The Brandywine Valley may be known for its artistic tradition, but it is the people who inhabit its beautiful landscapes who have created an art scene that transcends expectations. Reflecting on what has come before and what is ahead brings one thing to light: that community is truly what makes the region special.
“The art scene has changed over the years,” said someone who should be familiar to all readers of this publication—Rich Schwartzman, editor of Chadds Ford Live. “There was a time even after I started covering the area when so much was the stereotypic ‘buckets, barns, and daisies.’”
That has evolved in his decades of writing about local news, photographing the sights, and ensuring locals are in the know. As he noted, “now there is more diversity,” with artists both known and new on display throughout the area.
The wide variety of art and artists on display in the galleries, festivals, and events in recent years has been a frequent discussion. Efforts to ensure many voices are heard and shown have led to fantastic shows and exhibitions all year long, and many are in the works for the future.
“What I love about the current art landscape of the Brandywine region is that over the past two decades, I have seen a broadening of the artistic palette of the area,” said Lele Galer, a local artist who also wrote arts columns in Chadds Ford Live in the past. “This area is now not only known for its Wyethesque paintings of bucolic Chester County scenes (barns, stone houses, etc.) but also abstract paintings, clay art, wood and steel sculpture, and one weekend installations.”
Galer has been a part of that evolution and is hopeful about its impact. “The area has welcomed a new influx of artists who are expressing themselves in every medium, and that is exciting,” she said. “It is wonderful that we can embrace the heritage of the area, the generations of Wyeths, and the Howard Pyle school of illustrators, for example, but artists are also thriving here and enjoying experimentation with a variety of mediums and ways of engaging the public.”
Community is a common theme, as new generations of artists eschew insular studios and create spaces to come together to share resources, knowledge, and encouragement. “I love the community of artists in the Brandywine area because they are a cooperative and supportive group of creatives,” said Veronica Batter, president of Aston Mill Arts. “We build each other up and encourage each other to grow.”
“I am impressed by the vibrant spirit of collaboration in the Brandywine Valley,” said Jason Brudereck, Communications Manager of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. “We've prioritized community outreach, and the response from the diverse arts organizations in the Brandywine Valley has been nothing short of enthusiastic, creating a ripple effect of shared passion and support. It's heartening to witness the collective commitment to fostering a thriving artistic community, where creativity knows no bounds and collaboration becomes the cornerstone of our cultural landscape.”
Tracy Taylor, founder and teacher at Free Range Art Classes, witnesses that spirit in artists of all ages. “I love that our current art scene is accessible in all walks of life,” she said. “The Brandywine Valley seems to value art and it's rich history here.” That brings a vibrancy to the local art culture: “There are artists at every bend, painting, teaching classes, and mixing art with history through tours, events, and products. The current culture of collaborating and making art accessible to all is an amazing trend that I hope continues to grow bigger and bigger.”
Artist Annette Alessi, who is a member of the Painter’s Folly Studios said, “I just love that I have this great land so easily accessible to paint. We are very fortunate to live so close to the breathtaking landscapes of the Brandywine Valley and Wyeth country such as Granogue, the Kuerner Farm, Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Hagley Museum, and more.”
Valetta, director of the Regional Center for Women in the Arts, said “Over the years, abstract work, surrealist, conceptual, and even performance work has become part of the landscape in galleries, museums and ‘out of the box’ venues.” She has seen and been a part of that evolution, as the art scene “has become inclusive, allowing art in all its forms to exist in harmony.”
Judging by the jam-packed schedule of events, exhibitions, festivals, shows, and more coming in the next year, the Brandywine Valley has many more art adventures ahead. Galer says it simplest and best: “It is a great place to be an artist.”
About Victoria Rose
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
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