Wilmington, DE – The Delaware Art Museum is celebrating the holiday season with its annual Museum Store sale and Winter Arts Festival, a special holiday-themed Family 2nd Sunday, performances by the popular Cartoon Christmas Trio, and spectacular handmade holiday decorations created by the Delaware Art Museum Council.
The Museum kicks off the season with its annual Museum Store holiday sale on Sunday, December 1. On this date, shoppers will receive 20 percent off their purchase on a variety of giftable items, including books, whimsical ornaments, custom stationary, unique toys, and more. From December 2 through December 8, guests will receive 10 percent off their purchase (and 20 percent for Museum Members.)
The shopping season will continue when the Museum’s free Winter Arts Festival returns on Friday, December 13 (noon – 8:00 p.m.) and Saturday, December 14 (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) This year’s Festival includes live music by local choirs and the following 19 artisans:
– Irina’s Original – Wearable Art
– Anna Biggs Designs – Hand carved Gold and Silver Jewelry
– John A. Styer – Turned Wood
– Alley Cat Jewelry Studios – Handcrafted Beaded Jewelry
– Mary Jardin Wimberly – Watercolor
– Deborah Flanagan – Jewelry
– East Coast Sweets – Hand Crafted Artisan Chocolates
– Lara Ginzburg – Art Jewelry
– Linda Majewski – Paper Botanicals
– Kara Hinson – Watercolor
– Arcus by Joy Smoker-Liedel – Handmade Jewelry
– Robert Jenkins – Watercolor
– Angela Colasanti of VIELA Jewelry – Sterling Silver Jewelry
– Handmade Modern Accessories – Metal & Clay Jewelry, Alpaca Blend Knits, Cotton Sewn Goods
– Taste Artisanal Market – Homemade spreads, honeys, and chutneys
– Heather Ossandon – Pottery
– Debbie Hegedus – Clay Pottery & Sculpture
– Museum Council Makers – Handmade Holiday Gifts
– The Museum Store will feature additional artists’ works including pieces by Distinguished Artist, Mitch Lyons.
Family 2nd Sundays, a monthly program sponsored by the Delaware Art Museum Council, is a drop-in day of activities and programs for families with children ages 0-12. The December 8 Family 2nd Sunday will include special holiday-themed art-making activities—which will make perfect gifts for grandparents and other family members!
Back by popular demand, the Cartoon Christmas Trio, which has made live appearances on NBC, ABC, and NPR, will again perform at the Museum on Sunday, December 15 and Saturday, December 21. Assembled in 1995 by bassist Rob Swanson, the Trio’s sole focus is compositions from classic Christmas cartoons—particularly the music of Vince Guaraldi, composer of the “Peanuts” soundtracks. The performance on Sunday, December 15 will include the Wilmington Children’s Chorus and a special performance by internationally renowned baritone Grant Youngblood, who will sing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The performance on Saturday, December 21 will include the Tatnall Lower School Children’s Choir. Both performances start at 7:00 p.m. and are $10 per person (free for children ages 6 and under). Tickets are available online at delart.org.
As a special treat for Museum visitors, the Delaware Art Museum Council has again created magical holiday decorations. Using mostly white Tyvek paper, a DuPont product made of high density polyethylene fibers typically used as energy-efficient building wrap, these spectacular, hand-made decorations include sculptural “chandeliers” in Fusco Grand Hall, as well as large trees in East Court. These up-cycled decorations are all made from waste ends of specialty cut commercial orders that were given to the Museum by DuPont. The decorations will be up through early January 2020.