Coming off Woodmere’s most transformative year since Charles K. Smith opened the Museum doors in 1913, the opening of Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art & Education in November has redefined Woodmere’s presence and potential. Maguire Hall represents the transformation of the historic Chestnut Hill estate into a dynamic, 21st-century cultural destination devoted to the arts of Philadelphia. With 17,000 square feet of gallery and public space, and four acres of preserved green space, the new facility introduces 14 galleries, an art studio for children, and public spaces for programming and events, making Woodmere an even more vibrant community hub for creativity, education, and engagement.

As our community and city grapple with challenges of development and cultural preservation, Woodmere offers a success story. The future of museums, I believe, lies in honoring the past, engaging in the present, and looking ahead to welcome the next generation.

Our beloved original building, Charles Knox Smith Hall, will continue to be the home for our founder’s exceptional collection of Hudson River and 19th-century art, alongside our special exhibitions. Currently, visitors can experience the incredible Sound, Soul, and Voice: The Art of Jerry Pinkney through Feb. 15. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that Syd Carpenter: Planting in Place, Time, and Memory, a comprehensive retrospective celebrating over 50 years of the beloved ceramic artist’s influential career, will open on Jan. 24.

As we move into 2026, the focus of the nation turns to Philadelphia as we mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Right here, in the birthplace of this country, Woodmere will commemorate this historical landmark with a groundbreaking exhibition, Arc of Promise, which will explore how Philadelphia’s artists have envisioned “America” as an idea, from the nation’s founding to today. Drawing largely from Woodmere’s collection, the exhibition will include works from the 1790s up to the present. Paintings, sculptures, and works on paper reflect the ever-renewed ideal of the American experiment. Art with depictions of maps, flags, and both social and allegorical representations grapple with questions of national identity and freedom.

The title is inspired by the optimism espoused by Philadelphia-born artist Jerry Pinkney (1939–2021). His notion of the “arc of promise” acknowledges painful elements in America’s past, but looks to the future of affirmation, greater equity, and capacity for renewal. This vision frames the exhibition’s central idea that the promise of America is not fixed but continuously reimagined by those who believe in its unfolding potential.

Our commitment to showcasing the depth of Philadelphia’s art community continues throughout 2026. In the spring, we are partnering with the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for an exciting exhibition, Bodies and Souls: Gifts from Robert and Frances Coulborn Kohler, opening on March 14. Later in the year, we will host a vibrant showing of the works of renowned artist Moe Brooker.

And, of course, the energy of our expanded footprint will fuel our ongoing programming, including our Friday Night Jazz series, Tuesday Nights at the Movies, thought-provoking lectures, and dynamic art classes for all ages.

The opening of Frances M. Maguire Hall has dramatically expanded Woodmere’s capacity to inspire the creativity of our community. We invite you to be part of our next great chapter as we forge ahead with these big plans for 2026. We look forward to seeing you in the galleries!