Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington (must see)

Nestled along Wilmington’s Kentmere Parkway, the Delaware Art Museum stands as a dynamic cultural landmark rooted in over a century of artistic devotion. Founded in 1912 to honor beloved illustrator Howard Pyle, the museum originated as the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts and evolved from modest exhibitions at the Hotel du Pont into a robust institution boasting over 12,000 works. Rooted in American illustration and British Pre-Raphaelite art, the collection reflects national influence and local pride, thanks to patrons like Samuel Bancroft and Helen Farr Sloan. The museum’s 1938 opening, designed by Victorine & Samuel Homsey, made it a public art hub despite the Great Depression.

The museum’s holdings have steadily expanded, encompassing celebrated figures such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Frank Schoonover, and John Sloan, while also embracing modern voices like Jacob Lawrence, Louise Nevelson, and Jim Dine. Educational programming has been integral from the outset, growing from early art classes into a full-fledged department that now spans studio workshops, youth programs, and lectures. With additions in 1956, 1970, 1987, and most notably in 2005, the facility now features a café, museum store, children’s learning area, and the Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives-home to more than 30,000 volumes and extensive manuscript collections tied to the museum’s founding artists.

Beyond its walls, the museum’s 9-acre Copeland Sculpture Garden offers a contemplative retreat where large-scale works interact with nature. Visitors can explore the kinetic energy of George Rickey’s “Three Rectangles Horizontal Jointed Gyratory III,” encounter Tom Otterness’ monumental “Crying Giant,” or listen to Joe Moss’s sound sculpture, which playfully warps ambient noise. A former reservoir repurposed into a labyrinth adds to the immersive outdoor experience, bridging art and landscape in a uniquely meditative way.

Inside, the museum curates around ten special exhibitions each year, often highlighting regional artistry alongside national and international movements. Recent shows have celebrated artists ranging from May Morris to Maxfield Parrish, and from Fred Comegys to James Gurney. With its deep roots in Wilmington’s creative heritage and a forward-looking commitment to innovation and education, the Delaware Art Museum remains a vital space for artistic dialogue, discovery, and community connection.