West Chester Arts, Culture
and Entertainment
From dance classes to theatrical performances to gallery displays in its historic downtown, West Chester's culture is rich and diverse, and its support of the arts is steadfast. In the summer, residents flock to downtown West Chester for Swingin' Summer Thursdays, where local musicians provide live entertainment while the sun sets.
The Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester hosts two annual Gallery Walks on the first Fridays of June and October. Visitors can view a variety of art, from paintings to jewelry. Downtown West Chester has 11 galleries that host an eclectic array of works by both local and international artists.
West Chester is home to the American Helicopter Museum, located in the former MBB Helicopter Plant hangar adjacent to the Brandywine Airport. The museum's exhibits and collections are comprised of more than 35 helicopters, autogiros and convertiplanes. The museum offers several pre-school through fifth grade educational programs, including a special summer camp where kids learn the fundamentals of flight while designing, building and flying their own gliders.
The Brandywine River Museum exhibits American art in a 19th-century gristmill, and is renown for its collection of works by three generations of Wyeths and its fine collection of American illustration, still life and landscape painting. The Chester County Art Association (a non-profit cultural organization based in West Chester) offers several cultural events throughout the year, exhibitions and community outreach programs. The association also offers classes in drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, stone and clay sculpture, printmaking and jewelry.
For the best in contemporary and classical concerts, the nationally renowned West Chester University School of Music hosts a number of free performances throughout the year. In addition, the West Chester Band - comprised of more than 60 residents of Chester County - performs throughout the summer at Longwood Gardens, Rose Tree Park and in the New Holland Summer Concert series.
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