Brandywine Valley Art Gallery Roundup 2025
Discover art shows, tours and exhibitions this spring
Spring has finally sprung, bringing sunny days, beautiful blooms and inspiring works by local artists from across the Brandywine Valley. County Lines country is blossoming with art shows, tours, exhibits and more events. It’s the perfect time to explore our area’s flourishing art scene.
We’ve rounded up area art galleries and events for you to explore, plus a self-guided tour of downtown West Chester’s murals. Of course, there’s more art on display at our local museums — see our Best Local Events section in this issue for details.
Mark your calendars for these exciting encounters with art.
52nd Annual Yellow Springs Art Show
A beloved spring tradition for over 50 years, the Yellow Springs Art Show returns April 26 to May 11. Explore an impressive collection of over 4,000 works of art by more than 200 juried artists in the historic Lincoln Building galleries, open daily from 10 to 4. The exhibition spans two floors, with the popular second-floor “mini” galleries showcasing small-scale pieces (11″x14″ or smaller) — great for new art collectors.
The show kicks off with an opening gala on Friday, April 25 from 6 to 9 p.m., when you can be one of the first to shop the 2025 collection while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and wine. Or visit during Happy Hour on Friday, May 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. for an evening of stunning artwork, delicious appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets for both events are available online.
Celebrate Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11) with Art Around the Village, a family-friendly day of artist demos, live music, kids activities, food trucks and more in the picturesque historic village. Maybe you’ll find the perfect gift for mom.
Admission is free, and proceeds from art sales support Historic Yellow Springs’ conservation projects, arts education and historical programs. 1685 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. YellowSprings.org.
West Chester Spring Gallery Walk
Discover a wide variety of artwork, connect with fellow creatives and find the perfect piece for your home at West Chester’s Spring Gallery Walk, Friday, May 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. Hosted by Downtown West Chester, this self-guided art tour includes free, on-street metered parking starting at 4 p.m.
Download or pick up a brochure at more than 20 participating locations to start your tour. Local galleries, including newly opened ArtSho on East Market Street, and “one-night-only” venues showcase some of Chester County’s talented artists. As an added bonus, presenting sponsor Founders Brewing Co. will provide beer at each location to sip while you survey the art.
After your tour, enjoy the start of the Gay Street Open-Air Market, which closes four blocks of Gay Street (Matlack to Darlington Streets) to vehicles on weekends through September 28. You’ve earned an al fresco dinner at one of the fine restaurants there!
For more fun, mark your calendar for the Fall Gallery Walk on Friday, October 3. DowntownWestChester.com.
17th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival
One of the longest-running outdoor painting events in the country, the Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival returns May 4 to 10. For six days, 32 artists from around the country travel across the region (within 30 miles of Wayne) to create 300 original works, drawing inspiration from the historical architecture and lush landscapes that make the Brandywine Valley so special. All paintings will be completed on site and from direct observation — in other words, en plein air.
The week culminates with the Collectors’ Preview & Sale, May 10 at the Wayne Art Center. Meet the artists, sample hors d’oeuvres, sip martinis flowing from a hand-sculpted ice luge and take in the sounds of live jazz. Over $25,000 in prizes will be awarded for the best paintings.
Throughout the festival and exhibition (on display until June 21), the Art Center hosts workshops, lectures, kids activities and more. On Mother’s Day (May 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), enjoy Minis and Mimosa for Mom — a special exhibition of miniature paintings featuring, of course, mimosas. See the full schedule of events and register online. 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne. WaynePleinAir.org.
Chester County Studio Tour
Celebrating 15 years, the Chester County Studio Tour showcases local artists across the county on May 17 and 18. Take a peek behind the scenes of 170 artists across 60 studios open to the public for the weekend. Artists will be available to discuss their works — painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay, glass, paper and fiber — with buyers and tourgoers, offering a glimpse into their creative processes.
Design your own self-guided tour on the County Studio Tour interactive website. Choose your favorite artists, click “Add to Itinerary,” and let Google Maps plot the most efficient route, providing turn-by-turn directions to each studio. Or use the “Find 5!” feature to find the five studios nearest you.
This year, get a sneak peak of the tour at the Chester County Art Association. “The Pre‘View’: Preview the Art of the Chester County Studio Tour” runs May 8 to 31, with an opening reception on May 8 from 5 to 7.
For a special keepsake, the County Collectors Series offers original framed 6”x6” artworks for $90. CountyStudioTour.com.
Art Gallery at Devon, Horse Show, That Is
In between events in the Dixon Oval, drop by the Art Gallery at Devon for a fine selection of art. See the Devon Horse Show article in this issue.
Local Art Galleries
During West Chester’s Gallery Walk and beyond, check out The Art Trust at Meridian Bank. On display through May 9, “Uncommon Nature” explores how contemporary artists see the natural world in fresh, unexpected ways while still capturing its raw beauty and sense of wonder, featuring 10 regional artists working across a variety of mediums. Next up is “Text Me,” May 14 to June 27, highlighting the powerful intersection of language and visual form, where written words become integral to expressing emotion, nuance and layered meaning. Visit during the artists’ reception (May 16, 5 to 8) or artists’ talk (June 5, 7 to 8). 16 W. Market St., West Chester. TheArtTrust.org.
Delaware’s Somerville Manning Gallery has two exciting shows this month. Running through May 10, “All the Blooms You Are” is a solo exhibition of work by Christine Lafuente, a still life and landscape oil painter known for her masterful use of color and painterly approach. Another solo exhibition, featuring work by Elizabeth Endres, will be on display May 16 to June 14. This is the gallery’s third solo show with Endres, following sold-out shows in 2021 and 2023. From gardens to tablescapes to botanical shapes, Endres paints from things remembered, familiar and collected, drawing inspiration from walks about, observing and wondering. 101 Stone Block Row, Greenville, DE. SomervilleManning.com.
In Haverford, the Main Line Art Center has two shows on view through June 7. The inaugural Judy Herman Members Exhibition showcases a range of works from the center’s members and teaching artists, including mosaics, photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, mixed media, jewelry and ceramics. The fifth annual Garden Sculpture Exhibition features the work of talented local artists, with sculptures thoughtfully placed around the center’s gardens. 746 Panmure Rd., Haverford. MainLineArt.org.
The Delaware Valley Art League is busy this month. See members’ artwork on display at Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Warden Front Lobby and Bodine Lobby through June 7, and view a special exhibition, “Portraits of Nature,” at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens in Devon through June 15. Or let your creative juices flow with plein air painting at Wallingford’s Pendle Hill, May 19 (rain date May 21) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. See more plein air dates and locations at DelawareValleyArtLeague.com.
At West Chester University, see award-winning work from some of the region’s most exciting young artists and designers at the 2025 Senior BFA Exhibition, May 1 to June 9 at the John H. Baker Gallery in the E.O. Bull Center for the Arts. This interdisciplinary exhibition showcases sculpture, painting, ceramics, drawing, printmaking and more, all curated by WCU students and faculty. While in E.O. Bull, drop by the Old Lockers Gallery, a new student-run gallery — “Lost and Found: A Student Exhibition by Mia Markford” opened April 22. 2 E. Rosedale Ave., West Chester. WCUPA.edu/Arts-Humanities.
Sunset Hill Fine Arts Gallery presents a captivating exhibit of large-scale photos by West Chester photographer Darci Goldberg, “Les Chevaux Blancs de Camargue.” Translating to “The White Horses of Camargue,” these unique wild horses have thrived for centuries in the harsh, uninhabited wetlands of the Rhone River delta in southern France. To capture their beauty and spirit, Goldberg traveled deep into their regional park sanctuary. The exhibit opens with a reception during West Chester’s Gallery Walk, May 2, 4 to 8 p.m. and runs through June 7. 23 N. High St., West Chester. SunsetHillJewelers.com.
While in downtown West Chester, drop by Ginkgo Arts, a community of artists that have their studios in the heart of the borough. Join them for Open Studio the first Friday of each month and enjoy beverages and snacks while browsing resident artists’ work, getting to know the artists and purchasing directly from them. And on Friday, May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., see “Oddly Enough,” a solo exhibition of self-portraiture by Annie Jean Linn. 21 S. High St., West Chester. GinkgoArtsWC.com.
Finally, look forward to Werring Contemporary’s newest show. “Emergence,” a captivating dual exhibition, showcases the transformative sculpture of Wendy Liss and the luminous glasswork of Laura Sallade. Hosted at Werring Contemporary’s satellite location at the Devon Design Center, “Emergence” opens with a reception on June 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. and runs through July 31. 111 Lancaster Ave., Devon. WerringContemporary.com.
More Art Outdoors in West Chester
After exploring our area’s many art galleries, step outside to find that art is all around you. In downtown West Chester, you’ll find several murals adorning the borough’s buildings.
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Care Center Foundation mural The Care Center Foundation mural, 127–129 S. Matlack St., painted by artist Paul Santoleri, depicts a mother and baby birds in a nest along with a butterfly, a symbol of hope.
- The Melton Center mural, 501 E. Miner St., was painted by artist Carrie Kingsbury and features Charles A. Melton, former executive director of the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center, founder Dr. Leslie Pickney Hill and longtime volunteer Bertha Williams Porter.
- The Fund for Women & Girls’ “Votes for Women” Suffrage Mural, 119 E. Market St., was painted by artist Kendra Beitzel to celebrate the 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
- The Friends Association mural, 113 W. Chestnut St., painted by West Chester University student artist Noah Burns, commemorates the nonprofit’s 200th anniversary.
- The Master’s Baker mural, 319 W. Gay St., painted by local artist Erica Dehart, features a scene of downtown West Chester, native Pennsylvania flowers and, fittingly, cakes.
Additionally, the West Chester Public Arts Commission hopes to create a new mural for the borough’s 225th anniversary featuring historic photographs. Follow them on Instagram @WCPublicArts.
