Press Release

Woodmere Art Museum Welcomes Families with New Straw Maze and Weekly Art-Making Activities This Fall

World of Harry Potter inspires play and discovery through November 3

PHILADELPHIA — Woodmere Art Museum once again partners with architect and designer Peter Brown for the return of the popular Harry Potter straw maze. Dumbledore’s Powers will open for eight weekends from September 20 through November 3 and coincides with new children’s exhibitions and weekly art making activities.

Dumbledore’s Powers references the three legendary objects of the Deathly Hallows that Harry, Hermione and Ron pursue in J.K. Rowling’s books. Designed for families and children ages 4-11, visitors can climb inside Harry Potter’s world and go on their own adventure between 100-pound bales of straw. Designer Peter Brown also created the memorable 2011 Owl’s Eye and 2012 Diagon Alley mazes. The installation opens to visitors with a celebration on Friday, September 20 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Visitors are also welcome to explore the Helen Millard Children’s Gallery for The Inspiration of Words, two exhibits of children’s artwork that make connections between the spoken and written word and the visual arts. These exhibitions showcase work from The Dream@50, an art contest commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and Woodmere’s annual Community Art Project, which focused on “Fanciful Tales”. Whether reflecting on the legacy of a landmark speech or on timeless children’s stories, words spark the imagination and provide a platform for unbridled creativity and new ways of thinking. The Inspiration of Words is on view through October 20 and an opening reception will be held on Friday, September 20 during the opening celebration of Dumbledore’s Powers.

Woodmere Art Museum is located at 9201 Germantown Ave. Admission to special exhibitions is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and FREE for students, children and Museum members; exhibitions in the Founder’s Gallery and Helen Millard Children’s Gallery are FREE. Museum hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-8:45 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and free admission on Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit woodmereartmuseum.org or call 215-247-0476.

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

Straw Maze: Dumbledore’s Powers
Dates: September 20 – November 3
Times: Fridays, 6-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Opening Celebration: Friday, September 20, 6 – 8 p.m. FREE
Admission: $8 per child ages 4-11 (members, $6) or $20 for families of three or more (members, $18). Multiple weekend passes are available.

Weekly Art-Making Activities and Harry Potter Weekend
Dates: Sept. 20-Oct. 26 (Fridays, 6-7 p.m.; Saturdays, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; FREE with ticket to Straw Maze)

Every Friday and Saturday throughout the duration of the straw maze, Woodmere invites families to participate in weekly Art-Making Activities with a Dumbledore’s Powers theme. Activities on Oct. 18-19 will correspond with Chestnut Hill’s annual Harry Potter Weekend and will feature Cloaks of Invisibility, Marauder Mapmaking and Treats from the Trolley.

September 20-21: Design a Coat of Arms for a Hogwarts House
Sept. 27-28: Create your own Book of Spells
Oct. 4-5: Make Broomstick Bookmarks
Oct. 11-12: Make a Magic Eye like Mad Eye Moody
Oct. 18-19: Harry Potter Weekend Festival
Oct. 25-26: Mask Making Workshop and Pumpkin Painting

Children’s Exhibitions
The Inspiration of Words
August 25–October 20, Helen Millard Children’s Gallery
Reception: Friday, September 20, 6–8 p.m. Free admission.

About the client:

Housed in a 19th-century stone Victorian mansion on six acres in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Woodmere first opened its doors to the public in 1940. The building, grounds and the nucleus of the Permanent Collection are the benefactions of Charles Knox Smith (1845 – 1916), who wished “to awaken the spirit of, the appreciation of, and the knowledge of art … in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding territory.” Today, the Permanent Collection consists of more than 3,000 works of art, celebrating the art and artists of Philadelphia.

Woodmere’s core collection includes important paintings by renowned artists such as Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, Walter E. Schofield, Benjamin West, Frederic Edwin Church, Violet Oakley, Arthur B. Carles and many more. Woodmere’s nine galleries and salons, including a grand rotunda and a uniquely designated Helen Millard Children’s Gallery, provide space for exhibitions and programs that serve the entire family. In the George D. Widener Studio, a converted carriage house, a year-round roster of classes provides outstanding art training to children and adults. The recent addition of the Children’s Garden provides participants of Woodmere’s Summer Arts Community Program with outdoor space to display and enjoy works of art. The Helen Millard Children’s Gallery also showcases exhibitions of student artwork from local schools.

Visitor Information

Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Corner of Germantown Avenue and Bells Mill Road in Chestnut Hill

Museum Hours:

Beginning Sept. 8, Woodmere offers free admission on Sundays, including all special exhibitions, but excluding special events such as Classic Sundays music series.

Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m.-8:45 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: Special exhibitions are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, FREE for students, children and members. Related programs and events are FREE, unless otherwise noted.

Information: (215) 247-0476 or visit www.woodmereartmuseum.org

Accessible by public transportation: From Center City Philadelphia, take the R8 Chestnut Hill West regional rail train to the end of the line. Turn left on Germantown Avenue and walk for .8 miles to Woodmere. For detailed driving directions, click HERE.