Virginia A. Logan
The holidays are a wonderful time to appreciate and rejoice in the good things we have in our lives.
Just over a year ago, the Brandywine Museum of Art faced one of the toughest challenges in the organization’s history when remnants of Hurricane Ida caused historic flooding, devastating our Chadds Ford campus and causing more than six million dollars in damages.
Following a three-month closure, the Brandywine was able to reopen in November 2021 — just in time for the holiday season — and has remained open since thanks to our dedicated staff and a tremendous outpouring of support from the community.
Sad note:Open Call: Wilmington Children’s Chorus leans on music while grapping with loss
While it was a busy year of flood recovery efforts, with still more to do in the years ahead, the Brandywine recently marked a major milestone with the completion of its first phase of flood work throughout the campus. As we find ourselves on stronger footing from the events of last year, it’s with much joy and excitement that we welcome and celebrate a new holiday season at the Brandywine.
Through January 8, our Brandywine Railroad holiday train display is celebrating 50 golden years. The iconic O-gauge model train display has been a cherished holiday tradition for generations of Museum visitors. First appearing on the scene in 1972 — just one year after the grand opening of the Museum — the Brandywine Railroad was an instant hit with visitors of all ages.
Through the years it has grown and evolved into a beloved display — more than double the size of that inaugural year! Today the Brandywine Railroad features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and includes more than 1,000 pieces, such as locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater and even a carnival.
Additional features to look out for this year include several small “Easter eggs” hidden throughout the display for the observant visitor, such as miniature depictions of the Brandywine Conservancy’s Laurels Preserve and the grounds of the Radnor Hunt Races, as well as a new scenic backdrop that surrounds the entire gallery.
Cultural jewels:Open Call: DSO reminds us of Delaware’s culture treasures, art’s capacity to transform
A dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains can be seen chugging through the varied scenery, including those made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. Plus, several interactive components are integrated to allow for further visitor engagement.
The holiday season also wouldn’t be complete without the Brandywine’s whimsical Critter ornaments adorning the trees in the Museum’s atrium. Each year since 1971, these distinctive ornaments have been carefully handcrafted by a dedicated group of volunteers using only natural materials such as teasel, pinecones, acorns, eggshells, flowers and seed pods.
Thousands of “classic Critter” favorites and fanciful new creations will be available for purchase during the annual Holiday Critter Sale, held offsite this year at the nearby Chadds Ford Historical Societ through Dec. 4. A selection of ornaments are also available for purchase online and can be shipped across the country by visiting www.brandywine.org/critters.
In addition to the holiday festivities, the Museum’s special exhibition, “Fragile Earth: The Naturalist Impulse in Contemporary Art,” is also on view. Spanning two galleries, “Fragile Earth” highlights the diverse approaches taken by four leading contemporary artists — Jennifer Angus, Mark Dion, Courtney Mattison and James Prosek — whose work engages with environmental themes.
More:Open Call: Arts & cultural groups, we want to hear from you
Every corner of this exhibition features striking works created in a variety of media by the four artists, from the monumental coral reef sculptures of Courtney Mattison to the surprising and beautiful insect art of Jennifer Angus. As we mark one year from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ida, this exhibition sparks a very timely conversation around stressors on the world’s ecosystem, while also immersing visitors in the beauty of our natural world.
Lastly, we always have an engaging variety of in-person and virtual events throughout the year for all ages. Coming up this holiday season, we look forward to welcoming back our popular train events, including “Breakfast with the Trains,” “Polar Express Read-Aloud Pajama Party,” and our “Sensory-Friendly Access Hours” for individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders to enjoy after-hours access to the Brandywine Railroad.
Through Jan. 8, the Museum will switch to extended holiday hours: open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day).
As we emerge with flying colors through what was a particularly challenging year, we are especially thrilled to welcome everyone back this holiday season!
Virginia A. Logan is executive director & CEO of Brandywine Museum of Art.
