Woodmere presents “Arc of Promise,” a landmark exhibition exploring how Philadelphia’s artists have envisioned “America” as an idea, from the nation’s founding to today. On view from June 20 through November 8, 2026, “Arc of Promise” is presented in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Drawing largely from Woodmere’s permanent collection, the exhibition spans the 1790s to the present, bringing together paintings, sculptures, and works on paper that reflect the ever-renewed ideal of the American experiment. Works depicting maps and flags, alongside social and allegorical representations from the 18th through the 21st centuries, are placed in dialogue—revealing how Philadelphia’s artists across generations have grappled with questions of national identity and freedom.
The exhibition’s title is inspired by the late Philadelphia-born artist and Germantown native, Jerry Pinkney (1939–2021), whose concept of the “arc of promise” acknowledged America’s painful histories—slavery, displacement, and injustice—while affirming the nation’s capacity for renewal. Pinkney’s vision, grounded in optimism and equity, frames the exhibition’s central premise: that the promise of America is not fixed, but continuously reimagined by those who believe in its unfolding potential. Pinkney’s works, including Jackie Robinson as a Brooklyn Dodger (1982)-first issued as a 20- cent commemorative stamp-will be on display, as well as historical works such as Portrait of Mary McLeod, a sculptural bust of the Black education advocate by African American artist Selma Burke–now recognized as the woman behind the design of the American dime (December 31, 1900 – August 29, 1995).
Alongside historical holdings from Woodmere’s collection, and several important works on loan, will be pieces by Philadelphia artists living and working across the city today, including protest photography by Harvey Finkle and a mixed-media, handcrafted necklace by artist and member of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, Teri Hislop (b. 1962). At the heart of the exhibition, Henry Bermudez’s Miss America (2019) is presented as a key focal work offering a layered vision of America through themes of migration, mythology, and identity. It will be juxtaposed with Hiram Powers’ America, a marble bust by the neoclassical sculptor, portraying nineteenth-century America as a Greek goddess. The figure was Powers’ representation of America’s newfound freedom; the thirteen original states reflected in the stars on her crown.
“Arc of Promise” also serves as the centerpiece of Woodmere’s participation as the Philadelphia anchor for Church200, a nationwide celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of leading landscape painter Frederic Church and honoring his lasting impact on American art. Woodmere’s celebrated painting, Sunset in the Berkshire Hills (1857), which was part of founder Charles Knox Smith’s collection, and in its original, magnificent frame, will be a highlight of the exhibition. The museum will host extensive programming on Church, drawing art historians, curators, and collectors of American art from across the country.
About Woodmere
Nestled in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Woodmere offers a unique museum experience that centers on the art and artists of Philadelphia. Vibrant exhibitions explore the achievements and social ideas of Philadelphia’s artists in the broader context of American art; Woodmere prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in its collecting, programming, and admission policies.
In November 2025, Woodmere opened a second site named Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art and Education, alongside its existing Charles Knox Smith Hall location. Marking Woodmere’s most significant expansion since its founding in 1910, the opening of the second site adds 14 new galleries showcasing Woodmere’s permanent collection, featuring American Impressionism, figurative arts, modernism, and Philadelphia’s jewelry arts. The expansion also introduces a children’s art and education studio, along with new public spaces for events and programs.