphaelite Art Collection
The Samuel and Mary R. Bancroft Pre-Raphaelite Collection is a highlight. It includes works by:
- Ford Madox Brown
- Edward Burne-Jones
- Julia Margaret Cameron
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- Frederick Sandys
- Elizabeth Siddal
- Marie Spartali Stillman
American Art from the 1800s
The museum features American art from the 19th century. This collection includes pieces by:
- Frederic Edwin Church
- Winslow Homer
- George Inness
- Raphaelle Peale
- Augustus Saint-Gaudens
American Illustration Art
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The museum has a strong collection of American illustration, especially from the "Golden Age of Illustration."
Howard Pyle and His Students
- Howard Pyle
- Frank Schoonover
- N.C. Wyeth
Other American Illustrators
- Charles Dana Gibson
- J. C. Leyendecker
- Thomas Nast
Early 20th Century American Art
This collection includes art from the early 1900s, including works by the Ashcan School artists.
- John Sloan
- Robert Henri
- George Luks
- Edward Hopper
- Jacob Lawrence
American Art After World War II
The museum also displays American art created after World War II.
The Helen Farr Sloan Library
When the Delaware Art Center opened in 1938, it had two separate libraries. One focused on Howard Pyle's collection. The other focused on Samuel Bancroft, Jr.'s books about Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art.
In 1978, Helen Farr Sloan donated her husband's (John French Sloan) writings and library. A combined library opened in 1985 and was named after Mrs. Sloan. It holds over 30,000 books and many personal papers and photos. These materials are related to John Sloan, Samuel Bancroft, Jr., and Howard Pyle. The library recently received a copy of The Flower Book by Edward Burne-Jones. In 2009, it also received a collection of over 2,000 beautifully bound books.
Copeland Sculpture Garden
The museum has a nine-acre sculpture garden behind the building. It features nine large sculptures. There's also an old reservoir that has been turned into a fun labyrinth.
Some cool sculptures include the 13-foot-tall bronze Crying Giant by Tom Otterness. Another is Three Rectangles Horizontal Jointed Gyratory III by George Rickey, which moves in the wind. Joe Moss created a sound sculpture that changes and distorts nearby sounds.
Special Exhibitions and Programs
The museum hosts about ten special exhibitions each year. These shows cover many different topics. They can feature famous modern artists or historical folk art from Delaware. Past exhibitions have shown works by Leonard Baskin, Maxfield Parrish, and John French Sloan. They have also included art from the Royal Holloway, University of London and African American art from the American Folk Art Museum.
Exhibitions have also featured art by Howard Pyle and The Flower Book by Edward Burne-Jones.
Art Classes and Workshops
The museum offers around 100 different art programs each year. These range from 8-week classes to 1-day workshops. They also have open studio times where you can create art. Special classes are available for adults, teenagers, and children. You can learn drawing, painting, photography, jewelry making, and ceramics.
See also
Artworks at the Museum
- Lady Lilith
- Love's Messenger, by Marie Spartali Stillman, 1885
- Mary Magdalene (Sandys)
