EXHIBITIONS

Click the event titles to register or for more information.

Mary Putman: Art is About Us

On View February 16 - March 26

Book Launch & Reception

Thursday, March 2 | 5 – 7 PM

For Delaware-based painter Mary Putman, art is—and has always been—about us. Putman’s paintings explore the vast and complicated interconnections between the land and its occupants meticulously depicting the world in which she and we all live, often with unusual and sometimes surprising perspectives.

In conjunction with this exhibition, the Biggs and The University of Delaware have collaborated on a book celebrating the life and art of Mary Putman.  Mary will be on hand for the launch event, and examples of her work will be on view and open to the public this evening. Join us for a casual reception, light refreshments, and a chance to speak with the artist.

Books will be available for purchase for $20. Member $18.

Free Event - Registration requested.

Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul

On View March 17 - June 19

Opening Reception

Thursday March 16 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM

With work spanning five decades, iconic photographer Larry Hulst has captured the freewheeling energy of live music and the enduring visual spectacle of rock’s greatest performers. From Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix to David Bowie and Lauryn Hill, Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul brings together over 70 images of legendary musicians and singers across three genres and generations. The exhibition charts Hulst’s extraordinary path through the pulsing heart of the most exciting live music of the last century, showcasing a unique visual anthology of rock, blues, and soul music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. 

Front Row Center grants viewers an all-access pass to some of the most memorable performances in popular music history.

Join us at the Opening Reception for your backstage pass to the exhibition.

 

Standard admission fees apply. Registration requested.

Programs

LECTURES

Mary Putman:

Art Is About Us Lecture 

Saturday, March 25 | 1 PM - 2 PM

In this special Women's History Month talk, Dr. Kristen Nassif will explore the captivating landscape paintings of the Delaware-based artist Mary Putman. The presentation will broadly cover Putman's career as a working artist as well as closely explore some of her key paintings of Delaware and the surrounding area. This talk compliments a selection of Putman's artworks on view at the Biggs Museum, as well as a publication related to her paintings, Mary Putman: Art is About Us.

Get to Know the Speaker:

Kristen Nassif is the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow at The Walters Art Museum. She received her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Delaware in 2022. Her research focuses on nineteenth-century American art, visual culture, material culture, and disability history. Her recent publications include a chapter on John Haberle in The Routledge Companion to Art and Disability, catalog essays for the Thyssen-Bornemisza’s exhibition “Hyperreal. The Art of Trompe l´Oeil,” and forthcoming essays for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Bloomsbury Cultural History. She had the pleasure of contributing the main essay for the Biggs Museum of American Art's publication Mary Putman: Art is About Us.

$15 | Members $12 Registration requested. 

Once Upon a Time in '69:

Woodstock Story Time with Miss Jackie

Thursday, March 30 | 6 PM - 7 PM

Embrace your inner earth child and join Miss Jackie’s sharing circle for a Biggs-exclusive tale. You may know Miss Jackie and her guitar from her children’s story hour but rest assured, this tale is NOT for kids, just the young-at-heart.

The year was 1969. The United States found itself in a time of turmoil, and for a brief moment the country’s youth came together and escaped into music.

 

Miss Jackie was there, but not as a normal partaker of the Woodstock experience. As a young teen, she sat at the front of the stage as part of the crowd, wandered behind the scenes, and flew in the helicopter with Jimi Hendrix. Join us as she shares her unique experience at the event that defined a generation. 

$15 | Members $ 12 Registration requested. 

CLASSES & WORKSHOP

Teen and Adult Studio: Life Drawing at the Delaware Rock Gym

Wednesday, March 15 | 5:30 PM - 8 PM

Explore models in action with this exclusive opportunity to draw rock climbers at the Delaware Rock Gym. Meet your Biggs Museum team on location at 520 Carson Drive, Bear where they will give you an introduction to the gym’s rules and guide you through effective life drawing practice. All the while new and seasoned rock climbers will be doing their thing on the walls around you.

Please note: if you wish to take a seat in amongst the climbers on the mats you may only use pencil. If you choose to stay at the tables or on the tile charcoal and pastel may be used. No other mediums will be allowed in this life drawing workshop.

 Materials will be provided by the Biggs Museum or you may use your own.

$25 | Members $20 Registration required. 

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY

Do More 24 Delaware

March 2 – 3 | 6 PM -6 PM (24 hours only!)

Do More 24 Delaware is Delaware’s Giving Day Powered by United Way of Delaware and Spur Impact. For 24 hours from 6 p.m. March 2nd through 6 p.m. March 3rd we’re asking you to do more with us. Please give to the Biggs through Do More 24 Delaware to help us stretch your gifts farther. Your contribution will help us defray operating costs and continue to offer cost free community-based programs such as Biggs Weekend, free educational tours, scholarships to Children's Summer Camps, special programs that foster and support accessibility and inclusion, and more. 

Because it’s time sensitive, register for a reminder to give through Do More 24 Delaware CLICK HERE

GUIDED TOURS

Free Tour: Women of the Biggs

Friday March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 | 11:30 AM

 Saturday March 4, 11, 18, 25 | 2 PM

Celebrate Women’s History Month with us. Enjoy a 1-hour tour highlighting some of our favorite pieces created by female artists. This tour is included with your admission and differs from docent to docent, so every tour is unique. If you would like to join, please gather in the Child Help Gallery at the designated time to meet your docent.

Included with Admission – No Registration Required

FREE ADMISSION DAYS

BIGGS WEEKEND

March 3, 4 & 5 | 11 AM - 4 PM

BIGGS WEEKEND keeps getting BIGGER! Now including Friday- Saturday and Sunday! Join us for – three consecutive days of free admission and exciting programs, workshops and tours, the first weekend of each month.

WALK-IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Community Art Workshop

Saturday, March 4, 2023 | 11 AM - 2 PM

Inspired by the exhibition Mary Putman: Art is About Us, join us to explore architecture and self-identity during this unique creative studio time

Free Event - No Registration Required

Spanish Language Family Programming

Sunday, March 5, 2023 | 11 AM - 2 PM

Extend the excitement of First Saturday for another day. Enjoy the museum with FREE admission and creative workshops with a twist. On Sundays we speak Spanish! That's right, the workshops and excursions will be offered in Spanish every Sunday.

The workshops offer fun for the whole family through manual arts for all ages. Each month, these workshops will explore different themes to foster an ongoing artistic journey for children and adults. 

Free Event - No Registration Required

Extienda la excitación de First Saturday por otro día. Disfrute el museo con admisión GRATIS y talleres creativos con un giro. ¡Los domingos hablamos español! Así es, los talleres van a ser ofrecidos en español todo los domingos.

 

Los talleres ofrecen diversión para toda la familia a través de artes manuales para todas las edades. Cada mes, estos talleres exploraran diferente temas para fomentar un viaje artístico en curso para niños y adultos. Visitas sin cita son bienvenidas en el estudio entre 11:00am – 2:00pm.

Los Domingo hablamos espanol! You will find fun for the whole family with new art workshops taking place each month in our Child HELP studio.

Sunday Serenade: Live Music at the Museum

Sunday, March 18, 2023 | 12 PM - 2 PM

Immerse yourself in a multi-sensory experience at the Biggs. Wander through our galleries while listening to live music uniquely curated to accompany your visit. The Sunday Serenade experience is complimentary add-on to your weekend visit, no additional fees apply.

Joe Baione will be playing the Vibraphone.

Included with admission. No reservation required