The Copeland Sculpture Garden

A major focus of the Delaware Art Museum’s 2005 expansion is the transformation of the surrounding property into the region's first Sculpture Garden. A physical and visual continuum of the renovated Museum building, the Copeland Sculpture Garden presents nine works from the Museum’s permanent collection plus one work on loan.

The land for the Delaware Art Museum and its expansive Sculpture Garden was originally donated to the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts in 1935 by the family of Samuel Bancroft, Jr.  The purpose of this generous gift was to provide the necessary space to build a venue for displaying art, including Bancroft’s collection of British Pre-Raphaelite paintings.  This led to the opening of the Delaware Art Center in 1938, which became the Delaware Art Museum in 1972.

As visitors enter the Museum property from Kentmere Parkway, immediately ahead is Tom Otterness’s Crying Giant, a 13-foot tall bronze construction. Nearby, George Rickey’s Three Rectangles Horizontal Joined Gyratory II moves with the slightest breeze. Three Rectangles is on loan from the estate of George Rickey.

The sound sculpture Orifice II by area artist Joe Moss is specifically designed to manipulate the voices of those nearby. Isaac Witkin’s Wild Iris and Robert Stackhouse’s Delaware Passage are other favorites from the collection. Lin Emery’s kinetic work Dancer graces the front of the West Wing, and John van Alstine’s Slate Totem is situated in front of the East Wing. Walking paths guide visitors around the park.

Another feature of the Sculpture Park is the Fusco Reservoir, which measures 100 feet in diameter with 12-foot Brandywine granite walls. This outdoor venue offers a unique setting for artistic programs, musical and theatrical events, or quiet reflection.