Building the House of Wisdom: A Closer Look at Violet Oakley

 

In 1911, Violet Oakley (1874 – 1961) created a mural cycle, The Building of the House of Wisdom, for the central hall of the mansion of Charlton Yarnall at 17th and Locust Streets in Philadelphia. The murals were painted on canvas shapes that were inserted into the architectural structure.

Chestnut Hill House Evolves into a Home for Art

Chestnut Hill House Evolves into a Home for Art 
By James Weaver

Some people have called it the “Addam’s House” because it resembles the house in the television show The Addams Family. Actually, no one knows where the name of the handsome Victorian mansion at the corner of Bells Mill Road and Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, originated. Charles Knox Smith (1845-1916), a prominent Philadelphia businessman (oil brokerage and gold and silver mining in Mexico) and member of the Philadelphia Common Council (before it became City Council) acquired the house and grounds in 1901. Built sometime before 1867, it was already called “Woodmere” and the name stuck. Smith was the fourth owner. He was living in the city’s Kensington neighborhood at the time, but he was rapidly outgrowing his space. He had become interested in art and art collecting and his collection was growing.

Bonjour! Paris is in the air!

Violet Oakley
(American, 1874-1961). Lady with a
Fan, 1895, oil on canvas, 28 x 18 in.

Paris is reborn in Philadelphia! 

We are incredibly excited to be participating in the long-awaited Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). As part of this collaboration, Woodmere will be enjoying an evening Jazz series the first of which will be held this Friday, April 8 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. In celebration of our new exhibitions Charles Demuth in the City of Lights and Violet Oakley and the Women Artists of Paris, french wines and cheeses will available along with a performance by the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. So come out and have some fun this Friday night! Oui, s'il vous plaît!

Looking for a place to have dinner before heading to Woodmere on Friday? Check out the restaurants along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. Great shops, great food, great art, and great music all in one night!

New Exhibitions at Woodmere!

PHILADELPHIA – Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia’s premier institution for interpreting the art and culture of the Philadelphia region, announces the opening of five new exhibitions on Sunday, April 3 alongside a full calendar of engaging programs, including a Friday evening jazz series in April, children’s activities, and lectures. The museum will also introduce new visiting hours including extended evening and weekend hours, beginning April 3.

New museum hours (as of April 3) are: Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m.–8:45 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Woodmere is located at 9201 Germantown Avenue in the historic cobblestoned Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Admission to special exhibitions is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and FREE for students and children. For visitor information, call (215) 247-0476 or visit www.woodmereartmuseum.org.

Woodmere Art Museum will present two exhibitions in conjunction with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) – Charles Demuth in the City of Lights, which explores the work of one of America’s greatest modernists, and Violet Oakley and the Women Artists of Paris, which offers an intimate look at the Philadelphia/Mt. Airy illustrator, muralist, and stained glass artist.