Wharton Esherick Museum

In light of rising coronavirus cases in our area, we are pausing our tour operations for the remainder of our 2020 season and will remain closed through January and February. The safety of our guests, staff, and community is our highest priority and we look forward to being able to welcome you back in the spring. While we’re closed for tours, we encourage you to stay connected with us! You can browse our Collection Highlights, explore the Notes from the Studio blog, or join us for an upcoming virtual program all from home! Visit: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/explore/

Attention Art Teachers! The deadline for Imprint 2021, our annual high school printmaking competition, is approaching! Open to high schools in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, and Philadelphia Counties, this competition celebrates the important role printmaking played in Esherick’s development as an artist and encourages new generations to explore the art form. Finalists will be selected for an online exhibition this spring! The deadline for classes to su...bmit work is February 15, 2021. For details visit: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org//the-annual-wharton-esh/ Artwork pictured here by Sophie Dobson, Abington Senior High School, from Imprint 2018. #woodcutwednesday

Join us for our next Spotlight Talk on January 26 as we highlight the Esherick family portrait plates created by Esherick’s good friend, the artist Henry Varnum Poor! Poor and Esherick had a great friendship with many parallels in their creative pursuits - along with sailing adventures as seen in this great archival photo (Esherick on the left, and Poor studiously sketching on the right). In this fast and fun 20-minute program we'll focus on these plates as a window into the two artists' connection. To join us register at: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org//spotlight-talk-henry-v/

Today we gathered in virtual space with our amazing team of volunteers, keeping alive the tradition of our Annual Volunteer Party! While we couldn't gather in the 1956 Workshop this year, it was great to have a laugh with these lovely people who give their time and energy -- and enthusiasm for Esherick's creations -- so generously. When the days finally return where we can open for tours, these folks are the very best. Here's to a wonderful team!

Today at 3pm! Join us for a virtual conversation with artist and woodworker Keunho Peter Park. Register on our website for details on how to join!

A good New Year's resolution for anyone: Start off the year with a sense of balance! #WoodcutWednesday "The Nanny Goat" from 'Rhymes of Early Jungle Folk'... 1922 Wharton Esherick Wharton Esherick Museum Collection See more

The 44th Annual PMA Online Craft Show is on! Featuring over 150 artists, the show kicked off with a virtual Preview Party last night and we were delighted to award our Annual Wharton Esherick Museum Prize for Excellence in Wood to Larissa Huff and Rob Spiece of Lohr Woodworking. Based in Schwenksville, PA, Larissa and Rob combine their exceptional craftsmanship to create furniture that is both beautifully designed and brilliantly functional. Congrats!

Like many of you, we have been reflecting in recent days on the enormous legacy that Bob Bascom has left here at the Museum. In addition to our recent memorial post, Remembering Mansfield Bob Bascom, we created a memorial page on our website to share memories and photos of Bob as we honor his life and legacy at the museum. We invite you to share your own memories and photos of Bob to help us celebrate his life. Visit: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/memorial-mansfield-bob-b/

It is with deep sadness we share the news that Mansfield Bob Bascom, Co-Founder of the Wharton Esherick Museum, passed away on Monday, October 26 at the age of 96. Mansfield Bascom, known to so many simply as Bob, was an unwavering pillar of dedication to the Esherick Museum and the preservation of Wharton Esherick’s legacy for nearly fifty years. Alongside his wife, Ruth Esherick Bascom, Mansfield helped found his father-in-law’s home and studio as a museum in 1972. He se...rved as Director of the museum, with Ruth serving as President, until 1990, and served as Curator until 2007. Since first stepping foot in the Studio, Bob gave every ounce of his ingenuity and conviction to see the Museum succeed and promote the singular influence and brilliance of Esherick's creations, and for that we will be forever grateful. You can read our memorial post 'Remembering Mansfield Bob Bascom' here: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/remembering-mansfield-bo/

Interpreting an artist's studio takes a unique approach! Join us next month as we dive into this topic with Diana Greenwold of the Winslow Homer Studio and Portland Museum of Art!

We have a winner! Our new notecard is Esherick's woodcut "Alabama-Pine," available now in our online shop: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/product/notecards/ Thanks for helping us choose between so many great prints! #WoodcutWednesday

We are feeling particularly excited for the opening of the 2020 Renwick Invitational here at WEM, as our Director of Curatorial Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, Emily Zilber served as a guest curator for the show! Congrats to the artists, curators, and all involved in this amazing exhibition!

These overcast days feel perfect for exploring the books on Esherick’s shelves both the real ones and the miniature ones he painted on his furniture models! In just this section alone we can find a mix of art, architecture, playwrights, progressive economists, Harlem Renaissance authors, and the collected histories of laborers during the Great Depression. Recognize any titles from your own library? For those well-worn covers:... The People, Yes - by Carl Sandburg Gypsy Moth Circles the World - by Sir Francis Chichester and a biography of #georgebernardshaw Check out our recent ‘Notes from the Studio’ blog post for more reflections on Esherick’s library at: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/so-storied-a-house/

The Library Ladder is among Esherick's best known and most celebrated designs, considered a seamless melding of function with sculptural presence. You can explore this iconic piece and other familiar favorites though our Collection Highlights! Visit: https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/ex/collection-highlights/

There's still a few days left to vote for our new notecard design! We've whittled it down (haha) to four favorites, but the final choice is up to you. Choose your favorite of the woodcuts seen here Alabama Pine March The Manure Spreader A Bright Night... Winter Field And follow this link to vote! https://forms.gle/jAcaA1h3KQPFScmv5 We’ll be collecting votes through October 10th. Thanks for participating, everyone! #woodcutwednesday

Phoenixville Public Library continues to serve the community this fall with a variety of free, virtual programs - and we're excited to be on the schedule!

#FlashbackFriday to Esherick’s efficient little kitchen added in 1940! This area served as Esherick’s entire cooking area for over 25 years -- along with the downstairs fireplace where he cooked his steaks -- until the addition of the kitchen that visitors to the Studio see today. A great example of Esherick designing the Studio to his needs, on a very human scale. Would this be enough kitchen space for you?

It’s time for a new notecard design here at the Wharton Esherick Museum, and as we’ve done in the past, we’re turning it over to you to help us decide! Choose your favorite of the four woodcuts seen here Alabama Pine March The Manure Spreader A Bright Night... Winter Field And follow this link to vote! https://forms.gle/jAcaA1h3KQPFScmv5 We’ll be collecting votes through October 10th. Thanks for participating, everyone! #woodcutwednesday

Looking for a little weekend reading? Our latest blog post, written by Esherick Museum docent and Board Member Ron McColl, reflects on Esherick's Studio through a literary lens!